Ever since version 1.0, the iPhone has automatically backed itself up every time an iTunes sync was started. The feature makes sense on a phone and has definitely saved my bacon quite a few times. However, with the

iPhone 2.0 update, the backup feature has gotten arguably out of hand. Most users report obnoxiously long

backup times which make it extremely frustrating to refresh your iPhone’s information.

So if you’re tired of automatic backups that take forever, here’s how to disable them.

For Windows users:
First, grab a copy of Notepad++. The standard apps that come with

Windows won’t work well for editing the iTunesPrefs.xml file.

To apply this hack, you’ll be editing the iTunesPrefs.xml, which is generally found at C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes. You may need to enable hidden folders if you don’t see the “Application Data” folder.

1. Quit
   iTunes
2. Make a
   backup of iTunesPrefs.xml. If you mess up, you’ll wish you had a
   backup, so it’s a good idea to make one.
3. Open iTunesPrefs.xml using Notepad++
4. Search for “User Preferences” without the quotes and you should find something like “<key>User Preferences</key>”
5. Right below the first <dict> that comes after “<key>User Preferences</key>”, paste the following:
   

   <key>AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled</key>
   <data>
   dHJ1ZQ==
   </data>

   Your results should look something like this:
   

6. Save the file and open
   iTunes. If all went well, your
   iPhone will sync, but it won’t back up. To back up manually, right click your
   iPhone in the source list and choose “Back Up”.

For Mac Users
Things are a little easier here. :]

1. Quit
   iTunes
2. Open Terminal (HD -> Applications -> Utilities)
3. Paste in the following and hit return:
   

   defaults write com.apple.

   iTunes AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true

4. That’s it! Next time your
   iPhone syncs, it won’t back up. To back up manually, right click your
   iPhone in the source list and choose “Back Up”.

To re-enable

automatic backups, follow the same steps only use this instead:

defaults write com.apple.

iTunes AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled -bool false

How sweet is that? We recommend doing regular backups of your

iPhone anyway, but this should be good for those who miss the ability to quickly sync before you run out the door.

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