IOS on LEl_FENG Blog

Using i4 Tools to Fully Back Up iPhone 6 Data + Backup File Analysis

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 12:35:22 +0700

TL;DR / Geek Summary:

Insurance Strategy: Comprehensive iPhone 6 backup using i4 Tools (iTunes-based wrapper).

Data Analysis: Deep dive into full vs. selective backups and encrypted local data structures.

Dev Note: Crucial step before jailbreaking, system file modification, or IPA reverse engineering.

# Reasons

Whether it’s jailbreaking, tweaking parameters, replacing IPA data, or modifying system files, there’s always a risk of rendering the system and apps unusable.

A backup is the lowest-risk and most efficient insurance against this.

# The Main Thread of This Tutorial Series

This article is part of a series. If you came from a search engine and are interested, you can check out the other tutorials in the main directory.The Ultimate Guide to Tinkering with iPhone 6 and iOS 12 (Jailbreak + Optimization + IPA Reverse Engineering + App Downgrade + Firmware Flashing + Full Backup + IPA Personal Signing + Jailbreak Tweak Recommendations + Notes + Resource Downloads)

# You are currently at:

Using i4 Tools to Fully Back Up iPhone 6 Data + Backup File Analysis

# Downloading i4 Tools

Since we need to back up iOS data, we inevitably think of downloading iTunes. However, i4 Tools (Aisi Assistant) makes backing up iOS much more convenient (it’s essentially a wrapper software using iTunes as its core).

Download i4 Tools

Download either the 32-bit or 64-bit version.

# Opening and Installing the Software

After clicking the program, the installation page appears.

Click “Install” on the installation page.

# Entering the Software

Find the software icon on your desktop.

After it finishes installing the necessary drivers, we can successfully enter the interface shown below.

# Connecting the Phone and Trusting the Computer

Use a data cable to connect your phone to the computer.

A “Trust” or “Don’t Trust” prompt will appear on your phone.

After a successful connection, it will look like this:

# Start Backing Up the Phone

Directly click the Backup/Restore Data button on the home page.

# Full Backup

An iOS full backup refers to copying almost all data and settings from your iPhone or iPad to another location, such as your computer, iCloud, or an external hard drive. Unlike iCloud backups or selective iTunes backups that only save specific data types, a full backup creates a complete snapshot of your device.

A full backup usually includes the following:

Device settings: Including display brightness, wallpapers, sounds, notifications, Touch ID settings, etc.
App data: Including the apps themselves, app settings, game progress, login info, etc., but not all apps support data backup.
Photos and videos: Including Camera Roll, Photo Stream, albums, etc.
Messages: Including iMessage, SMS, and MMS.
Call logs: Including outgoing, incoming, and missed calls.
Contacts: Including all contact information.
Calendar: Including all calendar events and reminders.
Notes: Including all notes and attachments.
Voice Memos: Including all recordings.
Health data: Including steps, heart rate, sleep data, etc.
Safari browser data: Including bookmarks, history, cookies, etc.
Keychain data: Including Wi-Fi passwords, website login info, etc.

Please note that a full backup does NOT include the following:

Downloaded music, movies, and TV shows: These are usually copyright-protected and need to be re-downloaded from the iTunes Store, App Store, or other sources.
Data stored in iCloud: This data is already in the cloud and does not need to be included in the local backup.
Face ID or Touch ID data: For security reasons, this data is not backed up.
Apple Pay information: For security reasons, this is not backed up.

Pros of a full backup:

Comprehensive data protection: Backs up almost all data on the device.
Easy restoration: Can be used to restore the device to its previous state.
Convenient data migration: Can be used to transfer data to a new device.

Cons of a full backup:

Large file size: Requires a lot of storage space.
Longer backup time: Takes more time to complete.

# Operation Steps

There is a difference in content between unencrypted and encrypted backups:

Please note that the content included in an unencrypted backup and an encrypted backup varies. An encrypted backup may contain information not found in an unencrypted backup, including: your saved passwords, Wi-Fi settings, website history, Health data, and call history.

Directly click “Backup Now” (立即备份).

The backup process begins.

# The Difference Between Password-Protected and Unprotected Full Backups

# Full Backup Data is Encrypted

You will notice that the full backup files are encrypted by default.

This is what it looks like when viewed through i4 Tools’ built-in viewer.

# Selective Backup (Customized Backup)

With this type of backup, you can freely select the specific data you need, except you cannot back up in-app data.

The main difference is that data backed up this way is not encrypted.

# Important Notes

The full backup file is generally best suited for the current device. If you switch to a different phone model, there is no guarantee that everything will work perfectly upon restoration.

Some app data may become invalid or corrupted, such as WeChat and QQ.

It is highly recommended to use the official built-in backup features for WeChat and QQ to migrate your chat history.

IOSApp Any Version Capture Package Downgrade Tutorial

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 12:38:43 +0700

TL;DR / [Geek Summary]:

Version Rollback: Defeat bloatware and ads by forcing the download of legacy IPA images via packet interception.

Intercept Logic: Use legacy iTunes (v12.6.x) paired with interceptors to inject specific version IDs into download requests.

Persistence Hack: Modify iTunesMetadata.plist to physically block App Store update notifications, ensuring version stability.

# Preface

# Why should I downgrade?

The new version of the APP is too slow
The new version is disgusting
The old version is simple and easy to use
The old version is functional

# Why do I want to write this article

I just need it and have tried it
I want to integrate the articles of other guys and save them for myself

# The main line of this series of tutorials

This article is a series, which comes from the search engine. If you are interested, you can check out other tutorials in the main directory

Write the latest ultimate guide for iPhone 6 mobile phones and IOS12 systems (jailbreak + optimization + IPA reverse + APP downgrade + firmware flashing + full backup + IPA personal signature + jailbreak plug-in recommendation + precautions + resource download)

# Tutorial

# Preparation

Download this downgrade software (link at the end of the article)

# Step 1

Open this IOS downgrade software, agree to the firewall and administrator permissions

# Step 2

Download iTunes here

If you think it’s slow, you can download it from my Lanzou Cloud

The process of installing iTunes

awa

Recommended settings

This is more convenient

Installation interface

Seeing such a retro page means you got it right

Open iTunes and agree to its agreement

**Exit and don’t update! ! ! **

Perform a login operation (turn off other packet capture software)

In actual testing, it is not possible to log in after opening the packet capture. Please turn off the software at the beginning

Agree to log in on your iPhone and enter the 6-digit verification code

Search for the app you want in the upper right corner

Select the app after scrolling down (do not click to download)

Reopen the software at the beginning and enter the same keyword in the search APP

After clicking Apply

Choose any version number to enter this page

You can download after clicking Download in iTunes

After clicking Download, remember to check if there is anything in the database

Okay, we found the IPA file package by right-clicking and selecting Open in Windows Data Manager

# Step 3

Install Aisi Assistant and import IPA (there are a lot of tutorials on Baidu)

Very simple

Program source article

# Frequently Asked Questions

# Q: Unable to log in to iTunes account

Please close this tool first, and then log in to iTunes.
After successful login, open this tool again.

# Question: When iTunes authorizes the computer, it fails to authorize and keeps trying to authorize

Close this tool and then authorize again.

# Download address

Lanzou: iOS old version app download v5.2.zip

iTunes v12.6.5.3 download 64-bit 32-bit

# Postscript

Aisi Assistant also has the historical version of each APP, and you can choose to install it, but the historical version installed through Aisi Assistant cannot get updates through the App Store!
The iTunes used must be version 12.6.3.6 or below
Block updates: Change the suffix of the downloaded ipa file to .zip, and after opening it, delete the iTunesMetadata.plist file (Other files are protected by signatures, please do not modify them, otherwise you need to re-sign the ipa), and after completion, change the file suffix back to .ipa, and then use Aisi or install it online to not receive updates in the App Store!