How to Edit iOS 16 Backup to Restore iOS 15 to iPhone

Looking for a way to edit an iOS 16 backup so you can restore an iPhone running iOS 15? Getting iOS Backup Incompatible or Corrupt? Finder or iTunes could not restore this iPhone error? Here’s what you can do to fix it!

Can you restore iOS 16 backup to iOS 15 iPhone?

Theoretically this is not possible! Apple informed that backups generated on a higher iOS version will not work when restoring an iPhone running an older version.

Practically, you can edit the backup and make it compatible with almost all older iOS versions. This requires locating the backup on your computer and changing the info.plist case.

It’s not complicated, but you should be aware that you are doing it at your own risk and in case it doesn’t work, you acknowledge the risks of losing valuable data.

iOS backup is incompatible, corrupt or too old?

Obtaining the following error messages in Finder or iTunes:

“iTunes could not restore iPhone because the backup was not compatible with the iPhone being restored.”

“Finder could not restore iPhone because backup was corrupt.”

“The software on this iPhone is too old to restore.”

How to Change iOS 16 Backup to Work in iOS 15.7

In this early iOS 16, there are some annoying bugs and glitches, which cause many users to downgrade to iOS 15, to get back to normal iPhone functionality.

However, users who did not take a backup before upgrading to iOS 16 will not be able to restore their data after a downgrade unless they complete the following steps:

A. On Mac

• 1. Open Spotlight Search (Use cmd + space shortcut).
• 2. Copy paste the following string in the search field:
  ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync
• 3. Click on the MobileSync case.
• 4. Click on Backup folder and it will open in a new Searcher the window.
• 5. Double click on the backup folder you want to hack.

Point: Backup folder names are long strings of numbers. You can identify the backup you are looking for by checking the Modified Data field.



• 6. Scroll down until you see the info.plist case. Right click on it and go for Open with -> TextEdit.



• seven. Scroll towards the end of the backup file until you reach the following section:
  Last Backup Date
2022-09-24T09:21:23Z
MEID
35316410158133
Product Name
iPhone XS
Product Type
iPhone11,2
Product Version
16.0.3
Serial Number
• 8. Edit the value under Product version. You also need to change the version number you downgraded on your iPhone. For example, if you downgrade iOS 16.0.3 to 15.7, you need to replace 16.0.3 with 15.7:
  Product Version
15.7
Serial Number



• 9. Use the cmd+S combo to save the info.plist file and close it.

B. On Windows

The trick is similar:

1. open race (instead of Spotlight Search). Use the windows key + R combined.

2. Find:
%APPDATA%Apple ComputerMobileSync

3. Open the MobileSync folder, open it Backup folder, double-click the backup you want to edit, find the Product Version line of code, and edit the values.

Do: That’s it! You can now go back to Finder/iTunes and select the backup again in the Restore from this backup section! Does it work? Share it in the comments.

Have you successfully restored iPhone from a backup saved on a higher iOS version? Did this article help you? Do you have a better solution or more questions? Use the comments section to share your feedback!

Related: You can use this trick to restore a backup from iOS 16.1 to iOS 16.0.3 or any other higher iOS version.