What is an MDBACKUP file?
An .MDBACKUP file is an iPhone Data Backup File created by Apple. It contains backup data from an iOS device. These files use the plist (Property List) data format. Apple iTunes or the macOS Finder creates them when you back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to a computer.
How to open MDBACKUP files?
Normally, you do not open an .MDBACKUP file directly. You use Apple iTunes to restore the data to an iOS device. However, viewer.online/mdbackup analyzes .MDBACKUP files to identify their exact format and creator software, shows which programs can open the file, and usually previews it.
Best practices and troubleshooting
Do not edit an .MDBACKUP file manually. Editing the file can break the backup and prevent device restoration. Keep these files safe, as they contain private personal data. If you only want to inspect the contents without restoring the backup to a phone, you can use specific backup extractors or property list viewers.
Software and tools
Apple iTunes and the macOS Finder handle the backup creation and restoration process. Developers can use Apple Xcode or command-line tools like `plutil` on macOS to inspect the raw plist data. Third-party applications like iPhone Backup Extractor can also read and extract data from these files.
Summary
Because .MDBACKUP files use the known plist format, viewer.online/mdbackup can safely open and display them online, eliminating compatibility problems.