MDDATA File – What is .mddata file and how to open it?
MDDATA File Extension
iPhone Backup File – file format by Apple
MDDATA is a file extension of an encrypted file belonging to the iPhone backup made on a computer, containing iOS device data like contacts, messages, apps, and more, created and used by iTunes.
Overview of MDDATA Files
An MDDATA file stores a portion of an iPhone backup created using iTunes. It contains a variety of data types, including app data, device settings, and multimedia files. MDDATA files are essential for restoring an iPhone from a previous backup, as they contain the necessary information to recreate the device’s previous state.
Characteristics and Usage
MDDATA files are typically found in the “MobileSync” folder on a computer that has iTunes installed. They have a standard file format and can only be opened and used by iTunes for restore operations. When a user backs up their iPhone, iTunes creates multiple MDDATA files to store the different types of data present on the device. These files are essential for ensuring a comprehensive and accurate restoration of the iPhone’s data and settings.
Extracting MDDATA Files from iTunes Backups
MDDATA files are a crucial component of iPhone backups created using iTunes. These files contain essential data such as contacts, messages, notes, app settings, and other user-generated content. To access the information within an MDDATA file, you need to extract it from the iTunes backup. This process can be performed using third-party software or specialized forensics tools. One popular extraction method involves using the iPhone Backup Extractor software, which allows you to browse and extract specific files from the backup, including MDDATA files.
Exploring the Contents of MDDATA Files
Once you have extracted the MDDATA files from the iTunes backup, you can explore their contents. These files are stored in a proprietary Apple format, so you will need a dedicated MDDATA viewer or parser to interpret the data. Various open-source and commercial software tools are available that support MDDATA viewing, including MDDATA Explorer and MDDATA Decoder. These tools enable you to browse through the file structure, extract specific data elements, and export the information into other formats for further analysis.
MDDATA File Structure
MDDATA files store backup data for iOS devices, including user settings, app data, and system logs. They are created when an iPhone or iPad is backed up to iCloud or a computer using iTunes. The MDDATA file is a compressed archive that contains multiple SQLite databases, each of which stores data for a specific type of information.
The primary SQLite database in an MDDATA file is called “Manifest.db.” This database contains a table that lists all of the other SQLite databases in the archive, along with their names and sizes. The remaining SQLite databases contain the actual user data, such as contacts, messages, photos, and app settings. These databases are encrypted using a 256-bit AES key, which is stored in the “Manifest.db” database.
Accessing MDDATA Files
MDDATA files can be accessed using a variety of tools, including the iPhone Backup Extractor, iBackup Viewer, and iExplorer. These tools can extract the SQLite databases from an MDDATA file and allow users to view and export the data. However, it is important to note that the SQLite databases are encrypted, and you will need to have the encryption key in order to decrypt them.
If you do not have the encryption key, you can still extract some information from an MDDATA file. The “Manifest.db” database contains a table called “FileRecords,” which lists all of the files that are stored in the archive. This table can be used to get a list of the files that were backed up, even if you cannot access the data itself.