How to view or explore iPhone backup files on my PC?

You can definitely view or explore iPhone backup files on your PC, but the method depends on how the backup was created (iTunes, iCloud, or third-party software). 

1. Locate iTunes Backup on Your PC

If you backed up your iPhone using iTunes (or Finder on Mac):

The backups are stored locally on your computer in a hidden folder.

On Windows 10/11, you can find them here:

C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

Each backup appears as a long alphanumeric folder name. Inside, you'll see many files with no obvious names or extensions.

⚠️ These files aren’t human-readable without special software — Apple encrypts and structures them in a database format.

2. Use Third-Party iPhone Backup Viewers

To explore iphone backup (photos, messages, contacts, app data), you'll need a iPhone backup explorer tool. Popular options include:

iExplorer – Browse and export iPhone backup data.

iBackup Viewer – Free tool for viewing messages, call history, notes, etc.

PhoneView (Mac only) – For Mac users.

These tools decode the backup files into something you can read or export.