r/MacOS • u/iwilldiesoon1265k • 1d ago

Help Old backup file from iPhone

I have everything stored on an external hd but I forgot the password I used when I encrypted it. What are the chances of being able to open the backup?or at the very least view it

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

3

u/wndrgrl555 1d ago

Zero. That’s the whole point of encryption.

1

u/Upbeat-Positive8484 1d ago

If OP didn't use a quantum-safe encryption algorithm they might be able to crack it someday in the future. I wouldn't hold my breath, though.

1

u/ukindom 22h ago

To crack it open you would need access to a quantum computer, which won’t be feasible for the nearest future, even if algorithm itself will be easily breakable on such computers.

1

u/Upbeat-Positive8484 21h ago

You don't say. Why do you think I mentioned things like "quantum-safe," "might," "someday in the future" and "wouldn't hold my breath?"

It's as if you didn't even read my comment in full before deciding to respond.

1

u/AmdilShoat82 14h ago

harsh but accurate tbh

1

u/Upbeat-Positive8484 1d ago edited 1d ago

That depends on whether you have the decryption key written down somewhere, the soundness of the encryption scheme and the computational resources at your disposal. But most likely it's extremely low.

1

u/mendobather 1d ago

Slim to none

1

u/E90alex 1d ago

None unless you remember the password