So iTunes "Backs up" my iPhone everytime I sync it, but how do I retrieve it?

[iSwitchd]

Just out of curiosity.

I know it backs up all the information on my iPhone such as my contacts phone numbers, email addresses, etc.

But in the event I lose my phone, or upgrade to a new iPhone... what is the process in order to restore or "Retrieve" that backed up information?

I don't see a folder anywhere on my hard drive about the backup of the phone.. I was just curious. I heard friends saying how it saved them a lot of headache when they bricked their phoens and had to get a new iPhone.

 

[Ice-Cube]

When you plugged in a new phone or a recent restored phone, iTunes will ask if you want to restore from your previous backup or start afresh. Thats how.

 

[D3lta]

If you restore/get a new iPhone, it'll ask you if you want to set the phone up as new or restore from a previous backup. It'll give you a list of dates & times when backups were made and you can choose from there.