iOS Assistant
 
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Top 9 iExplorer Alternatives to Manage and Transfer iOS Data Freely

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iExplorer is a well-known iOS file manager that lets you browse, transfer, and organize music, contacts, messages, and more on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Many users have used it for managing their devices, but it does come with a few drawbacks.

To run iExplorer, you must install QuickTime and a disk-mounting framework, which takes up valuable computer space. Moreover, it's not very efficient for importing photos, music, or contacts to your iOS device. So, if you want a lighter and easier tool to manage and transfer iOS data, an iExplorer alternative is a better choice.

iexplorer alternative

Directory
 

Part 1: iExplorer Review

iExplorer is an iPhone manager that allows you to transfer music, photos, messages, files, and other data from your iPhone, iPod, or iTunes backup to a Mac or PC. You can swiftly transfer iDevice music to iTunes, export texts and attachments, and mount your iPhone or iPad/iPad/iPod as a USB flash drive with this app.

iexplorer review

Below are the pros and cons of iExplorer from user's feedback:

Pros:

Cons:

  • Provide limited features in the free version.
  • Run slow and even crash during use.
  • Cannot transfer files from computer to iOS device.
  • Expensive.
  • No option to make or transfer ringtones for your iOS device.
  • iExplorer will not function well if you don't install the latest version of QuickTime.
  • Unfriendly user interface.

Given iExplorer's many drawbacks, we've compiled a list of some of the best alternatives to give you more options when choosing a tool to manage your iOS device.

Part 2: Top 9 iExplorer Alternatives

1: Coolmuster iOS Assistant

Tired of using iExplorer? Looking for a faster, more efficient tool to manage the content on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod? Look no further than Coolmuster iOS Assistant, the perfect alternative to iExplorer. This lightweight, quick-to-install program offers a free trial and makes file transfers between your iOS devices and computer or iTunes a breeze. With its range of management features, it gives you complete control over your iOS data.

Coolmuster iOS Assistant stands out as a fantastic iExplorer and iTunes alternative, simplifying the process of managing your iPhone, iPad, and iPod content.

Key features of Coolmuster iOS Assistant:

  • Transfer data seamlessly between iOS devices and computers.
  • Handle a variety of data types, including videos, photos, music, eBooks, contacts, SMS, notes, Safari bookmarks, voice memos, podcasts, ringtones, playlists, and more.
  • Manage iOS files and iTunes backups directly on your PC or Mac.
  • Easily back up and restore data from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
  • Compatible with a wide range of devices, including the latest iPhone 17 series, iPads, and iPods.
  • Protect your privacy with secure data handling.

How does iOS Assistant work? Here's how to transfer data from your iPhone to a computer:

01Download and install the program on your computer. Launch the software, and it will automatically detect your iPhone once connected.

open ios assitant

02Once the device is recognized, select the data types you wish to manage from the left side of the screen. You can preview and select the specific items you want to transfer.

choose the files to back up

03Click the "Export" button at the top of the screen to save the selected files to your computer. With Coolmuster iOS Assistant, managing and transferring iOS data has never been easier.

back up iphone selectively with ios assistant

Pros:

  • One-click operation.
  • Preview and choose the files you want to transfer.
  • User-friendly and intuitive interface.
  • High-speed, secure, and intelligent.
  • Fully compatible with all iOS devices and versions, including the latest iPhone 14 and iOS 16.
  • No data loss.

Cons:

  • Not support jailbreak or locked iPhone.

Video Guide:

2: iOS Transfer

iOS Transfer is an easy-to-use alternative to iExplorer that allows you to sync multiple files among iOS devices, computers, and iTunes. It also offers comprehensive features for managing iOS files on your computer, such as organizing photos, editing music, managing contacts, etc.

download ipod music transfer on your computer

Key features:

  • Transfer files like photos, music, ringtones, movies, voice memos, contacts, SMS, WhatsApp/Line/WeChat data, call logs, notes, etc., from iOS to computer.
  • Also support moving files from iOS to iOS, computer to iOS, iTunes and iOS, iTunes to computer.
  • Organize photos on PC: Create photo albums, delete photos, move photos to album on iPhone, etc.
  • Manage contacts freely: Remove unwanted contacts, add/edit contacts, de-duplicate contacts.
  • Edit music: edit album cover/artist/genre, convert music format, create music playlist, delete music directly.
  • Compatible with iOS 6 and later versions.

Pros:

  • Intuitive user interface.
  • It supports lots of files.
  • Amazing features.
  • Support muti-direction transfer.

Cons:

  • It doesn't have a wireless transfer feature.
  • It is not free to use.

Download iOS Transfer from here:

3: Apowersoft Phone Manager

You can find a lot of software like iExplorer online, but few of them provide an easy operation and wonderful experience to use. Apowersoft Phone Manager is a popular iPhone explorer alternative that gives you a simple approach to manage and switch photos, SMS, contacts, music, notes, apps, and other files between your computer and iPhone. Also, it lets data backup and restoration become an easy thing.

iexplorer alternative - apower

Key features:

  • Transfer photos, iBooks, notes, and other files from PC to iPhone and vice versa.
  • Manage multimedia files, back up the iPhone data, and restore the computer backups to an iDevice.
  • USB and Wi-Fi connection.
  • Take mobile screenshots from a computer and mirror the phone screen on a computer.

Pros:

  • Easy to use.
  • Clean interface.

Cons:

  • Only a part of mobile phones supports the screen recording feature.
  • Not a free iExplorer alternative.
  • It becomes unresponsive on some devices.

Click here to download it.

4. iAny Transfer

Want to find a free alternative to iExplorer? Although iAny Transfer offers you a charged version of the iOS data management, it is indeed good to use. After connecting your iOS gadget to the computer, it will rapidly exchange music, photos, playlists, iBooks, recordings, contacts, and other data between your iOS devices, from your iOS device to computer/iTunes library, or vice versa.

iexplorer alternative - iany

Key features:

  • Copy videos, songs, iBooks, and photos from the PC to your iOS device.
  • Move contacts, photos, videos, bookmarks, and music from your iDevice to the computer.
  • Automatically convert the audio and video file format to work with your iDevice.
  • Migrate files between iOS devices.
  • Manage your iOS data on the computer directly.
  • Back up and restore the iDevice data.

Pros:

  • Manage your iOS data easily.
  • Multifunctional and user-friendly.
  • Uninstall unwanted programs from your iOS device.

Cons:

  • The app cannot run without iTunes.
  • Only support the USB connection.
  • Not work for the latest iPhone/iPad/iPod models or iOS versions.
  • The program needs restarting several times to detect your device.

Click here to download it.

5: iMazing

Discover other programs like iExplorer that cannot run without iTunes? You won't worry about this on iMazing since it enables you to manage and back up your iOS device on a PC or Mac without running iTunes. Apart from this, this iExplorer alternative lets you copy everything or just the desired items between two iPhones without iCloud.

If you wish to control the iDevice data and keep everything secure fully, this is a reliable tool to consider.

iexplorer alternative - imazing

Key features:

  • Transfer and back up music, photos, messages, Safari, ringtones, etc., from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your computer.
  • Store, export, and print iPhone text messages/MMS/iMessages/attachments.
  • Export music and photos without iCloud or iTunes.

Pros:

  • Easy to connect and use.
  • Support dragging and dropping the file into the program.

Cons:

  • Cannot sort and show the folder's name correctly.
  • The Help page does not support any real help.
  • Paid program.

Click here to download it.

6: iMyFone TunesMate

iMyFone TunesMate is another powerful iExplorer alternative. It bridges your iPhone/iPad/iPod and computer and transfers media files between your iDevice and the computer. What's more, you can also move media files between your iDevice and iTunes on this software.

iexplorer alternative - tunesmate

Key features:

  • Sync iTunes movies, audiobooks, music, Podcasts, playlists, etc., to your iPhone without data loss.
  • Transfer both purchased and non-purchased iPhone music, photos, and videos to a computer.
  • Convert a song to a ringtone and transfer it between your iPhone and computer.
  • Fully control over the media files: Import, export, delete, and back up.

Pros:

  • Fulfil your diverse demands of iOS data management.
  • Sync files without data loss.
  • Merge iTunes library automatically.

Cons:

  • Costly.
  • Cannot transfer files wirelessly.
  • Only one-way photo transfer.

Click here to download it.

7: iFunbox

iFunbox is a fantastic alternative to iExplorer that gives you complete control over your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can browse the device content on the computer, monitor the whole syncing process, and even convert the .plist files into readable text format and vice versa.

iexplorer alternative - ifunbox

Key features:

  • Transfer, manage, and browse iOS files on a computer.
  • Convert the binary .plist files into readable text files and vice versa.
  • Back up music, videos, and other files from your iOS device.
  • Convert and sync any image to the iPhone as the wallpaper.

Pros:

  • No need to install the app.
  • Easy access to the device content.
  • Drag and drop feature is available.

Cons:

  • Some features need jailbreaking your iPhone.
  • It may crash on some computer versions.
  • Sometimes, it cannot connect to the iTunes library.
  • Some users report the permission problem during use.
  • Outdated design of user interface.

Click here to download it.

8: PhoneView

Get used to utilizing a Mac computer? Then you must take a look at PhoneView. Unlike other iExplorer alternatives, this app only works on macOS 10.12 or newer versions and provides you a neat interface to browse and manage iOS files. Most importantly, you can preview the text messages and attachments as you do on your iPhone.

iexplorer alternative - phoneview

Key features:

  • View, store, and print most iPhone messages, voice messages, WhatsApp messages, and other data on your Mac.
  • Automatically back up messages whenever it detects your iPhone.
  • Get access to the entire movies and photos library, including the Photo Stream content and photos synced from iTunes.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface.
  • Easy access to the iOS data.

Cons:

  • Not available for Windows PC.
  • It crashes now and then.
  • Cannot recognize apps most of the time.

9. SynciOS Manager

SynciOS Manager is an easy yet functional alternative to iExplorer. Besides the features that most iExplorer alternatives include, it also makes it easy for you to convert online videos, back up and restore iOS data, and create custom ringtones and text tones.

iexplorer alternative - syncios

Key features:

  • Back up iOS data to a computer and transfer the computer backups to an Android/iOS device.
  • Manage iOS device music, edit song details, and duplicate tracks.
  • Preview and export contacts, SMS, and call history to a readable format on a computer.
  • Organize the photos or photo albums on a computer effortlessly.

Pros:

  • Simple user interface.
  • Convenient and easy to use.

Cons:

  • Offer limited contact management plan.
  • Cannot work without iTunes.
  • Not free.

Click here to download it.

The Bottom Line

Given that all iExplorer alternatives above can help you manage, back up, or transfer iOS data, you may get confused about which one to choose. From my perspective, you can select Coolmuster iOS Assistant if you want smooth and quick management of your iDevice. Also, this program is easy to handle. Even though you are a tech novice, you can manage your iOS files by following the on-screen instructions. Thus, why don't you try it now?

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    iOS Transfer     Top 9 iExplorer Alternatives to Manage and Transfer iOS Data Freely
iOS Assistant
Back up and restore everything on iPhone/iPad/iPod with one click.
Freely manage iOS data and iTunes backup files on the computer.
Preview and selectively transfer files between iDevice and computer.
Widely support contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, notes, etc.
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