iExplorer Review in 2025 - Best Alternative

Tired of Apple’s restrictive approach to managing your iOS devices? Many iPhone and iPad users get frustrated when trying to access files, transfer data, or create backups outside Apple’s ecosystem. iExplorer has long been a go-to solution—but is it still worth using in 2025?

This article includes a detailed iExplorer review and compares it with better alternatives to help you pick the right app for your iOS device.

Being an iOS user often means relying on apps like iTunes and iCloud. While they allow file transfers, even basic tasks can feel overly complex—and they don’t give you full control over your device.

That’s where third-party apps like iExplorer come in, promising easier iOS management. But is it still worth your time and money? Let’s dive in and find out.

Is iExplorer Safe To Use?

Before we explore features and functionality, let's address the most important question: Is iExplorer safe for your devices?

After analyzing numerous user reviews and testing the app ourselves, we can confirm that iExplorer is not malicious software. It's a legitimate app that lets you transfer and manage files between your iOS device and a Windows or Mac computer.

However, iExplorer has several critical issues that affect its safety and reliability:

❌ Performance Issues - Extremely slow backups that can take hours, especially for devices with large media libraries
❌ Stability Problems - Frequent crashes when transferring multiple files simultaneously
❌ Poor Support - Unresponsive customer service despite promises of 24/7 support for premium users
❌ Functionality Failures - Inability to properly handle large message exports to PDF, with crashes during long thread exports and missing embedded videos
❌ Data Integrity Concerns - Reports of backups becoming corrupted over time
❌ iOS Compatibility - Potential risks of using non-Apple software to manage sensitive iOS data

For a more reliable experience managing iOS files, AltTunes provides a smoother, safer alternative with better performance and stability.

What Is iExplorer?

iExplorer functions as an iOS device manager that expands on iTunes functionality. It allows you to transfer music, photos, videos, and other data between your iOS devices and computer.

What sets it apart from iTunes is the ability to search and preview your messages, music, and media files before transferring them. You can also access and transfer files from your iTunes backups directly to your computer, as iExplorer can read these backup files.

Pros

• Transfers various file types (music, photos, messages, etc.) from iOS devices or iTunes backups to computer

• Features a user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation

• Allows rebuilding and organizing music playlists

• Supports exporting iMessages to your computer

Cons

• Noticeably slow performance, especially with larger transfers

• Higher price point compared to competing iOS management tools

• Severely limited functionality in the free version

• Tendency to freeze during operations

• Incomplete functionality in some areas

• Risk of corrupting iTunes backups due to software bugs

• Crashes when handling large data transfers (particularly with messages, videos, or photos)

Continue reading to learn how iExplorer works on Mac and Windows computers, plus discover better alternatives if you're concerned about trusting this software with your iOS devices.

How To Use iExplorer?

You might wonder how this program manages to modify content on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, given Apple's tight ecosystem controls.

Here's the process:

iExplorer works by connecting to iTunes on your Windows/Mac computer, which gives it access to your Apple device. Once connected through iTunes, it can access your apps, videos, music library, photos, messages, contacts, and other data on your iOS device.

This connection effectively treats your iOS device as an external drive, allowing you to transfer or modify its data just as you would with any external storage device.

iExplorer offers two versions: a free version with limited features and restricted access, and a premium version with full functionality.

iExplorer Alternatives

If iExplorer's reliability issues concern you, several safer and more dependable alternatives are available. Here are some top options for efficiently managing your iOS device files.

AltTunes vs iExplorer

AltTunes, developed by Softorino, provides a comprehensive Apple device management solution. It enables you to restore an iPad from a backup or backup an iPad without hassle, with smooth backup management.

When paired with WALTR PRO, AltTunes creates the ultimate combination for Apple users. Unlike iExplorer's instability, AltTunes transfers data efficiently without crashes or delays. It also makes it simple to transfer an iPad to a new iPad.

Pros

• Fast and stable file transfers

• Bundled with WALTR PRO and other apps via Universal License

• Simple, modern, and user-friendly interface

• Fast performance and transfer speeds

• Seamless music, video, and backup transfers

• Works without iTunes

• Free trial available

Cons

• Requires a subscription

iMazing vs iExplorer

iMazing stands out as one of the most feature-rich iOS device management tools available today. This versatile app lets you transfer files, create backups, export messages, view and control backups, and manage contacts, apps, and your entire Apple device system.

It includes advanced features not found in other apps or even iTunes, such as message printing, backup viewing and editing, and Safari history exports.

Available for both Mac and Windows, iMazing offers a free version with limited functionality to let you experience its capabilities.

Pros

• Highly customizable file transfer options

• Intuitive, user-friendly interface

• Transparent, secure processes

• Fast performance and transfer speeds

• Encrypted iOS backups with secure data transfers

• Works independently without requiring iTunes

• Additional features including data printing, secure erasing, ringtone creation, and app management

Cons

• Slightly higher price point than competitors, though the yearly license covers multiple iOS devices

iMazing excels with its advanced features and customization options. However, if you prefer a more straightforward solution with seamless data management, AltTunes offers a better experience, especially for users looking to export contacts from iPhones to PC.

AnyTrans vs iExplorer

AnyTrans offers cross-platform support for both Android and iOS devices, syncing with Mac or Windows PCs. Its user-friendly interface simplifies transferring, managing, backing up, and viewing phone data on your computer. A three-day free trial is available to test its features.

Pros

• Clean, visually appealing user interface

• Reliable performance with fast processing times

• Selective file transfers for greater control

Cons

• Highly restricted data transfer capabilities in the trial version

While AnyTrans works with both iOS and Android devices, it doesn't match the smooth user experience that AltTunes provides for Apple users. AltTunes makes it particularly easy to move photos to iCloud.

i-FunBox vs iExplorer

i-FunBox is a popular iOS management solution that treats your iPhone, iPod, or iPad as an external hard drive. This approach allows remote management from your Windows PC, letting you transfer, view, and export photos, videos, messages, contacts, music, and other data.

Pros

• Supports burning media files to CD

• Allows installation or removal of multiple iOS apps

• Straightforward functionality

Cons

• Occasional connection failures with iTunes library

• Slower performance compared to alternatives

• Best suited for jailbroken devices

• Potential permission issues during use

i-FunBox works well for jailbroken devices but has limitations for standard iPhone users. It's slower than other options and less robust compared to AltTunes, which functions efficiently as an iPhone backup extractor with better stability.

Quick Comparison

Conclusion

After thoroughly testing and researching these iOS management solutions, my recommendation is simple: choose the app that handles your needs safely and efficiently.

For a comprehensive solution for iOS devices, iMazing offers the most complete package. It provides greater control over your data without compromising privacy or security.

Additionally, it includes several innovative features that maximize your iOS device experience on a PC. I suggest trying the free version of each app to determine which best fits your specific requirements.

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