When I brought up iTunes on the Mac most of my library is missing. I want to transfer my playlists/library from iPhone to Mac/iTunes. I am finding iExplorer is a solution. Has anyone used it and is it a safe download? Its logo makes you think its an apple product 'iExplorer' but Apple does not have the download on its website or iTunes. Transfer and Rebuild Playlists. Limited to adding 10 tracks at a time w/nag screen. Mount media, app & backup directories to Finder or Windows Explorer. Limit of 150 MB Data Transfer. Mount device’s music library to Finder or Windows Explorer. Same 150 MB limit as above.
iDevice users are on the lookout for a better Sharepod alternative to transfer music files from their iPod to computer (both Windows and Mac systems). While Sharepod is a direct method of transferring playlists and music to iTunes or computer from devices including iPad, iPhone or iPod, the buffering leaves many users dissatisfied. And worse the program crashes while transferring files in some cases.
iDevice users are on the lookout for a better Sharepod alternative to transfer music files from their iPod to computer (both Windows and Mac systems). While Sharepod is a direct method of transferring playlists and music to iTunes or computer from devices including iPad, iPhone or iPod, the buffering leaves many users dissatisfied. And worse the program crashes while transferring files in some cases.
So, what is the alternative that is quick, efficient and gives you no trouble whatsoever?
FoneTrans is an ideal Sharepod alternative for Windows and Mac because of the various features it offers in comparison to the other alternatives in the market. Here is a review of some of the leading Sharepod alternatives and the reasons as to why FoneTrans comes out the winner.
PS: also, here is the full iExplorer Review for your reference.
Why use Sharepod Alternative
Before we review the Sharepod alternative tools, let us see a brief overview of Sharepod and why an alternative is needed.
Sharepod launched in the year 2005, has been used for transfer of multimedia files between your iDevice and computer or iTunes.
The software allows you to transfer videos, music, songs, photos and other multimedia files at a fast rate. With Sharepod, you can do the following
- Copy entire playlists with just a few simple clicks.
- In the event of system error or crash, you can recover your files safely with the software
- Simple editing including managing playlists and library and erasing old tracks can be done
But it has some drawbacks such as
- The simple interface does not have any playback support
- In spite of Sharepod being effective and convenient, it has several alternatives that outrank it in compatibility, functionality and price.
- Although at the time of its launch it was considered as the best file transfer app for iDevices, over time the efficiency of the software has diminished.
- The updates for the software have failed to keep up with the changes happening in the field.
In 2013, Macroplant, the creators of iExplorer acquired Sharepod and are working to improve the features and functions of the app. Sharepod 4 is the latest version for Windows and Mac devices.
Comparison of top Sharepod alternatives
Senuti
This software is named by spelling iTunes backward and the similarity ends there. Unlike iTunes, Senuti works only on Mac. Senuti launched in 2006 is a dedicated Mac OS application that helps in copying media files from your iDevice to a Mac computer that runs on OS X10.5 or a newer version. You can also transfer the files to iTunes library. However the software does not have the facility of importing music to your iPod.
What can it do?
A beneficial feature in this software is the de-duplicate feature. It helps detect the duplicate files and let’s you decide on saving them or deleting them.
You can listen to the media file by clicking on it before you transfer the file to the system. So, to a certain extent the software can be considered as iOS player, but only with the audio files. For video, you need to install Quick Time Player.
The software is available with a demo version that is free to use. Unlimited version is also present for the software.
Advantages of Senuti
- Simple and easy to use interface
- Has complete introduction and instructions needed for set up
- Versatile and convenient
- It is priced at $18.99
- Size of software: 4.3 MB
Instructions for using Senuti
- Connect your iPod, iPad or iPhone to a Mac system
- Decide on the media files you wish to transfer and select them
- Click on the button marked Transfer. The media files you selected can now be moved to your Mac system or iTunes.
Drawbacks of Senute
- The most important and frustrating drawback is it crashes often just like Sharepod.
- The software occasionally fails to recognize the idevice you are using.
FoneTrans
This Sharepod alternative is an ideal tool for media files transfer between your iDevice and Mac or PC. While the software is similar to Sharepod, it is stronger when compared to Senuti and Sharepod.
It is priced at $29.97
The size is 49.9 MB
What can it do?
- It transfers photos, contacts, movies, music, ringtones, PDF, playlists and more, easily between Mac/PC and iOS devices.
- You can export messages too from your iPhone for backup purpose and store them in your computer.
- If you have iTunes installed in your system, you can easily copy TV shows, iTunes U and Podcast and more to iTunes.
Advantages of FoneTrans:
- It helps to convert audio or video from your computer to make it compatible with the device you are using. This is especially very useful when you have unsupported audio or video files. You can convert these files to compatible versions before you transfer.
- You can also export the iOS files for backup, making it an iPhone transfer to PC
- The simple interface enables managing iPhone files easily on your system. You can delete contacts in your phone easily with the de-duplication process. Important contacts can be backed up to avoid worries of losing them due to the lost or damaged device. Similarly messages MMS/SMS can also be backed up and saved in HTML, text or excel format.
- The tools also function as an audio or video player, while playing music and movies. You need not install any other player for this.
- You can also share files within the iOS devices. For instance, you can copy the media files in your iPad to your iPhone or move data from iPad to iPod. The files transferred include picture, movie, music, TV shows, ringtone, camera roll, SMS(MMS), iTunes U and podcasts.
- You can manage your photos easily by building a photo album. The songs can be organized into different playlists and also backed up for safety. Multimedia files, music playlists etc. can also be exported to the PC or your iTunes library for safe backup
- The software supports all iDevices.
Instructions for using FoneTrans
- Connect your iOS device to Mac or PC
- Decide on the files you wish to transfer
- Click on Export to or Add option to copy the files between your iDevice and PC, from one device to another or from the device to iTunes
- Select contacts icon. This helps to edit or add or duplicate the contacts
Drawbacks
As a Sharepod alternative, this has restricted number and time for data transfer, while using free trial method.
AnyTrans
This Sharepod alternative is compatible with Mac and Windows users. The software program helps in transferring video and music files from your Mac device to idevices including iPod, iPad and iPhone. Here is the full AnyTrans Review for your info too.
It is priced at $39.99
The size is 1.02 MB
What can it do?
Download Iexplorer For Ios
- This media transfer software can do transfer of files easily between Mac and iPod without iTunes.
- In addition to video and music files, the software also helps to move photos, messages, contacts and others from your iDevice to a Mac or PC system.
- The software also lets data importing directly from the idevice to iTunes and between devices.
The software tool helps to download the music in iTunes to your idevice or a computer making it the best iTunes file transfer alternative. It is in fact more capable of downloading iCloud to
- your Mac or PC.
- The app is popular because of its fast speeds, easy to restore and use feature, rebuild libraries facility and better connectivity to multiple devices. When compared to the reliability of iTunes, this is much favorable.
- The ability to transfer music libraries, apps, media file, content and more make the software a reliable one compared to iTunes.
- Link the iDevice you own with your computer. Use the add button to listen to music and transfer it to the idevice of your choice.
Advantages at a glance
- Ideal for transferring media files between iDevices
- Restores data from iTunes backup too
- Converts the formats of media files based on requirements
- Allows music library creation
- Enables playing playlists in iTunes even from old iPods
Instructions on using AnyTrans
- Connect your iOS device to Mac or PC
- Select the file you want to transfer on iTunes or iPhone
- Click on the transfer option present on the top right corner. This enables file transfer between devices easily.
Drawbacks
- Similar to Sharepod, Any Trans takes time to transfer the media files including movies, music and other data. This is because of the high RAM and CPU consumption of the program, even when it is idle.
- You need to complete full registration for each function you wish to use, which is a big hassle
Bottom line
While at a glance all three Sharepod alternative software programs discussed above may look similar even with Sharepod, a closer look reveals quite a lot of dissimilarities, especially between FoneTrans and the other two. The software scores high in features, price and compatibility over the other two. It is also faster and efficient.
The de-duplicating feature, automatic media format conversion and playing of audio and video files make it highly desirable software for iDevice users who are vexed with the slow Sharepod alternatives that have a tendency to crash at times. FoneTrans is without doubt an ideal Sharepod alternative present now.
There are so many iPhone transfer programs that you can take as iTunes alternatives to transfer data between iPhone and computer. But actually, they can do more jobs like viewing and extracting files from iOS backup files, migrating contents from an old device to your new iPhone, wirelessly back up some specific media files, and so on.
This post introduces some of the top best iPhone transfer/manager software with their innovative features, the trial links, the prices, and the recent coupons I collected. Hope this would be helpful. (These apps also works for iPad and iPod devices)
iMazing iPhone Transfer
iMazing is an iPhone transfer software created by DigiDNA, a Switzerland software developer. This program makes it easy to transfer, backup, print, and manage data on your iPhone and iPad. You can absolutely use it as a replacement for iTunes to manage your device. But actually, it could be better than iTunes on data transferring.
So what outstanding features you can get from iMazing? Let’s have a look
1-Click Quickly Transfer Data from/to iPhone
With iMazing, you can easily transfer photos, music, contacts, videos, ringtones, and more between iPhone and computer (or another iOS device). And the Quick Transfer feature makes it easier with a simple Drag and Drop.
1-Click Export & Print Messages
With iMazing, you can easily export messages, notes, contacts, and other text-format data to PDF, Text, and CSV, through which, you can easily view, read, and print the information. And it also added a Print button to directly print your text message, iMessage, and WhatsApp messages.
Wireless iPhone Backup and more
iMazing added a Time-Machine-like feature to wirelessly backup your important data in a safe way, and the backup will be encrypted well. Different from iTunes, iMazing will allow you to browse and extract files and contents from the backup files.
iMazing also offers some smart tools like checking iPhone status and battery health, migrating data from an old iOS device to the new one, managing apps, force restarting the device and etc. This software has a good design and follows closely with the development of Apple products and services.
iMazing Free Trial, Price, and Coupon Codes
iMazing is fully compatible with the latest iOS 14 and iPhone 12, and it offers a free trial for people to try before purchasing. But, the trial version will restrict the amount that people can transfer and backup on an iPhone.
iMazing Free vs Paid
| Main Features | Free Trial (Download) | Full Version (20% Discount) |
| Quick Transfer | √ | √ |
| Unlimited Backups | √ | √ |
| Automatic Backups | √ | √ |
| Make Ringtones | √ | √ |
| Battery Diagnostics | √ | √ |
| Detect Spyware | √ | √ |
| Erase Devices | √ | √ |
| Photos | Transfer 50 Items | √ |
| Music | Transfer 50 items | √ |
| Messages | Transfer 25 items | √ |
| Transfer 25 items | √ | |
| Contacts | Transfer 10 items | √ |
| Notes | Transfer 5 items | √ |
| Call History | Transfer 5 items | √ |
| Books | Transfer 5 items | √ |
| Ringtones | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Podcasts | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Safari | Transfer 20 items | √ |
| Voice Memos | Transfer 3 items | √ |
| Calendar | Transfer 10 items | √ |
| Voice Mail | Transfer 1 items | √ |
| Files Transfer | Transfer 100 items | √ |
| Backup Export | Export 10 items | √ |
| Restore a Backup | × | √ |
| Transfer to Device | × | √ |
| Export All Data | × | √ |
| Insatll iOS | × | √ |
| Configurator | × | √ |
| Supervision | × | √ |
To use all the features, you can buy the iMazing license code. There are two types of licenses starting from $34.99 on its official website. The great news is that you can get a 25% iMazing discount with which you can get an iMazing license for no more than 30 US dollars.
iMobie AnyTrans
iMobie Inc., released iOS transfer apps since 2012, including PodTrans, PhoneTrans, PhotoTrans, and AppTrans. And some of these apps did get a good reputation. For example, the PodTrans (iPod music transfer) got so many 5 stars ratings on CNET.
After several years, iMobie gathered all its previous transfer apps into a new brand – AnyTrans. And this brand keeps adding new features, and now the latest version of AnyTrans collected a bunch of features, including transferring iPhone data, accessing files on iPhone backups, downloading Youtube videos, making ringtones, mirroring iPhone screen to the computer, as well as migrating data from Android to iOS.
AnyTrans vs iMazing
Just like iMazing, AnyTrans is also equipped with features of transferring and backing up data on your iPhone. And it runs on the computer, too.
The difference is that AnyTrans does better than iMazing while moving data between two different mobile systems and downloading online videos (It has so many useful features to manage your iPhone data and files).
But the disadvantage of this software is that it got a little complicated interface and an unstable performance on data transferring. For me to choose an iTunes alternative, I choose iMazing because it is easy to use, and just like the built-in app on my computer.
AnyTrans Free vs Paid Version
AnyTrans iPhone transfer isn’t free but gives you a free trial version, with which you can transfer several items, download online videos, make ringtones, downloads apps, and mirror your iPhone screen to the computer.
| Main Features | Free Trial (Download) | Full Version (45% Discount) |
| Media Downloader | √ | √ |
| App Downloader | √ | √ |
| Ringtone Maker | √ | √ |
| Unlimited Backup | √ | √ |
| Screen Mirroring | √ | √ |
| iCloud Content Manager | √ | √ |
| Photo | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Music | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Videos | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Messages | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Apps | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Contacts | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Notes | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Call History | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Books | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Ringtones | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Podcasts | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Safari Bookmarks | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Voice Memos | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Safari History | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Calendar | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Reminders | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| iTunes U | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Voice Mail | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Files System | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ | |
| Line | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Viber | Transfer 30 items within 3 days | √ |
| Phone Switcher | × | √ |
| Unlimited Data Transfer | × | √ |
| Restore Backup | × | √ |
| Multi – iCloud Sync | × | √ |
| WhatsApp/Line/Viber Restore | × | √ |
| WhatsApp/Line/Viber to iPhone | × | √ |
For most of you who want to transfer or backup iPhone data, you have to buy a full version.
There are 3 kinds of licenses: 1 Year Single License ($39.99), LifeTime Single License (49.99$), and Family License for 5 computers ($69.99).
AnyTrans Back-to-school Discount
To get it at a cheap price, you can try some links on the coup0n site – AnyTrans 50% discount coupon (updated on Aug 1st, 2021).
In the Back-to-School season, iMobie also provides you with an exclusive 30% OFF coupon IMOB-BTS-2021 (expires on September 30, 2021). To activate the exclusive coupon, you should click on this sale link. After clicking any of the BUY NOW buttons, you can use the coupon below the text “I have a discount coupon”.
iExplorer – iPhone to Computer Transfer
iExplorer by Macroplant is an old brand for iPhone data transferring. And it’s very popular with iOS users since it does a good job on iPhone transferring. With this tool, you can easily export music, photos, contacts, and other files from iPhone or iTunes backup to the desktop of your computer. And the whole process is safe. (We’ve scanned this iExplorer using Secure software, and it shows there is no virus hidden.)
iExplorer VS iMazing/AnyTrans
Just like AnyTrans and iMazing, iExplorer is also a computer-based iPhone data transfer program. And it is good at transferring large numbers of big data files, such as hundreds of pictures, videos, and songs. Certainly, you can play and preview those items before you export them to a computer.
But it is a pity that iExplorer doesn’t add some meaningful features and improve its interface for a long time. And most of its recent updates are bug fixes and iOS compatibility updates. Compared with the rivals, it has no advantage in price and features now. (The new version even didn’t support Wi-Fi connecting.)
iExplorer Free vs Paid
The latest version of iExplorer is 4.2.8. And you can download it here. And the trial version allows you to preview contents, but limit the numbers of the files that you can transfer. Besides, it will keep showing a pop-up window requiring you to register and buy it. The price of the iExplorer is started from $39.99, and up to $69.99.
Wondershare TunesGo
Wondershare TunesGo also can do somethings that iTunes can’t. For example, transferring iPhone contents to another device (computer, iOS, and Android) and converting media files to iOS supported files.
Compare with the above two apps, TunesGo only some basic transfer features like move data between iPhone and computer, and manage iPhone data by deleting, adding, exporting, etc. And recently Wondershare updated this iPhone transfer app to be compatible with iOS 14.
Aiseesoft FoneTrans – Transfer 16+ FileTypes on iPhone
Aiseesoft company developed various multimedia software for iPhone users. And FoneTrans could be one of its best works. This tool is specially designed to transfer data in a simple way, and it does do the job to transfer 16+ filetypes between iPhone and computer/iTunes.
Pros
- The interface is clean so that you can quickly access the page to see what you can transfer between your smartphone and your computer.
- It supports transferring more than 16 file types, including songs, videos, contacts, photos, books, ePub, etc.
- It is cheap and you can buy with a 55% discount on MyCommerce, at a price of $18.
- The icon is so cute!
Cons
Before transferring iPhone contacts and messages, this software will take a long time to back up your iOS device and load the text messages and contacts.
CopyTrans – Transfer Between iPhone and PC
CopyTrans gives you a series of iPhone transfer tools (CopyTrans, CopyTrans Contacts, CopyTrans Photo, etc) to help you transfer iPhone data on PC (Supports Windows XP and later). Most CopyTrans tools have the price of &19.99. Below are the main features of each tool.
Cons
- Most of the tools are for Windows but have no Mac Version
- Some files that you can only transfer from iPhone to the computer but cannot from PC to iPhone
Price
- CopyTrans ($19.99) – Transfer music and videos from iPhone to iTunes/PC
- CopyTrans Contacts ($19.99) – Transfer contacts, messages, notes, calendar to PC.
- CopyTrans Photo ($19.99) – Transfer photos, videos, and albums to PC.
- CopyTrans TuneSwift ($19.99) – Rebuild iTunes library on Mac/PC or transfer all iTunes library from iPhone to Computer.
WALTR 2 – Simplest Drop to iPhone Transfer Tool
Softorino Inc. developed one simple tool – WALTR, which helps people to easily transfer media files to iPhone without using iTunes. The latest version – WALTR 2, uses the wireless technique to transfer music, videos, TV shows, iBooks, Audiobooks from computer to any iPhone with one simple drop area, just like the below screenshot.
WALTR 2 is also not free and charges $49.99.
Iexplorer Free Alternative Mac Address
How WALTR 2 Work
You can download and install this WALTR 2 on Windows or Mac computer and then drag and drop files to its interface. This app uses its called “Smart Automatic Content Recognition”, to analyze the information of the files you drop to its interface on the computer, and then put them with all metadata into the right place on your connected Apple device.
Iexplorer For Iphone On Mac
Besides the iPhone, this app is also perfectly compatible with other Apple devices, even the original iPod from 2001.
MobileTrans – Best Phone Transfer
Just as we said in my previous post – Best Android to iPhone Transfer, WonderShare MobileTrans could be one of the most professional tools to transfer data between two phones, and also be able to backup data on your iPhone and restore data from backup to your device.
Actually, this desktop-based program is good for you to copy a huge amount of photos, music, contacts, and other files to your newly bought phone. If you got one iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro, this tool will be the one tool that you should own, because it will deal with many problems that you will meet on data transfer, backup, and restore. Just like other similar programs, it is not free and you should buy the license on the official website to get all features activated.
And the price is about $30-$40, similar to those of other programs.
iSkysoft iTransfer (TunesOver)
iSkysoft iTransfer or named “TunesOver” is one of the transfer tools that iSkysoft released for all iOS users. With iTransfer, you can back up selected songs and videos to a computer or iTunes, and this smart tool will filter out the existing items, so there is no worry about duplicates being transferred to your other device. More than this, it is able to import live photos from iPhone iPad as gif pictures and store them on your PC or Mac.
iSkysoft iTransfer is now compatible with the new iOS 14, and available to be downloaded on both Mac and Windows, support the new macOS Big Sur and Windows 10.
Xilisoft – DVD to iPhone Transfer
Xilisoft created so many DVD to iPhone transferring and converting tools. And its iPhone Software Suite contains multiple functions, including, DVD to iPhone transfer, iPhone ringtones maker and iPhone data transfer. With this iPhone manager tool, you can easily convert and transfer songs and videos to your iPhone, or convert songs as your iPhone ringtones.
Internet Explorer 10 For Mac
Leawo iTransfer – Small iPhone Transfer Tool
Leawo iTransfer could be a small tool to manage data on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, iTunes. You can use this tool to copy songs and videos among iOS device, iTunes and PC. Thus, you can backup iPhone data to the computer. Or add media files to your new iOS device without iTunes. This tool has two versions just like the tools we offer above. And the Window Version could be better than Mac, and now it isn’t compatible with the newest macOS Sierra. The good news is that the price of its upgrade license is cheaper than most of the transfer tools above.