Top 5 iPhone File Explorers to Browse iPhone Files on PC/Mac

Bhavya Kaushik

Jan 07, 2021 • Filed to: iPhone Data Transfer Solutions • Proven solutions

Unlike Android devices, an iPhone doesn’t come with a native iOS explorer. This is something that a lot of iOS users complain about, as it doesn’t allow them to have an in-depth view of their device storage. Thankfully, by taking the assistance of any third-party iPhone file explorer, you can easily meet your requirements. An iPhone explorer for Mac or Windows can let you view your device’s directories and file system. In this guide, we will make you familiar with some of the best iOS explorers for Windows and Mac that you should use.

1st iPhone File Explorer: Dr.Fone — Phone Manager (iOS)

Halt your quest for the perfect iPhone or iPad explorer with Dr.Fone — Phone Manager (iOS). You can browse the file system and perform plenty of tasks (like importing, exporting, or managing of your data). Besides being a remarkable iPhone Explorer for Windows and Mac, it can also let you manage your files. As the name suggests, Dr.Fone — Phone Manager (iOS) can be used to import or export your iPhone files between your iOS device and computer. It is a part of the Dr.Fone toolkit, which is already trusted by millions of users worldwide and is known for its 100% secure functioning. Here are some of the other features of this iPhone file explorer.

Dr.Fone — Phone Manager (iOS)

Best iPhone file explorer for Windows/Mac, without using iTunes

• The iOS explorer provides a comprehensive view of the device’s storage under its Disk Mode.
• You can visit any directory, browse files, and perform various other tasks to manage your data.
• Transfer, manage, export/import your music, photos, videos, contacts, SMS, Apps etc.
• Backup your music, photos, videos, contacts, SMS, Apps etc. to computer and restore them easily.
• Transfer music, photos, videos, contacts, messages, etc from one smartphone to another.
• Fully compatible with all iOS versions that run on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

How to use this iOS File Explorer?

The tool will let you gain complete access to the file system of your iOS device. Simply connect your iPhone or any other iOS device like iPad or iPod Touch to your system and launch this iOS explorer. Go to Dr.Fone’s «Phone Manager» module to access it.

Afterwards, you can simply go to its “Explorer” tab. This will provide an in-depth view of all the directories and files on your device. Here, you can create a new folder, transfer your files, get rid of unwanted data, and perform all the basic tasks just like any other file explorer.

Other features

There are tons of other features on this iPhone file explorer. For instance, under the “Apps” section, you can manage the installed applications on your device. Remove any app or install multiple apps at once.

If you want to manage your contacts or messages, then go to its “Information” tab. Here, you can take a backup of your contacts or messages and perform numerous other tasks.

You can also transfer your media files (like videos, photos, music, and more) between your iOS device and computer easily. Simply visit the respective tab – Photos, Videos, or Music. From here, you can import or export your files to and from different formats.

The best part about this iPhone explorer Mac and Windows is that it can also be used to manage iTunes media without iTunes. From the home, you can choose to transfer data between your iOS device and iTunes in no time. This makes it an ideal alternative to iTunes.

2nd iPhone File Explorer: iExplorer

Developed by Macroplant, iExplorer is a popular iPhone Explorer Windows. It is extremely lightweight and easy to use, which makes it an ideal iPad explorer as well. Though, to use this iOS explorer, you would need the latest version of iTunes.

• • The application can be used to mount an iOS device to Mac’s Finder or Windows File Explorer.
• • It is also an ideal tool to import/export your contacts, messages, reminders, calendars, and more.
• • You can also view, export, and save photos and videos as well.
• • The iOS explorer has a Disk Mode to provide a detailed view of all the directories.
• • It can also be used to backup your device or browse previously taken iTunes backup.
• • Works on all major Windows versions (XP or later) as well as Mac (10.6 or later)

3rd iPhone File Explorer: Macgo iPhone Explorer

This is another smart and effective iPhone explorer Mac and Windows, which is developed by Macgo. The desktop application is available for all the latest versions of Mac as well as Windows versions. If you have an iPhone 4s or a newer device, then you can use this iPhone or iPad explorer.

• • It has an extensive file explorer to let you navigate your device storage and perform various tasks.
• • You can also import/export your data between iOS device and computer.
• • The tool would only work if you have iTunes installed.
• • It also comes with an inbuilt device cleaner feature as well.
• • Can manage apps, delete unwanted apps, and install multiple apps together
• • Extremely safe and trustworthy tool

4th iPhone File Explorer: iMazing

This iPhone file explorer certainly lives up to its name by being an amazing application. You won’t need to connect to iTunes or iCloud to work with this iPhone explorer Windows and Mac. It has recently been updated by extending its compatibility with iOS 11 (iPhone X and 8).

• • The tool has an easy to use interface with different categories for music, videos, contacts, messages, etc.
• • Its “File System” feature will let you gain complete access to the device’s storage directory and files.
• • You can manage your media like photos, music, movies, and more by importing or exporting them between an iOS device and PC/Mac.
• • Dedicated solutions for backup, contacts management, app manager, and more.

5th iPhone File Explorer: iFunbox

Access the file system of your iPhone without the need to jailbreak it using this iPhone and iPad explorer. It has an advanced App Sandbox view that can let you access the directories on your device on a root level.

• • This iOS explorer can let you use your device like a USB flash drive too.
• • Transfer music between iPhone and computer, preview pictures, get rid of unwanted data and perform various other tasks to manage your device.
• • You can manage (uninstall or install) apps or convert them to .ipa files
• • It has an inbuilt game centre and app store
• • Freely available (basic version) for Mac and Windows PC

10 Best iOS File Manager to Manage your iPhone Files on Windows/Mac 2020

by Jenefey Aaron Updated on 2020-09-07 / Update for Top

Although iPhone provides Files app since iOS 11, it still cannot meet all your file management requirements such as deleting, adding, exporting files, transfering them to your other devices etc. In order to deal with customers’ trouble, many third-party companies provide iOS device file managers to perform various operations on the files and folders which are stored in your iPhone devices. However, not all the iOS file manager applications are cut to the task. 10 best iOS file manager tools, Tenorshare iCareFone included, have been filtered and listed out in this article especially for you.

Top 1: Tenorshare iCareFone — Easy-to-Use File Manager for iOS

Tenorshare iCareFone is the best file manager for iOS recommended here. it is easy-to-use with simple UI and helps fix all your file management woes with Photos, Music, Videos, Contacts, Messages, Apps, Books and Bookmarks importing, exporting, and deleting. Furthermore, One-click Exporting Photos to PC/Mac function saves your a lot of time to export photos to computer and it will not be a problem any more to backup and restore your data including whatsApp and LINE to PC, transfer WhatsApp and LINE between devices using this iPhone file manager.

System Supported: Windows and Mac

Devices Supported: iPhone 4/5/6/7/8/X/XR/XS/XS MAX/11/11 PRO/SE 2rd Generation, iPad Pro/iPad Air/iPad mini/iPad, iPod touch 5/4

Price: Win: $39.95/year Mac: $59.95/year

• Easily import/export/delete your iOS files including Photos, Music, Videos, Contacts, Messages, Apps, Books and Bookmarks and remove duplicates and those you do not want.
• This iOS file manager on Windows/Mac allows you to view your files directly on your computer before managing it.
• Flexibly transfer music, videos, contacts and other files between iOS devices and PC/Mac.
• Backup and restore your iOS device at ease.
• Unlike iCloud, this application doesn’t have any cloud storage limit.
• With its iOS system repair function, it can solve the problem of iPhone update stuck, Apple logo stuck, Black/white/blue screen, frozen screen, recovery mode stuck etc.

• Can only use backup service in free version.

Using Tenorshare iCarefone is very easy, just download and launch the software, connect your iPhone to the computer, and choose the required mode and it will do the work for you. If you want to manage certain files, just go to the “Manage” feature, choose the file types and start importing and exporting as you desire. Want to know more about how to use this complete file manager for iPhone? Click here.

Top 2: AnyTrans — Best iPhone File Transferer

This iOS file manager on Mac/Win — AnyTrans is specialized in transfering your iOS files between iDevices, computers, iTunes and iCloud. It also can backup your data in case to get data lose for unexpected event.

System Supported: Windows and Mac

Devices Supported: iPhone 3/4/5/6/7/8/X/XR/XS/XS MAX/11/11 PRO/11 PRO MAX/SE 2rd Generation, iPad series, iPod series

• Can copy and transfer any type of files between devices and from Device to iTunes/computer.
• Efficiently creates and manages device backup.
• Can easily integrate with the device’s iCloud and manage online storage.

• AnyTrans cannot replace iTunes completely.
• Cannot add files into iTunes library.
• Users will be restricted to working with only those files which are existing in the library.
• Library files can be modified only by iTunes and not by this app.
• Very costly when compared to the other third-party file manager applications available online.
• With 6309 KB, it takes long time to be downloaded and installed successfully.
• Upload error always comes out.

Top 3: Wondershare TunesGo — Powerful iPhone File Manager(Media and Photos)

Wondershare TunesGo as one of the best iPhone file managers can transfer and backup media files between iTunes and iPhone, iPhone and computer, iPhone and iPhone. With the feature to add, delete, preview photos and add photos to album, it is easy to manage your photos.

System Supported: Windows and Mac

Devices Supported: iPhone 5/6/7/8/X, iPad series, iPod series

• Files can be transferred without the help of iTunes.
• Create GIFs with existing photos .

• Mainly designed to transfer music between devices.
• Cannot clean up junk files.
• Unable to repair corrupted iOS system.
• Functions like restoration of data and device back up cannot be performed by this application.
• Cannot transfer playlists from iTunes.

Top 4: Macgo iPhone Explorer- Free Best File Manager for iPhone (iPhone 6/5/4)

The Macgo iPhone Explorer — free iOS file manager that lets you manage the files and folders on your device by allowing transfer of data, addition, and deletion of information and organizes your iOS device’s files efficiently.

System Supported: Windows and Mac

Devices Supported: iPhone 6/5/4

• It offers a safe and trustworthy way to transfer your device data between iPhone and Win/Mac.
• Manages and modifies app files.
• It is a free software

• This program only supports iPhone 6/5/4 and can only work on Mac OS X 10.12 and earlier version. Latest iDevices and Mac are not compatible.
• It is very difficult to manage files using this application.
• Application fails to function sometimes.

Top 5: PhoneView for Mac — Professional iOS File Manager for Mac

PhoneView for Mac provides instant access to all your personal data on iOS device. It is easy to view SMS, iMessages, WhatsApp messages and export them to PDF files. What’s more, you can access to voicemails and call history and send them to iTunes.

System Supported: Mac

Devices Supported: iPhone or iPod Touch running iPhone iOS 2.0 or later

• Great software to access messages, call history and save them to computers.

• The trial version of this application limits the number of items displayed.
• This application is not compatible with Windows PC.
• Without iTunes, it does not work. So it cannot work on MacOS Catalina 10.15.

Top 6: Dropbox — Robust iOS iPhone Management Software

Dropbox is one of the most popular iOS file manager for Windows/Mac. It has been proved to efficiently replace iCloud storage services. You can backup and upload your data from your IOS to Dropbox.

System Supported: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and online

Devices Supported: All iDevices

• Very reliable and fast.
• Hardly has any issues related to file synchronization.
• Files can be shared easily.

• Basic plan offers up to 2GB to transfer files.
• Only has storage and transfer functions.
• Dropbox sync doesn’t work reliably when you are using it in a remote area with limited internet connectivity.
• Really expensive.

Top 7: Wondershare Dr.Fone- The Complete iPhone File Manager for PC

This complete iOS Data Manager application — Wondershare Dr.Fone is developed by Wondershare, which is capable of performing almost iPhone transfer, data backup and restore, and data erase. The recovery feature of this software is one of the best in the market.

System Supported: Windows and Mac

Devices Supported: iPhone with iOS 13, iOS 12/12.3, iOS 11, iOS 10.3, iOS 10, iOS 9 and former

• Its full toolkit includes a lot functions.
• The backup file can be accessed and read any time.

• Very expensive.
• It has problems identifying and detecting iPhone initially.
• The trial version has very few usable features.
• Works very slowly.

Top 8: iFunbox Software — iOS File and App Management Tool

iFunbox Software helps the users in managing applications and multmedias, and photos. You can download, install and uninstall applications with this iOS file manager for PC.

System Supported: Windows and Mac

Devices Supported: iPhone 5/6/7

• File transfer speed is very good.
• There is no requirement to connect to iTunes while using this software to manage iPhone data.

• Sometimes, this software fails to connect to iTunes library.
• Issues related to permission of this software have been reported several times.
• It has a pretty complex user interface, making it suitable only for jailbroken iDevice.
• Ad is really annoying.

Top 9: iMazing — Smart iPhone Transfer and Backup Software

iMazing lives up to its name of being amazing. To use this software, you won’t need to connect to iCloud or iTunes to be able to work on Mac and Windows. It has been updated recently to be compatible with iOS 13 devices. As iOS 8/ 8.3/11/12/13 file manager, it can move iOS files between iPhone and computer or backup important data.

System Supported: Windows and Mac

Devices Supported: All iPhone, iPad and iPod

• It has comprehensive file management controls.
• Free to backup data.

• It does not transfer podcasts, audiobooks, and voice memos.
• The “1-click transfer” feature is absent in this software and hence, fast transfer cannot be aided by this software.

Top 10: iExplorer — Lightweight iPhone manager for PC/Mac

iExplorer is an iPhone file manager developed by Macroplant which can transfer your iPhone files from iPhone or iTunes backup to your PC. It’s easy-to-use features are very popular among iOS device users. More than 20 types of files can be managed by this software.

System Supported: Windows and Mac

Devices Supported: All iPhone, iPad and iPod

• Has a simpler and more visual user interface when compared to many other iOS file manager app available online.

• To use this, latest version of iTunes has to be installed in your device.
• The application crashes sometimes while performing certain functions.

Conclusion

Although there are many applications available for the file and data management of iOS device, they do come with limitations. Considering all the above points, it can be concluded that, Tenorshare iCareFone is the perfect tool to migrate any kind of information and data from any iOS device to PC/Mac and manage it effortlessly with importing, exporting and deleting data without any hassle. Additionally, its WhatsApp transfer between devices (iOS/Android) and LINE transfer from iOS to iOS are functions liked most by customers.