iExplorer Review: Is It Worth the Purchase in 2023?

After evaluating iPhone data transfer software like iMazing, today we will take a look at iExplorer. This software has a brilliant history dating back to 2009, from the initial release of iPhone Explorer (the predecessor of iExplorer), and has evolved over more than a decade. Similar to Decipher TextMessage, its developing company, Macroplant LLC, is also based in the United States, specifically in Boston, Massachusetts.

In the following review, we will delve into the features, cons, and pros of iExplorer from multiple dimensions, providing a comprehensive reference for your software usage experience.

What is iExplorer? Get My Opinion

iExplorer is a very mature iOS data management software with over a decade of history, focusing on data backup and transfer. Its disk mounting feature stands out, coupled with prompt customer service responses and multi-platform operability.

However, the software falls short in terms of timely updates for new systems, dependency on iTunes, and the inability to transfer files from PC to iOS apps, which can be inconvenient. Compared to products at the same price point, it lacks some features, rendering it less cost-effective. Although there are free and paid versions available, the absence of more advanced features and insufficient investment in the development of new functionalities make it slightly inferior in a competitive market.

Reasons to Use iExplorer:

• Backup Expertise: iExplorer greatly emphasizes iOS data backup functionalities, offering authoritative and efficient solutions for data transfer and export, ensuring users can easily export data from iOS devices to computers.
• Rapid Customer Service Response: The customer service feedback of iExplorer is very prompt. Users can typically receive responses to their queries within a day, providing timely and effective support.
• Unique Disk Mounting Feature: The disk mounting feature of iExplorer is a significant characteristic, setting it apart from other similar software, and facilitating more convenient data management and transfer.
• Extensive Device and Platform Support: iExplorer supports iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices, and can be installed and operated on both Windows and Mac operating systems, offering good compatibility.

Go to download iExplorer >

Reasons to Not Use iExplorer:

• Low Frequency of Updates: The updates for iExplorer’s website and software are not frequent enough, and the lack of ample support for new systems might affect the user experience.
  

  iExplorer latest updates

• Dependency on iTunes: The media library and backup functionalities of iExplorer require iTunes to function properly; otherwise, it may get stuck on the loading screen, causing inconvenience to users.
  

  iExplorer stuck in Reading Media Library

• Unable to Transfer Files from PC to iOS Apps: iExplorer lacks the functionality to transfer files from PC to corresponding apps on iOS devices, a feature that is a basic provision in other software at the same price point, and even offered for free in some.
• Lower Cost-effectiveness: Compared to software at the same price point (such as iMazing), iExplorer is slightly lacking in features. The frequency of updates and investment in the development of new functionalities in recent years are not sufficient, leading to lower cost-effectiveness.

Main Features Overview

iExplorer serves as a desktop application engineered for managing data on iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Its core functionalities encompass:

• Music and Playlist Transfer: It empowers users to transfer music and playlists from their devices to computers and iTunes, also featuring a one-click option to copy all content to iTunes.
• iOS Data Access: Users can access and export photos, videos, messages, contacts, voicemails, notes, calendar events, call logs, Safari history, and bookmarks from their devices to computers.
• Disk Mounting: This feature allows mounting of the device’s media, apps, and backup directories to Finder or Windows Explorer for easier browsing and data transfer.
• File System Access: Provides read-write access to the device’s media and app directories, along with access to the device backup directories and app iCloud directories.

System Compatibility

For iExplorer 4, the system requirements include macOS 10.10 or higher and iTunes. In the case of Windows, it requires Windows 7, 8, 10, or higher along with iTunes. For iExplorer 3, the supported iOS versions range from iOS 1-9, macOS versions range from 10.6 – 10.11, and for Windows PC, the requirements include Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.

Is iExplorer Safe to Use?

The data on our phones is a treasure trove of personal information, making it crucial to question the safety of data management software like iExplorer.

According to our research, although installing iExplorer on Windows computers triggers a security prompt, the software downloaded from Macroplant’s official website carries a digital signature, attesting to its development by a legitimate software company.

Furthermore, iExplorer can be found on reputable download platforms like CNET and Software Informer. These sites place a high priority on software safety, with dedicated software experts performing evaluations. This somewhat demonstrates the safety of iExplorer.

Lastly, a significant security concern for data management software is whether it transmits data to network servers. Our tests showed that iExplorer primarily operates locally and does not connect to the network to upload data, indicating a relative level of safety on this front.

iExplorer Free vs. Paid

iExplorer Free vs. Paid

Feature/Version	Free Version	Paid Version
Music Transfer
Transfer music to computer and iTunes	Limited to 10 tracks / a time	Yes
Transfer and rebuild playlists	Limited to 10 tracks / a time	Yes
Music and media playback on device	Yes	Yes
One-click copy all content to iTunes	No	Yes
Device Data Access
Access text messages and iMessages	View only	View and export
Access contact list and call history	View only	View and export
Access voicemails	View only	View and export
Access Notes, Calendar, and Reminder	View only	View and export
Access Safari history and bookmarks	View only	View and export
Access photos and videos	View only	View and export
Disk Mounting
Mount media, apps, and backup directories	Limited to 150MB	Yes
Mount device’s music library	Same as above	Yes
File System Access
Read/Write device media directory	Yes	Yes
Read/Write device app directory	Yes	Yes
Read device backup directory	Yes	Yes
Read/Write app iCloud directory	Yes (Mac only)	Yes (Mac only)
Create directory bookmarks	Yes	Yes

iExplorer History

In June 2009, iPhone Explorer, the predecessor to iExplorer, was initially launched on iphone-explorer.com. The main feature at that time was to use the iPhone as a flash drive, allowing users to add or remove files and folders on the iPhone through simple drag-and-drop operations. It was only compatible with Mac computers and was free of charge. (Simultaneously released was a paid app for the iPhone called GoodReader. It facilitated users in viewing and managing files uploaded from the computer to the iPhone in various formats such as PDF, text, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML, iWork, audio, and video.)

By July 2009, iPhone Explorer quickly released a Windows version to support file transfer between the iPhone and PCs.

In February 2010, with the establishment of Microplant, the iPhone Explorer product moved to a new website, macroplant.com. The new version, besides basic file transfer and management features, could access the iPhone’s root directory and recover address book, text messages, emails, etc., if the device was jailbroken.

In 2011, Macroplant launched an early version of iExplorer Mobile, Awesome Files, on the App Store to help users organize and transfer music, videos, PDFs, and photos among other files. It supported device-to-device transfer, file management, file compression/decompression, file transfer via iTunes and WiFi, and direct file downloading from the internet to the app.

In September 2011, iPhone Explorer was officially renamed to iExplorer, with a logo update. In October, iExplorer introduced a unique feature allowing users to install Siri on non-iPhone 4S devices like the iPhone 4 and 3G as well as the iPad, providing access to Siri for users with older devices.

In July 2012, iExplorer 3 was officially released, incorporating and enhancing significant features from various popular apps by the company, aimed at offering the ultimate manager for iPhone, iPod, and iPad. The new version introduced music library access, multifunctional disk mounting, app directory browsing, and viewing and exporting of text messages, and call logs among other data. Though iExplorer 3 was a paid version priced at 35 dollars, users upgrading from iExplorer 2 still had free access to basic file system browsing features.

In November 2012, iExplorer 3.2 was considered the biggest update since iExplorer 3.0, adding a more user-friendly device home screen, updated and improved app icons, smart backup decoding, and other features.

From 2013 to the present, even with the release of iExplorer 4 in 2017, there hasn’t been much change or updates in terms of features, mainly focusing on software functionality maintenance and compatibility with new devices.

iExplorer’s Company

Macroplant LLC is a company that has been providing innovative solutions in data management since 2008, with its headquarters located in Boston, Massachusetts. The flagship desktop application of the company, iExplorer, stands as a leading iPhone management solution in the market. In addition, their web application DocHub offers a leading solution for signing PDFs and documents online. iExplorer, developed by Macroplant LLC, aims to assist individuals and businesses in managing their data more effectively, particularly data related to iOS devices.

The company was founded by Chris Devor, who also serves as the CEO. The team at Macroplant LLC includes support specialist Mike Dalehite, software architect Bryan Pierce, customer relations lead Josh Bautista, developer Joshua Wilkosz, and software developer Mike Cedrone.