iMazing Review – What iTunes Should’ve Been

Reviews • Feb. 3, 2021

The Apple iPhone and the entire ecosystem have become a revered range of lifestyle gadgets that people can’t seem to get enough of. The Apple community is continually being bombarded with support software and accessories to improve areas where the proprietary software seems to falter. With a heavily restrictive ecosystem put in place by Apple, it’s challenging to achieve the same user freedom that Android has been blessed with. However, that’s the price most users are willing to pay since Apple brings stability, performance, and compatibility but sacrifices at the expense and freedom.

If you’re looking to get into the Apple ecosystem and keep the freedom of choice, along with the ability to transfer data quickly? In that case, a tool that can help with back-ups or data transfers for an iPhone or Apple device that surpasses iTunes’ limitations is essential, which is why iMazing has you covered. With features that can bring a slew of features to your iDevices, such as back-up and transfer of data, music, videos, or even text messages, iMazing does it all and does it with ease.

Note: iMazing 2 is available for macOS and Windows. We tested the app on a MacBook Pro 13′ running Intel Core i5 processor for this review.  

What is iMazing?

Developed by “DigiDNA”, the software was first released in 2008 as “DiskAid” and then renamed “iMazing.” As the name suggests, it is an “amazing” management tool that functions like a Swiss Army knife. It allows data transfers between all Apple devices (iPads, iPhones, iPods, Macs) and supports Windows and macOS. iMazing essentially lets you manage every aspect of your iOS and iPadOS device, allowing you to back-up and restore your devices wirelessly and effortlessly.

For instance, you use iCloud to back up your photos and transfer full-resolution files to the PC or Mac hard drive. Unlike iTunes, iMazing makes this uber easy by sharing pictures and exports other aspects such as texts and voicemails to my computer without any hassle. However, the real winning feature is transferring specific app data to various devices on a per-app basis.

The tool promises to deliver various things, such as backups, migration of data from one phone to another, and transfer of app-data on a per-app basis. Let’s get on with the steps on installing it and looking at how well everything works.

Getting started with iMazing

With thousands of stellar reviews from long-term users, iMazing has become a dependable data-device management tool for all Apple devices. The features it provides are something of a rarity in the ecosystem, succeeding even the limitations of Apple’s very own iTunes app, and makes the process simple with straightforward instructions. The user experience is as narrowed-down as it gets, with everything easily accessible. It gives the power users a robust settings window to do all of their tinkerings with ease. The installation process is simple and straightforward and can be done in under five minutes with the following steps:

Step 1: Head on to the iMazing website found here and continue to the downloading process.

Step 2: Download the software, and don’t worry about the device as the website automatically detects what OS you’re using.

Step 3: Install or run the downloaded file and continue by clicking next.

Step 4: Complete the installation process by following the directions the installer provides.

Step 5: After the installation process is completed, run the software and enjoy all its benefits and features with ease.

Note: iMazing provides some features that are free of cost, but for a full experience and all the exclusive features, you will need to get an activation key or license by buying the software.

With the installation steps covered, let’s get to the breakdown and what we think of iMazing as a iOS management tool.

iMazing detailed review

As dedicated Apple fanboys, we are always on the lookout for a better iTunes replacement. As experiencing the Android ecosystem’s freedom, Apple’s offering always seemed weak and lackluster, and with that, a solution became necessary.

Whether getting thousands of photos backed-up to having the ability to transfer all data from one phone to another, nothing was ever as simple as a single click away. So if you’re stuck on the same boat as me and don’t want to get into the underperforming software available, then iMazing would fare to be an asset to you as it is to me. iMazing provided a variety of features but without getting all into it, let’s dive into some of my favorites and what I think would benefit you the best.

Data transfer and backups – all locked down

With the newer iPhones, the brittle glass body makes a significant difference in durability, it is no wonder that most damages occur to the back, and a simple drop can ruin your device. So, being cautious and careful would be the primary choice, and using backups to your advantage is the crucial aspect you should be looking into.

The same as iTunes, the backup feature will always be handy, and it proved to us the same. The backups we did were clean and fast with easy restoration ability, and they also provide a function that allows us to do incremental backups saving time and resources.

A winning feature of iMazing, in our opinion, was the ability to create Automatic Backups, which entirely eliminates the need for the premium backup solution of Apple iCloud. Unlike iCloud which limits your ability to backup content and the amount of data you can backup, iMazing takes it a step further with the Wi-Fi Connection feature, which untethers your iPhone or iPad from the Mac and allows you to keep your contacts, messages, WhatsApp chats, music, and everything else backed up safely.

When it comes to down to the Data Transfer ability, iMazing does not hold back, with a slew of features to not only transfer files between the macOS computer and the iDevice, but across multiple devices. All you need to do is hit the Quick Transfer button to drag and drop files directly into the iPhone or iPad.

Additonally, the option to Transfer to another device enables you to swap content such as media photos as videos, messages, contacts, calendar entries, and so much more. If you ever needed to just move the data our of your iPad and Export All Data to the computer, iMazing allows you to do so with just a click. However, unlike iTunes which bundles everything together into an encrypted backup file, iMazing lets you handpick elements such as Photos, Videos, Books, Call History, Voicemail, and so much more.

The transfers work as they are supposed to. It was seamless and quick, and the data transfers to the desktop or other iPhone and Android devices worked the same without any hiccups.

iMazing photos – for the pros

I was very impressed with the iMazing Photos. At first glance, it seemed to be another generic photo management tool that worked well, but with the more significant inspection, we realized that, and mind the pun, there was a bigger picture to look forward to.

The “iMazing Photos” feature brought a lot to the table with ease of life features that people like you and me will appreciate. We all have been in a situation where we want to clean our gallery, but the amount and bulk of unwanted photos may be a disaster to look at, and it was the same with me. However, the batch deletion worked a charm in getting unwanted images deleted with a single click that, trust me, saves a lot of time.

However, this is not the end, and with the ability to convert photos and manage the new ProRAW images, the entire section could be a fantastic app in itself.

The conversion feature allows you to save a ton of time and storage capacity when transferring thousands of high-resolution photos. Converting the images to lighter formats such as “.jpeg or .png” could lead to a faster transfer rate and more significant storage space.

As with ProRAW, as Apple states, it is a new file format for better and higher detailed RAW images that provide a tonne of data for further editing, and a tool that helps manage this file format becomes a gold choice in any design. This won’t be of any use to you if you don’t shoot in RAW and would only benefit the enthusiasts.

Device management – managing iOS straight from desktop

The iOS management feature didn’t bring anything new, and the same can be done using iTunes. Still, the fact that it’s present and works flawlessly with any update checks and re-installation will remain a boon to the users of iMazing. This is not something we base our review on entirely but is still a great feature to have, and well, the more you get for your money, the better.

Another niche and undervalued option that most people glance over. But my technical mind and curious side got the better of me, and if you’re anything the same, the detailed device information the software provides can help you learn a lot from the performance of the CPU to the health of your iPhones’ battery.

Verdict: is iMazing the iOS manager you need?

Yes and no, it all depends on your situation. If you’re okay with the hassle, limitations, and contrast barrage of error messages that iTunes is known for, and don’t want to splurge on a premium software, then iMazing may not be your cup of tea. However, at some point in time, you are going to end up needing a dependable data transfer app for your iDevice on macOS. Apple ditching iTunes on macOS should tell you enough about the direction in which the future of the official data back-up app for iOS is moving, and that’s a sinking ship you don’t want to be on.

The very reason iMazing has been popular among long-time Apple users is that these users have been sick and tired of the shortcomings of iTunes and most other free data back-up apps out there. Not only bringing you the best set of features that any layman or pro user could expect, iMazing presents you all of it in a pretty package, supported by a clean user interface that takes no time to get used to. We recommend iMazing as your all-in-one back-up, data recovery, and media management tool for macOS, and while it does come at a premium price, you’ll find it worth every cent.

Pros
  • Easy and Reliable to use
  • Provides features such as back-ups and restoration
  • Can export app data and files
  • It is an excellent replacement to iTunes as it excels on all fields and also delivers exclusive function that iTunes doesn’t have
  • Can help to update and re-installing iOS with just a tap
  • It doesn’t require iTunes to work
Cons
  • It has a cost and isn’t completely free to use.

(However, all useful tools come at a price, and any other software offering the features for free are hazardous or even can be equipped with viruses)

Price
  • Device License (start from $34.99)
    With the Device License, you link your iPhone, iPad or iPod to your iMazing license for the entire lifetime of the device. No paid updates, and no computer limitations.
  • Unlimited Devices (subscription at $44.99 per year)
    With the Unlimited Devices subscription, you enjoy unrestricted use of iMazing with any iPhone, iPad, or both your home and office computers, whether they’re Mac or PC. It’s more popular for those who manage lots of devices.

FAQs

Does iMazing have a free version?

Yes, iMazing is free with a premium trial built-in. However, iMazing requires a paid key or a license to unlock all the advanced features, including the ability to restore back-ups and extended data transfers.

Is iMazing safe?

Yes, iMazing is 100% safe with no issues regarding data theft or usage. It also works flawlessly with any Apple device without getting locked out, and no data is used by iMazing. Hence, it is one of the safest tools out in the market.

Do I need to have a jailbroken device to use iMazing?

No, iMazing works perfectly with all the iPhones and iPads without any requirement of being jailbroken. It is also preferred to keep your device stock as jailbreaking can bring much trouble if not handled properly.

Does iMazing support Apple ProRAW photos?

Yes, as discussed earlier, the new ProRAW format is supported, and the file transfers work flawlessly with the inclusion of converting those files to any other lightweight formats.

Does iMazing support iOS 16 and native Apple silicon?

Yes, iMazing perfectly runs on the M1/M2 silicon Macs and as well on the latest iOS version 16. There are no present bungs, and the software feels buttery-smooth.

Final words

In short, it is clear that iMazing is a sweet data and device management tool for Apple devices and should be considered a primary tool for anyone looking for advanced features such as Backups or Data Migration. The process is very straightforward and can be done by anyone. The application is very secure and prioritizes the user’s data and privacy with a clean user experience built-in.

We have tried our best to deliver you all the content available with everything covered up for the review. Don’t forget that you can download a free trial of iMazing to experience any info mentioned above and see if it suits you best.

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