It’s cool to have an iPhone or iPad. It’s fancy and handy… until the moment one needs to copy files from or to a Windows PC. iTunes was supposed to simplify the transfer process, but it had many inconveniences. Users couldn’t always install iTunes on Windows, the iPhone was not always detected well. In this article, we’re going to talk about new alternatives to iTunes from Apple and other software developers.
What has replaced iTunes?
In 2023, Apple divided iTunes features between new software programs for Windows: Apple Music, Apple TV and Apple Devices.
Before
Manage podcasts and audiobooks
Copy photos from PC to iPhone and vice versa
Manage music
Manage books and films
Back up and restore the device
Now
→ still present in iTunes
→ replaced by Apple Devices app for Windows
→ replaced by Apple Music app for Windows
→ partially replaced by Apple TV app for Windows
→ replaced by Apple Devices app for Windows
We’ve compared and ranked iTunes alternatives based on its original functions. Select the feature from the list below to learn more about other options:
- Import or export photos
- Manage music and audiobooks
- Back up and restore the device
- Back up contacts and messages
- Manage books, documents, and films
iTunes alternative to manage photos
The recent iTunes versions no longer support photo transfer. To sync photos from your Windows computer to your iPhone, you can use Apple Devices. If you prefer to make a normal transfer via drag and drop, opt for the alternative called CopyTrans Photo. We will show you how to proceed below.
How to copy photos from PC to iPhone without iTunes?
Apple Devices syncs a folder on your Windows PC with your iPhone Photo Library.
- Go to the “Photos” tab.
- Then, select a folder with photos you wish to copy to your iPhone.
- At the end, click on “Apply”.
The sync feature has a big disadvantage. Let’s imagine you don’t want to keep the photos on your PC anymore. So, you delete some photos from the synced folder on your PC. Apple Devices syncs your iPhone every time it’s connected to the PC, sometimes it even works via Wi-Fi. It means that the photos deleted from the synced folder on the PC will also be deleted from the phone.
You can use another tool to drag and drop photos and videos to or from your iPhone without sync, which makes the process easier. The alternative to Apple Devices is called CopyTrans Photo.
Edward
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Product: CopyTrans Photo
This did the trick. We have thousands of photos on the pc and used iTunes to get them onto our phones. My wife however kept complaining as to why she had so many pictures of my hobby (Building ship models) on her phone and could I remove them. I could have course rearranged everything on my pc and reloaded her “selection” via iTunes again. But I then found CopyTransPhoto, and in just a few minutes (it was so easy to use), I was able to completely rearrange the photos on her phone exactly as she wanted them. CTP is an excellent piece of kit.
To add pictures or videos from your PC to your iPhone:
- First, download CopyTrans Photo and install it on your Windows PC. Use the installation guide, if necessary. Download CopyTrans Photo
- Launch the app, unlock your phone and connect it to the PC.
CopyTrans Photo is divided into 2 parts:- The left part shows the photos and albums on your iDevice.
- Pictures and folders of your PC are displayed in the right part.
- Find pictures you wish to copy on the right side. Open the “Photos” album or create a new one on the left side. Drag and drop the pictures or videos from the right part to this album.
- Don’t forget to click on “Apply changes” when it’s done. And that’s it!
⭐ Refer to the articles “How to transfer photos from computer to iPhone?” and “How to import photos from iPhone to PC?” to see other ways to copy photos.
Why is CopyTrans Photo better than Apple Devices or iTunes?
- Drag and drop photos without sync
- No duplicates
- Album structure is preserved
- Copy iPhone photos to the PC in HEIC or convert them to JPG
- Save Live Photos
Alternative to iTunes to manage music
The new Apple software to manage iPhone music is called Apple Music for Windows. The synchronization works the same way as in the old iTunes. However, the new software isn’t always stable. The device is not always detected, the music files are not always shown or synced correctly.
There are more stable and proven programs for music transfer:
How to drag and drop music to iPhone ?
Mark
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Product: CopyTrans Manager
I hate using iTunes, and CopyTrans Manager is the perfect substitute- lets me easily move music to my phone, with none of the hassles! And if you encounter even a minor problem, their Customer Support is the best. Highly highly recommend this app!
Welcome CopyTrans Manager, a free iTunes and Apple Music alternative. The software program can add music, ringtones, audiobooks, and even videos to your iOS device!
The transfer takes a few clicks:
- Download and install CopyTrans Manager on your Windows PC. Here’s the installation guide if necessary. Download CopyTrans Manager
- Next, launch the app and connect your iDevice to the PC.
- Drag and drop music files from a folder to your iPhone. The software will automatically sort the music files by categories (music, audiobooks, ringtones, podcasts) according to the file extension.
- Click on the “Update” button on top to apply changes. You will find songs in the Music app on your iPhone, audiobooks – in the Books app, videos – in the Apple TV app, ringtones – in your device settings.
⭐ See the article “How to copy music from PC to iPhone” for more solutions.
Why is CopyTrans Manager better than Apple Music or iTunes?
- Copy songs, ringtones, audiobooks, and films from your PC to your iPhone/ iPad/ iPod
- Delete music files of your iPhone/ iPad/ iPod
- Will not erase your current music library
- Totally free
Export music from iPhone to PC
Sergio
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Product: CopyTrans
It’s so frustrating that when my pc or iTunes crashes, I need to relabel all my old music. I have 5,000 songs since 1998 before being able to buy digital songs. This makes it so easy to get all my music back into iTunes from my phone without typing in all the song data. Thank you!
We recommend using CopyTrans to transfer music from your Apple device to a PC. This software program can copy the entire iPhone / iPad / iPod music library in 2 clicks.
So, to export music to a folder on your PC or a USB stick :
- First of all, download and install CopyTrans on your PC. Follow the installation guide if necessary. Download CopyTrans
- Then launch the program and connect your iOS device to the PC.
- You can now click on “Folder” and select the destination folder for the backup.
- You can also customize your backup: select the music files to copy and modify the folder structure of the backup. To do so, go to the “Classic mode” in the lower left corner of the window.
⭐ Find more instructions and other solutions in the article “How to transfer music from iPhone to computer?“
Why is CopyTrans better than iTunes or Apple Music?
- Copy your entire iPhone music library to the PC or a USB drive
- Select music files to export
- Customize the folder structure of your backup
Free iTunes alternative for iPhone backups
The new Apple app for backups and restores on Windows is called Apple Devices. It is almost identical to the old iTunes – you have to click the “Back up now” button in the main menu, and the software will make a backup to the default folder (Where are the backups stored?). To restore a backup, click on “Restore Backup” and select a backup from the list.
Even though Apple Devices sees your iCloud backups, it can only make new backups to your PC. It cannot restore iCloud backups either – it can only restore the backups present in the native backup folder on your PC. Fortunately, there’s a free alternative that gives more flexibility.
How to back up and restore iPhone without iTunes?
Use CopyTrans Shelbee if you’re looking for a more user-friendly app. You can also add an extra password to your backup and select any destination folder, even on a USB drive.
Marvin
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Product: CopyTrans Shelbee
I was using a work issued iPhone for both my business and private needs. Some time ago, I decided that I wanted to separate my work and private stuff to two different iPhones. However, I could not restore the backup of the work iPhone to my private iPhone, because then all the configuration profiles, the work Apple-ID, VPN settings etc. would be copied over to my new iPhone, which I cannot delete on the new iPhone, since these settings are locked by my workplace. So I used CopyTrans Shelbee to create a backup of my work iPhone and did a partial restore. This way, all my photos, contacts and private apps were copied over to my new iPhone without all the business stuff. Everything worked flawlessly and after the restore I could pick up my new private iPhone and immediately start using it. The support was also very nice and helpful. Thanks CopyTrans, the price for the full version is completely justified and fair.
The nice iTunes and Apple Devices app alternative offers you a possibility to make full backups and restores for free. You can also purchase a 2-year license for 19.99 USD to make backups of the latest changes only, to perform selective restores, and to back up app data (such as game scores). This is something neither iTunes nor Apple Devices can do.
To make a full iPhone/ iPad backup on Windows :
- Download and install CopyTrans Shelbee normally on your PC. Check the installation guide if necessary. Download CopyTrans Shelbee
- Next, launch the program and connect your iDevice to the PC.
- Click on Backup -> Full backup on the main screen.
- You can add app data to your backup if you enter your Apple ID credentials. The connection is secured and your data isn’t sent to any server.
The backup will take considerably more time, but it is worth it. If an app is deleted from the App Store, you’ll still be able to restore it.
NB – it’s a paid feature. If you untick the box, the game progress and other app data won’t be copied. WhatsApp will be fully backed up and restored anyway. - If CopyTrans Shelbee asks for a password to make a backup, it means that your iPhone is encrypted by iTunes. How to reset the iOS backup password?
⭐ You can find more useful explanations in the article “How to back up iPhone to PC without iTunes?”
It’s just as easy to restore your iPhone or iPad later on:
- Launch CopyTrans Shelbee and click on “Full restore”.
- Enter the encryption password and your Apple ID to restore the backed up apps. Wait until the process is finished.
⭐ Find more tips in the article “How to restore iPhone ?“
Why is CopyTrans Shelbee better than iTunes or Apple Devices app?
- Back up your device to a folder of your choice on your PC or external hard drive
- Make a full or custom restore of your iPhone/ iPad
- Back up and restore app data
iTunes alternative for Windows to back up contacts and messages
Neither iTunes nor Apple Devices can manage your contacts, messages, calendars or notes. These apps are included in the iTunes and Apple Devices back up, unless they are synced with iCloud.
CopyTrans Contacts can make the process easier.
To back up your contacts, calendars, notes, SMS, MMS, WhatsApp and Viber messages (photos and voice messages included):
- You first need to download and install CopyTrans Contacts on your PC. Check the installation guide if needed. Download CopyTrans Contacts
- Launch the app. If your device was encrypted by iTunes, please enter the iOS backup password.
It’s important to wait until the app finishes loading data. You can see the progress in the lower right corner. - You can navigate between data types using the left panel. Here’s how you can back up iPhone contacts to the PC.
Toggle the contacts you want to export, then click on “Export selected”. You can choose a format you prefer. See the article “How to transfer contacts from iPhone to computer” for more solutions.
- You can also import the contacts to another device afterwards. See the article “Import contacts to iPhone” to see all possible ways to copy contacts from the PC to an iPhone.
It’s possible to back up your messages, calendars and notes to your PC the same way. But you won’t be able to import the messages or the notes to another or the same device.
Why is CopyTrans Contacts better than iTunes ?
- Manage contacts and calendars between your iPhone, iCloud and Google accounts
- Transfer contacts and calendars to another iOS device
- Back up your SMS, MMS, Viber and WhatsApp with the attachments. View or share them with your friends from your PC.
iTunes alternative for file transfer
If you use non-native apps from App Store to manage documents, read books, watch films or listen to music, you’ll love CopyTrans Filey.
This is a free alternative to iTunes, Apple Devices and Apple TV that can transfer files between an iOS device and a Windows PC.
To copy a document or a film to your iDevice:
- Start with installing CopyTrans Filey on your Windows PC. See the installation guide for more details. Download CopyTrans Filey
- Launch the program and select an app at the bottom. These are the apps you installed from App Store.
- Drag and drop files from your PC to CopyTrans Filey and wait until they copy.
⭐ For more details, see the articles “How to transfer eBooks and PDF documents to iPad, iPhone, or iPod?” and “How to put movies on iPad“.
Why is CopyTrans Filey better than iTunes and Apple TV ?
- Add documents, videos, and music directly to non-native apps you installed on your iPhone/ iPad/ iPod from App Store
- Connect your device to the PC via Wi-Fi
- Use your iPhone as a USB drive
Conclusion – iTunes alternative for Windows
CopyTrans software is a handy alternative to iTunes, Apple Devices, Apple Music or Apple TV for Windows. You can also use CopyTrans programs to manage iPhone data on PC easier. What is CopyTrans and what can it do?
- How to transfer all the iPhone photos to a PC? Use CopyTrans Photo.
- Is there a cheaper alternative to Apple Music? Use a free iTunes alternative CopyTrans Manager.
- How to back up and restore iPhone without iTunes? CopyTrans Shelbee can do it.
- Do you wish to put books or movies to your iPad? Do it for free with CopyTrans Filey.
Related articles :
- How to make a ringtone on iPhone
- Transfer music from iPod to iPhone
- How to transfer videos from iPhone to computer?
- How to delete iPhone photos on PC?
