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Apple Configurator 2 VS iExplorer

Compare Apple Configurator 2 VS iExplorer and see what are their differences

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Apple Configurator 2 logo Apple Configurator 2

Access resources, contact options and learn about mass configuration and iOS deployment options for your institution's devices with Apple Configurator.

iExplorer logo iExplorer

iExplorer lets you easily transfer music, playlists, text messages, files and more from any iPhone, iPod, or iPad to a Mac or Windows computer and iTunes.
  • Apple Configurator 2 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-14
  • iExplorer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-12-20

Apple Configurator 2 features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Apple Configurator 2 offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for administrators to configure and deploy devices, especially in a large educational or business setting.
  • Mass Configuration
    The tool allows for mass configuration of multiple iOS and macOS devices, enabling quick and uniform setup across a fleet of devices.
  • Integration with Apple School Manager and Apple Business Manager
    Apple Configurator 2 integrates seamlessly with Apple School Manager and Apple Business Manager, facilitating efficient management of apps, books, and devices.
  • Support for Automated Enrollment
    It supports automated device enrollment, allowing devices to automatically join an organization's Mobile Device Management (MDM) system upon activation.
  • Comprehensive Device Supervision
    Provides the ability to supervise iOS devices, enabling more advanced configurations and restrictions that enhance security and functionality.

Possible disadvantages of Apple Configurator 2

  • Limited to Apple Ecosystem
    Apple Configurator 2 is specifically designed for Apple devices, which limits its use to environments heavily invested in Apple's ecosystem.
  • Requires macOS
    The software only runs on macOS, which means organizations must have access to a Mac to use Apple Configurator 2.
  • Complexity for Beginners
    While the interface is user-friendly, the depth of features can be overwhelming for users who are not familiar with device management concepts.
  • Dependency on Apple Services
    The tool's functionality is tightly integrated with other Apple services, which can be a limitation if there are issues with those services or changes in terms of use.
  • Limited Cross-Platform Support
    There is limited support for managing non-Apple devices, which can be a drawback for organizations using a mixed-device environment.

iExplorer features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    iExplorer boasts an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users at all skill levels.
  • Compatibility
    The software is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, ensuring broad usability.
  • Versatile Data Management
    Allows users to manage and transfer a wide array of data types, including music, text messages, contacts, and more.
  • No Jailbreak Required
    iExplorer does not require a jailbroken device, preserving the integrity and warranty of the user's iOS device.
  • Backup and Export Capabilities
    Users can easily backup and export data from their iOS devices to their computer to prevent data loss.

Possible disadvantages of iExplorer

  • Cost
    iExplorer is not free; while there is a demo version, the full features require a paid license.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of iExplorer is severely limited in functionality, which might not be sufficient for many users' needs.
  • Occasional Connectivity Issues
    Some users report occasional issues with device connectivity, which can hinder data transfer processes.
  • No Wireless Transfer
    iExplorer requires a physical connection (USB) to the iOS device, which may be inconvenient for some users.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be resource-intensive, potentially slowing down other operations on the user's computer during usage.

Apple Configurator 2 videos

+ Add

Preparing a device with Apple Configurator 2

More videos:

  • Review - Cloning Multiple iPads - Apple Configurator 2
  • Review - Apple Configurator 2 To Get IPA Files From iPhone iPad IOS App Package - Mac - Developer - Hacker

iExplorer videos

+ Add

iExplorer App Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How To Install iExplorer To Manage Your iOS Devices as a Professional - Mac&Windows

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Apple Configurator 2 and iExplorer)

Apple Configurator 2

iExplorer

iPhone
25 25%
iPhone
75% 75
Device Management
25 25%
Device Management
75% 75
Data Management
26 26%
Data Management
74% 74
iPhone Transfer
100 100%
iPhone Transfer
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Apple Configurator 2 and iExplorer

Apple Configurator 2 Reviews

We have no reviews of Apple Configurator 2 yet.
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iExplorer Reviews

3 Best Free iMazing Alternatives With Similar Features! [TESTED in 2022]
With iExplorer, you can connect your device to Mac’s Finder or Windows Explorer, and you can use it as a USB drive. Drag and drop files onto the phone, move them to different folders, or permanently delete items.
Source: www.wizcase.com
The Best iPhone Transfer & Manager Software for 2022
If you are asking whether iExplorer does the job, the answer is yes. Once set up, iExplorer offers a decent set of features. However, the lack of advanced features is noticeable. Think of iExplorer as a version of iTunes that has a better UI and fewer bugs inside. iExplorer is available for Windows and macOS, and the basic license starts at $39.99.
Source: thesweetbits.com
Hands-on: Four Mac apps to transfer voicemail, other files from your iPhone
iExplorer is the first of the three software packages available for both Mac and Windows, and it's probably my favorite after PhoneView. iExplorer also allows you to choose between different devices connected to your computer, and it looks better than most of the other cross-platform options. Though, as you'll see, the bar is relatively low.
Source: arstechnica.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Apple Configurator 2 might be a bit more popular than iExplorer. We know about 14 links to it since March 2021 and only 13 links to iExplorer. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Apple Configurator 2 mentions (14)

  • How to Manage Apple Devices Without Apple Business Manager (2025 Guide)
    Yes. You can install profiles manually or use tools like Scalefusion, for macOS management even without ABM. Final Thoughts You don’t need Apple Business Manager to manage Apple devices, but you’ll sacrifice automation and full control. For small teams, startups, and developers, tools like Apple Configurator 2 and manual MDM enrollment are enough to get started. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • How to Remotely Access and Control iPads & iPhones: Guide
    Use Apple Configurator for advanced control—commonly used in schools or enterprise environments. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Downgrade and get Apollo working (w/out having a backup) (GUIDE)
    I'm thinking this may be possible with Apple Configurator:. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Force Touch Feedback not working
    You can take your Mac to Apple and have them doing a firmware restoration (Apple Configurator 2) on it for free to see if that fixes it. Or you can do this yourself if you have a second Mac to work with with Monterrey or Ventura. Source: over 2 years ago
  • iOS lets carriers add WiFi networks that you can’t stop from joining
    I don't see why not. Last time I checked, apple configurator is free to use: https://support.apple.com/apple-configurator. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

iExplorer mentions (13)

  • Any ideas on how to extract old photos from iPhone5?
    I've had success with this one in the past, there are others if you search: https://macroplant.com/iexplorer. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Transferring music off of an iPhone to another device?
    On Windows, there is a tool you can download called iExplorer by Macroplant. It's 40$ for a license, but the free demo let's you do up to 10 songs at a time. Hope this helps anyone! Source: over 2 years ago
  • Where is dungeon data stored in the Puzzle and Dragons app?
    If you are looking for iExplorer, https://macroplant.com/iexplorer. Source: over 2 years ago
  • [HELP] I used to have jailbreak, and I got the thing to prevent updates, now my phone is updated to 15.5 and I constantly get the error "Unable to check for system update"
    I honestly haven't done anything like that in a minute. You can try iMazing, that would be my first choice. If not, maybe iExplorer, iBackupBot, or iPhoneBackupExtractor. All of these will let you edit the backup, I just don't know which will let you browse the whole file system so you can clear out that specific folder. Hope this helps. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Need help capturing long text message conversation for printing
    IExplorer works really well for Iphone. It backs up the entire phone and allows you to explore the backup files individually and you can export full text message chain to PDF. It does cost a nominal fee, but I've found that it works well enough to be worth it. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Apple Configurator 2 and iExplorer, you can also consider the following products

iMazing - iMazing lets you transfer music, files, messages, apps and more from any iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer, Mac or PC. Manage and backup your iOS device simply without iTunes. (was DiskAid)

SharePod - Add and remove music, videos, playlists and artwork on your iPod.

i-FunBox - General file management software for iPhone and other Apple products

CopyTrans Manager - CopyTrans Manager: The free iTunes alternative to manage iPhone, iPad and iPod without iTunes. CopyTrans Manager allows you to quickly drag and drop music and videos from PC directly to your iPhone, iPod or iPad.

CopyTrans - CopyTrans is a tool for managing the files on your iPhone or iPad through your computer's interface.

WALTR - Drag-and-drop any media file to an iOS device (without iTunes) for native playback.

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