“Is there any iTunes Backup Extractor support accessing and recovering data from an encrypted iTunes (iPhone) backup for free with the decryption password? By the way, I own a Mac.”
“Does anyone know of a decent iPhone backup extractor to recover app data from iTunes backup file (iOS 11) on Windows?”
“How Can I extract files (especially multiple photos, contacts and notes) from iTunes backup (older iTunes version)? Does the iTunes extracting software truly work?”
iTunes Backup Extractor is created to extract data from unencrypted/encrypted iTunes backup files, such as messages, voice memos, WhatsApp messages and more. Which iTunes Backup Extractor should you choose? General speaking, these are the necessary features you need to consider when you are to perform an iTunes backup recovery.
Is it a paid or free iTunes backup extractor?
How far can the free trial version of the iOS backup extractor go?
What files can I extract using iTunes extracting software?
Can I read and export data from an encrypted iTunes backup?
To be frank, there is no completely free iTunes backup extractor on the market. when using it, you’ll find out that the free trial version has many restrictions. It can be taken as only the functional test of its paid version.
Besides, the trial version of iTunes backup recovery tool can be called as iTunes backup viewer/reader, because it generously lets you to read iTunes backup content and preview the items for free. But when it comes to extracting photos from iPhone backup and saving them to computer, it needs to buy the pro version. However, the function and price of each software are also slightly different. Please read the brief introduction in the following part.
Compared with Part 2 and Part 3 tools, FoneCope iTunes Backup Extractor is the most comprehensive, cost-effective one, since its interface is simple while its feature is powerful.
Followed by iBackup Viewer, because it supports fewer data types than the former, and it does not perform as great as FoneCope.
Third, iBackup Extractor can detect only default data, which does not include other files such as iOS App chat data. What’s worse, it cannot be used to extract data from iCloud backups.
Fourth, if you just need to extract media files (photos, videos, music) from iTunes and restore it to your device, both iPhone and Android, FoneCope Phone Manager will be a better choice.
Need to view the data in your iTunes backup and export the file to your computer? Or when restoring, iTunes stuck on Extracting software? Then FoneCope iPhone Data Recovery is your best option. It not only allows you to preview data stored in iTunes backup by category but also to selectively extract contents from iTunes and save them to your computer.
With it, you can selectively extract Message, Contact, WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber, Kik, Line, Photo, Video, Note, Voice Memo, Calendar & Reminder, Safari History, and more from your iTunes backup file.
How about if your iTunes backup is encrypted with a password? Don’t worry! This software can extract data as long as you have the backup unlocked password. And it supports almost all iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
Pros:
Supports up to 18 kinds of data types
Can extract data from encrypted/unencrypted iTunes backup
Can restore files from iCloud backup files
Able to recover deleted data without backup directly from iPhone device
Cons:
Free to view iTunes backup content, but need to pay if you need to extract files to the computer.
Step 1. Select the appropriate data recovery mode
After the download completes, please install and run the iTunes Backup Extractor on your PC or Mac, and then select "Recover from iTunes Backup" mode on the left since what you need is to selectively export files from iTunes. Then, click the "Start" button to proceed to the next step.
Step 2. Select file type before scanning your iTunes backup
This iPhone backup extractor tool supports multiple data types. You can quickly browse and pick the type of file you want to recover, then click "Next".
Step 3. Browse and select one of your iTunes backup packages
FoneCope iTunes backup recovery software will automatically detect the iTunes backup on your computer. This tool will list the Backup Name, Model, Backup Date, and Device Serial Number so that you can know which one has the items you want to restore, based on this information. If your iTunes backup files are not detected, you can manually select another folder and find your iTunes backup.
Step 4. Preview and select specific data to restore from iTunes
After reading the contents of the iTunes backup, you can now click and see the details. You can select and extract the data, and then save it to your computer so that this will not occupy the memory of your iPhone.
This tool was developed by iMacTools and can help you get 11 kinds of default files from iTunes backup. Although it claims to be free, compared to the paid version, its free version has many functional limitations. For example, saving one messages thread to text file is OK, but it is not possible to save all messages to text file etc. In other words, the free version is just a trial of functionality.
Pros:
Export data and content from iTunes and iCloud backup
Compared to other software of the same type, its free version has the least restrictions on extracting content from iTunes
Cons:
Claim free but charge
The paid Pro version supports only 11 data types
Fail to detect and extract all content from iTunes backup
Step 1. Firstly you need to download and install iBackup Viewer to your PC or Mac
Step 2. After the installation succeeds, this iTunes backup extraction software will automatically scan and check the iTunes files on your computer. If you know where your iTunes backup locates, you can click Preference to find your iTunes backup folder.
Step 3. Select data type that you need to extract, and then recover the files to your computer by category.
Every time you sync your iOS device, iTunes will create a backup file on your computer to store your data. This iTunes Backup Data Extraction can extract 9 basic data file types (backup of iPhone, iPad, and iPod), but does not support exporting App data from the iPhone backup. It can only recognize and export Calendars, Call Logs, Contacts, Internet, Messages, Notes, Photos, Reminders, and Voicemail.
Pros:
The free trial lets you export 50 items from iTunes backup
Cons:
It does not completely export all the files in iTunes. Only 9 file types are supported.
Although named iBackup Extractor, it can only extract data from iTunes backup packages, and cannot get the contents from iCloud backup.
Step 1. Download and install iBackup Extractor on your computer. This tool will automatically detect the iTunes backup files on your device for you to choose.
Step 2. After selecting the iTunes backup from which you want to extract content, this software will ask you to select the file type from its supporting list.
Step 3. After previewing the specific data, go to the top menu bar and select the export method. Take extracting contacts from iTunes as an example. You can choose Copy as vCard, Copy to Outlook, or Copy to Contacts.
The FoneCope Phone Manager is developed for iPhone and Android users to manage mobile device data, making it easy to transfer files between iOS, Android, and computer. Moreover, it has a very effective feature, which is to export iTunes media to iPhone and Android, and vice versa.
Pros:
Can directly export iTunes data to mobile phones (IOS and Android)
Able to skip existing files on your phone. NO Duplicate files
Comprehensive in managing smartphone data
Cons:
Only media types can be extracted iTunes backup.
Step 1. Use a USB cable to connect iPhone or Android to your computer
After downloading and installing the program, click “Transfer” in the main window. Then this tool will remind you to connect your device to your PC or Mac.
Step 2. Select the mode to manage iTunes data
When connected, select "Transfer iTunes Media to Device" option on the right side.
Step 3. Scan and copy iTunes media content to device
In the list, you can see different types of files and their corresponding file sizes. Please consider the size of your phone's memory space, and optionally transfer the data to the device from iTunes backup.
After reading this position, I believe you have understood the advantages and shortcomings of these iTune Backup Extractors, including FoneCope iTunes Data Recovery, iMacTools iBackup Viewer, Wide Angle iBackup Extractor, and Phone Manager. Now you can choose the one that is right for you and extract the data you need from your iTunes backup file.
Last Updated: December 29, 2018
Author: Daniel Lee /
Editor of FoneCope, does great in fixing Android and Apple device related problems, writing technical tips step by step.