AnyTrans is a desktop program from iMobie for Windows and Mac that manages the content of an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch from a computer. It copies media and personal data between the device, the computer and iTunes, and makes and restores device backups. It also moves data from an old phone (iPhone or Android) to a new iPhone and works with iCloud content. AnyTrans is paid software with a free trial. The trial transfers a limited number of items and leaves out several features, while a few tools stay usable without activation.
Browsing and copying device content
After you connect an iOS device by USB, AnyTrans loads its contents into categories in a left-side menu: Photos, Audio, Videos, Personal Data, File System and others. Each category opens as a list where you can preview and select items, send them to a computer or add them from one. A separate content-to-computer action copies whole categories at once into a chosen export folder.
AnyTrans groups photos the way iOS sorts them, and you can remove unwanted pictures in batches. Music and playlists move between the device, the computer and iTunes without wiping songs already on the iPhone. This also makes it possible to pull music off an old iPod.
Messages and personal data
The messages view lists SMS, MMS and iMessage conversations with their attachments. You can export selected threads as PDF, which keeps the chat layout, or as TXT or HTML for searching on a computer. The same export works on conversations stored in an existing iTunes or iCloud backup, without restoring the device.
Backups and selective restore
The Backup Manager in AnyTrans creates either a full backup or an incremental one. After the first run, an incremental backup saves only data that has been added or changed. You can schedule backups and run them over Wi-Fi. AnyTrans stores them on the computer’s own disk.
Instead of only restoring everything, AnyTrans opens a backup made by itself or by iTunes and shows its photos, messages, contacts and other items. You can extract individual items to the computer or add them to an iPhone without erasing what is already on it. A full restore is also available. Backup history keeps earlier backups so data deleted since then can be recovered from them.
Phone Switcher for a new iPhone
Phone Switcher moves data to a new iPhone without a factory reset and without overwriting existing content. From an older iPhone, it offers a full migration of everything or a selective one. It can also move installed apps so you do not have to download them again. You can mix sources, for example photos from iCloud, contacts from the old phone and messages from an iTunes backup.
For an Android phone, you connect both devices to the computer and choose the data types after a preview. AnyTrans converts music, videos and ringtones into formats iOS can play.
WhatsApp, LINE and Viber chats
A separate Social Messages Manager handles chat history from WhatsApp, LINE and Viber. It transfers conversations and their photos, videos and files to a new iPhone, including WhatsApp chats coming from an Android phone. It also backs up these chats to the computer, restores a backup to an iPhone, and restores WhatsApp backups kept on Google Drive.
iCloud and iTunes management
After signing in with an Apple ID, the iCloud Manager lets AnyTrans download iCloud photos in bulk, delete photos to free space, and move files between the computer and iCloud Drive by dragging them. You can also manage contacts, calendar events, notes and reminders stored in iCloud. Multi-iCloud Sync moves data between different iCloud accounts.
On the iTunes side, AnyTrans sends music and videos to an iPhone from more than one iTunes library or computer. iTunes sync does not allow this. AnyTrans also exports device music and videos back into the iTunes library.
Apps and home screen layout
An App Downloader searches for iOS apps from the desktop, saves each download on the computer and installs it on a connected iPhone or iPad. Saved copies allow an app to be reinstalled or rolled back. You can rearrange home screen icons by dragging and save a layout to restore later.
Ringtones, images and screen mirroring
The Ringtone Maker in AnyTrans takes a song from the computer, the device, the iTunes library or an online video soundtrack. The chosen clip goes to a tones library on the computer or straight onto the iPhone.
The Image Converter, under Utilities, batch-converts HEIC and JXL photos to JPG, JPEG or PNG into a chosen folder. Screen Mirroring shows the iPhone screen on the computer wirelessly, where you can record it or capture it as screenshots.
Trial and activated editions
Without activation, AnyTrans allows 30 items to be transferred within three days across categories such as photos, music, messages, contacts and chat apps. Phone Switcher, restoring backups, Multi-iCloud Sync and restoring or moving WhatsApp, LINE and Viber chats to an iPhone require activation. Backups, the App Downloader, the Ringtone Maker, Screen Mirroring and the iCloud content manager work in both editions.
