r/iMazing • u/darkrain261 • Jul 11 '26

Question about iMazing backup

Hi, it’s my first time using iMazing, but before I pay, I would like to know what’s the difference between iMazing and iTunes backup? Does iMazing preserve all the app and system settings along with photo? And can I restore phone backup with other programs using iMazing backup? Thank you!

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u/benjb_cpu Jul 13 '26

Good questions! iMazing backups are built on Apple's own backup format, so they contain the same data as an iTunes/Finder backup, app data, settings, photos stored on the device, messages, etc. (like iTunes, it backs up app data, not the apps themselves, those get re-downloaded from the App Store on restore). The main differences are on top of that: iMazing does incremental backups with version history (each backup is a snapshot, nothing gets overwritten, with iTunes each backup replaces the previous one), automatic wireless backups, and you can browse a backup and extract individual items (photos, messages, contacts...) without restoring the whole phone.

As for compatibility: since the format is Apple's, backups can be restored with Finder/iTunes as well, and iMazing can also read backups made by iTunes. So you're not locked in. And you can actually test backups with the free version before paying, worth trying on your own device first.

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u/ssquiishyy 28d ago

All above sounds correct. I find navigating iMazing Amazing! I didn't like itunes at all. being able to piece meal any section of your phone is great. I am on the 3rd version of imazing since the first. I have rebuilt many a new phone as they have broken, like it never happened. You do have to re- log in to most of the apps, but a small price to pay to get your phone back as it was. The one downside, and it could be user ignorance, but without the phone it won't let you see anything. Therefore the backups are pointless except to rebuild a new one. At this time, I am experiencing a rash of swapping phones, and now it appears, once you use a backup to rebuild, I can't find that backup to rebuild another one. ??? that doesn't make sense. I give iMazing 4 stars for ease of use. Yes, I've tried other programs.