iTunes 12.2 Apple Music Beats Radio Explained

iTunes 12.2, released in June 2015, introduced Apple Music and integrated Beats 1, the live radio station, directly into the desktop app. This update replaced the old iTunes Radio feature with a new three-part Apple Music service: Beats 1 live radio, curated playlists, and on-demand streaming. This article explains what changed, how the new features worked, and how they evolved into the Apple Music app we use today.

Background: From iTunes Radio to Apple Music

Before 2015, iTunes had a free, ad-supported radio feature called iTunes Radio, which let users create custom stations based on songs or artists. When Apple acquired Beats Electronics in 2014, it gained both the Beats Music subscription service and the team behind it. Apple used that foundation to build Apple Music, which launched with iOS 8.4 and iTunes 12.2. The new service replaced iTunes Radio with three main components:

• Beats 1 – a 24/7 live radio station broadcast worldwide.
• Curated playlists – hand-picked music lists created by editors.
• On-demand streaming – access to millions of songs for a monthly subscription.

iTunes 12.2 was the first version of iTunes to include all three, and it also added a new “For You� tab that recommended music based on your listening habits.

How Beats 1 Worked in iTunes 12.2

Beats 1 was a live, always-on radio station hosted by DJs like Zane Lowe, Ebro Darden, and Julie Adenuga. It broadcast from Los Angeles, New York, and London, and played a mix of new music, interviews, and special segments. In iTunes 12.2, Beats 1 appeared as a dedicated section in the Apple Music tab. You could listen live, and if you missed a show, you could rewind up to two hours to hear it again. The station was free to listen to, even without an Apple Music subscription, but it was only available in countries where Apple Music launched.

Apple Music Subscription and Features

Apple Music launched as a subscription service, with a three-month free trial for new users. After the trial, users paid a monthly fee for individual or family plans. With a subscription, you could:

• Stream any song from the Apple Music catalog on demand.
• Download songs for offline listening.
• Create your own playlists and share them.
• Follow artists and see their posts and releases.
• Use the “For Youâ€� tab to get personalized recommendations.

iTunes 12.2 also introduced the “Connect� feature, where artists could post photos, videos, and messages directly to fans. Connect was later removed in 2018, but it was a key part of the original Apple Music experience.

What Happened to iTunes Radio?

With iTunes 12.2, the old iTunes Radio was removed from the desktop app. However, a version of iTunes Radio remained available on iOS and Apple TV for a while, but it was eventually discontinued in 2016. The custom radio stations that people had created in iTunes Radio were not migrated to Apple Music. Instead, Apple Music introduced its own radio feature, which allowed users to create stations from any song or artist, but it was part of the subscription service rather than free.

How to Use Beats Radio in iTunes 12.2

If you are using iTunes 12.2 on a Mac or PC, here is how you could access Beats 1 and Apple Music:

1. Open iTunes and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Click the “Apple Music� tab in the top navigation bar.
3. Select “Beats 1� from the left sidebar to listen live.
4. To use the full Apple Music features, start a free trial or subscribe.
5. Use the “For You� tab to get recommendations, and the “New� tab to find curated playlists.

Note that iTunes 12.2 was only available on OS X Yosemite or later, and Windows 7 or later. If you had an older system, you could not install it.

Common Problems and Fixes

Some users reported issues after updating to iTunes 12.2, such as:

• Apple Music not appearing – This usually meant the update did not install correctly. Restarting iTunes or reinstalling the update often fixed it.
• Beats 1 not playing – Check your internet connection, and make sure your country is supported. If you were in a supported country, signing out and back into your Apple ID sometimes helped.
• Library syncing issues – If your library did not sync across devices, make sure iCloud Music Library was enabled in Preferences > General.

If you experienced problems, Apple released subsequent updates (12.2.1, 12.2.2, etc.) that fixed many bugs, so updating to the latest version of iTunes was always recommended.

Comparison: Apple Music vs. Beats Music

Beats Music was the predecessor to Apple Music, and it had a unique feature called “The Sentence� that let you describe your mood to generate a playlist. Apple Music kept the curated playlists and added Beats 1, but it did not include The Sentence. Beats Music also had a simpler interface, while Apple Music was integrated into iTunes and iOS. For most users, Apple Music was a better value because it combined streaming, radio, and your existing iTunes library in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beats 1 still available in iTunes today?

No. In 2020, Apple renamed Beats 1 to “Apple Music 1,� and it is now available in the Apple Music app, not in iTunes. iTunes itself was discontinued in 2019 and replaced by separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps on macOS Catalina and later.

Do I need an Apple Music subscription to listen to Beats 1?

No, Beats 1 (now Apple Music 1) is free to listen to, even without a subscription. However, you need an Apple ID and a supported device. The on-demand streaming and playlist features require a subscription.

Can I still use iTunes 12.2 on Windows?

Yes, iTunes 12.2 works on Windows 7 and later, but it is no longer supported. Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 in 2020, and Apple has not updated iTunes for Windows since 2019. The Apple Music app for Windows is now available on the Microsoft Store, but it is a separate app.

What happened to my iTunes Radio stations?

They were not transferred to Apple Music. When iTunes Radio was discontinued, the stations you created were deleted. You can create new stations in Apple Music by selecting a song and choosing “Create Station,� but this requires a subscription.

Why did Apple remove iTunes Radio?

Apple replaced iTunes Radio with Apple Music because it wanted a single, unified music service. iTunes Radio was free but limited, while Apple Music offered a full streaming experience. The change also allowed Apple to integrate live radio (Beats 1) and curated content, which were more competitive with services like Spotify.

Can I still download iTunes 12.2?

Apple no longer offers iTunes 12.2 for download. If you have an older Mac or PC, you might find it on third-party sites, but installing old software is risky and not recommended. For security and compatibility, it is better to use the current Apple Music app or a supported version of iTunes.

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