iTunes Going Away? Here’s What Replaces It

iTunes is not disappearing entirely, but Apple has split it into three dedicated apps—Music, TV, and Podcasts—on Mac, with Windows users getting a similar transition. If you are wondering what happens to your library, syncing, and backups, here is exactly what replaces iTunes and how to adapt.

Why Apple Broke Up iTunes

iTunes started in 2001 as a music player and store, but over two decades it accumulated features: music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, audiobooks, device syncing, and app management. By 2019, Apple decided the software had become bloated and confusing. With macOS Catalina (released October 2019), Apple removed iTunes entirely from the Mac and replaced it with three separate apps, each focused on one media type. The change aimed to make each task simpler and to align with the company’s services strategy—Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Podcasts.

On Windows, iTunes still exists because Apple does not control the operating system. However, in 2023, Apple released new Windows apps for Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices (for syncing), signaling the same split will eventually happen there too. For now, Windows users can choose to keep using iTunes or switch to the new apps.

What Replaces Each iTunes Feature

Here is a feature-by-feature breakdown:

• Music library and store: The Apple Music app (on Mac and Windows) handles your music library, iTunes Store purchases, and Apple Music streaming. It also manages playlists, smart playlists, and lyrics.
• Movies and TV shows: The Apple TV app is where you watch and buy movies and TV shows, including 4K HDR content. It also houses your iTunes movie purchases and any TV+ subscriptions.
• Podcasts: The Apple Podcasts app manages subscriptions, episodes, and downloads. It replaced the podcast section inside iTunes.
• Device syncing and backups: On Mac, syncing an iPhone, iPad, or iPod is done through the Finder sidebar. On Windows, the new Apple Devices app (in beta) handles this, but iTunes still works for now.
• Audiobooks: Audiobooks moved to the Apple Books app, which also handles e-books.

If you used iTunes to manage ringtones or manually drag files to your device, those actions now happen in the Finder (Mac) or Apple Devices (Windows).

What Happens to Your iTunes Library

Your iTunes library is not lost. When you upgrade to macOS Catalina or later, the migration process automatically converts your iTunes library into the new apps. Your music files, playlists, ratings, and play counts move to the Apple Music app. Movies and TV shows appear in Apple TV, and podcasts in Apple Podcasts. The original files remain in your Music folder, usually under ~/Music/Music/Media.

If you have an older library with unusual file types or a custom folder structure, the migration is generally smooth, but it is wise to back up your entire Music folder before upgrading. On Windows, if you install the new Apple Music and Apple TV apps, they can import your existing iTunes library automatically. If you prefer, you can keep using iTunes indefinitely—Apple has not announced a shutdown date for it on Windows.

How to Sync Your iPhone Without iTunes

Syncing is the most common reason people still open iTunes. Here is how to do it now:

1. On Mac (macOS Catalina or later): Connect your iPhone or iPad with a USB cable. Open Finder. Your device appears under “Locations� in the sidebar. Click it, then choose options like Music, Movies, or Files to sync. You can also back up your device to your Mac or iCloud from the General tab.
2. On Windows with Apple Devices app: Download the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store (currently in beta). Connect your device, and the app will let you sync media, update software, and back up. If the app is not available or you prefer a stable experience, use iTunes.
3. On Windows with iTunes: Open iTunes, connect your device, click the device icon near the top left, and use the sidebar to manage sync settings. This still works and is the official method until Apple Devices leaves beta.

If you relied on iTunes to install iOS updates, that also moved to Finder or Apple Devices. You can still update wirelessly on the device itself under Settings > General > Software Update.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Users often hit these issues after the switch:

• “Cannot find my device in Finder.â€� Make sure your Mac is updated and the device is unlocked. If it still does not appear, go to Finder > Preferences > Sidebar and check “CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices.â€� On Windows, ensure you have the latest iTunes or Apple Devices version.
• Playlists missing after migration. Check the Apple Music app under “Playlists.â€� If they are gone, restore from a backup of your Music folder. Also ensure you are signed in with the same Apple ID.
• Podcasts not showing in the Podcasts app. If you had downloaded episodes in iTunes, they may not transfer. You can re-download them from the Podcasts app by tapping the cloud icon.
• Movies purchased in iTunes not in Apple TV. Sign out and back into the Apple TV app. If they still do not appear, check your purchase history in the App Store.
• Windows users cannot find Apple TV app. The new apps are available on Windows 10 and 11 from the Microsoft Store, but they are region-dependent. If unavailable, stick with iTunes.

iTunes on Windows: Still Here, but Changing

As of 2024, iTunes remains fully functional on Windows. Apple has not set a removal date, but it has stopped adding new features. The company is gradually pushing Windows users toward the new apps: Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices. These apps are still in beta, and some features—like smart playlists or manual track ordering—are not yet fully implemented. For most users, iTunes is still the safest choice on Windows for managing a large library or syncing an older iPod.

If you install the new apps, iTunes will not automatically uninstall. You can run both, but be careful: if you make changes in one, the other may not reflect them immediately. It is best to choose one and stick with it for consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my iTunes gift card balance transfer? Yes. Your Apple ID balance is shared across all Apple services. You can use it to buy music in the Apple Music app, movies in Apple TV, or apps in the App Store.

Can I still download iTunes on a Mac? No. Since macOS Catalina, iTunes is not available for Mac. You cannot download it from Apple’s website for newer macOS versions. The functionality is fully replaced by the Music, TV, and Podcasts apps.

What about my iTunes backups of my iPhone? Your device backups are stored separately from the iTunes app itself. On Mac, they are in ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup. On Windows, they are in %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup. You can restore from these backups using Finder or Apple Devices.

Is there a way to get the old iTunes interface back? No, not on Mac. On Windows, you can keep using iTunes, but it will not receive new features. Some third-party tools claim to replicate the old interface, but they are not official and may not be safe.

Do I need to pay for Apple Music to use the Music app? No. The Music app is free to use for your local library and to purchase songs from the iTunes Store. Only the streaming service requires a subscription.

How do I transfer my iTunes library to a new computer? Copy the entire Music folder (or iTunes folder on Windows) to an external drive, then import it into the new computer’s Music app. On Windows, you can also use the “Transfer Purchases� feature in iTunes to download past purchases to the new machine.

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