Apple says farewell to iTunes on Windows, officially rolls out three apps for users

After years of being a one-stop shop for managing Apple devices and content on Windows, iTunes is finally saying goodbye. In a move mirroring the macOS experience, Apple has replaced iTunes with three separate applications for Windows: Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices. Apple had announced in 2022 that the apps will be available on Windows Store and they had been in preview, the public rollout has now started

After a period of beta testing, these apps, along with the newly introduced Apple Devices app, have now shed their "Preview" labels and are officially ready for primetime.

What do the apps bring for Windows users?Apple Music now allows for browsing, purchasing, and managing music libraries, all within a familiar interface. Offline listening, personalized recommendations, and integration with Apple Music radio remain accessible. Similarly, the Apple TV app brings the streaming service directly to Windows, offering access to Apple Originals, exclusive content, and a vast library of movies and shows. Users can subscribe, purchase content, and continue watching seamlessly across devices.

The all-new Apple Devices app takes over the device management responsibilities previously handled by iTunes. Users can connect iPhones, iPads, and iPods to their Windows PC to back up data, perform software updates, and restore devices. Additionally, it allows for syncing specific content types like photos and music.

Furthermore, the move away from iTunes allows for faster updates and bug fixes for individual apps, reduces overall app size, and potentially improves performance. Additionally, it aligns with how Apple manages its software on macOS, creating a more consistent user experience across platforms.

Apple has also listed out some important things to keep in mind for Windows users. Here are some of them:

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• li3You need Windows 10 or later.
• li3You need to download all three apps: Apple Music app, Apple TV app, and Apple Devices app. If you download only one of these apps, iTunes will prompt you to download the other two apps to access your music and video content from your iTunes library.
• li3After you download these apps, you can use iTunes to access only your podcasts and audiobooks.
• li3The Apple Music app and Apple TV app read the contents of your iTunes library — so don't delete your iTunes library.