Fix:
If you upgrade to or install Big Sur 11.7, you will find these three apps in your Applications folder and Dock instead of iTunes:
While change is hard, the "iTunes-less" Big Sur 11.7 is vastly superior:
The Evolution of iTunes on macOS Big Sur 11.7
When Apple announced macOS Big Sur in 2020, it marked a significant shift in the company's approach to its desktop operating system. With a sleek new design and improved performance, Big Sur was a breath of fresh air for Mac users. However, for those who had grown accustomed to using iTunes as their go-to music and media management tool, the update to Big Sur 11.7 brought some unexpected changes.
The iTunes Legacy
For over a decade, iTunes had been the central hub for managing music, movies, and TV shows on Macs. It was first introduced in 2001 as a simple music player and evolved over the years to include features like music syncing, podcast management, and even mobile device management. By the time macOS Mojave rolled around, iTunes had become a bloated application with a cluttered interface, but it still remained a popular choice for many users. itunes macos big sur 117
The Shift to Separate Apps
With the introduction of macOS Catalina in 2019, Apple began to phase out iTunes in favor of separate apps for music, TV, and podcasts. This move was met with mixed reactions from users, some of whom appreciated the streamlined approach, while others lamented the loss of a single, unified interface.
iTunes on Big Sur 11.7: A Blast from the Past
Fast-forward to macOS Big Sur 11.7, and we find that iTunes is still available, albeit in a somewhat limited capacity. For users who upgraded from an earlier version of macOS, iTunes might still be present on their system, complete with its familiar interface and functionality.
However, for new users or those who have performed a clean installation of Big Sur 11.7, iTunes is no longer a pre-installed app. Instead, they will find the separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps, which offer a more focused experience for each type of media.
Key Features and Limitations
If you're still using iTunes on Big Sur 11.7, here are some key features and limitations to keep in mind:
The Future of Music Management on macOS
As Apple continues to evolve its media management strategy, it's clear that the separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps are the way forward. While iTunes on Big Sur 11.7 may still be functional, it's likely that future updates will focus on enhancing the separate apps rather than maintaining a legacy app like iTunes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, iTunes on macOS Big Sur 11.7 represents a nostalgic throwback to a bygone era of music management on Macs. While it may still be functional for some users, it's clear that Apple's focus has shifted towards a more streamlined, app-based approach to media management. As the company continues to innovate and improve its ecosystem, it will be interesting to see how users adapt to the changing landscape of music and media management on macOS.
Official support for iTunes ended with the release of macOS Catalina (10.15), meaning iTunes is not natively compatible with macOS Big Sur 11.7. On Big Sur, the functionality previously found in iTunes has been split into several dedicated applications: Fix: If you upgrade to or install Big Sur 11
Music: Manages your local music library, playlists, and provides access to the iTunes Store and Apple Music streaming.
TV: Replaces the movie and TV show management portion of iTunes.
Podcasts: Dedicated to browsing and listening to podcast episodes.
Finder: Used for syncing, backing up, or restoring your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Using Your Old iTunes Library
If you are moving from an older version of macOS to Big Sur 11.7, your existing iTunes media will automatically transition to these new apps. To switch between or find specific libraries: Quit the Music app. Hold the Option key while reopening Music.
Click Choose Library to select your old iTunes library file. Workarounds for Installing iTunes How to Install iTunes on macOS The Evolution of iTunes on macOS Big Sur 11
This happens if you try to downgrade from Music back to iTunes. Fix: You cannot. You must restore a Time Machine backup from before you upgraded to Big Sur.