iTunes still works, but Apple moved music playback to a separate app
If you open iTunes on a newer Mac or Windows computer and see a message that iTunes is no longer supported, or if you're looking for where your music library went, Apple moved music playback to the Music app. Your library didn't disappear — it moved with you automatically. On Mac, this happened around 2019 when iTunes split into Music, Podcasts, and TV. On Windows, the Music app is a separate download from the Microsoft Store.
The Music app works almost the same way as iTunes did for playing and organizing music. Your playlists, ratings, and purchase history are already there. The main difference is that iTunes on Windows now only handles device syncing and backups — it doesn't play music anymore. If you're still using an older version of iTunes, you can keep using it, but switching to Music gives you access to Apple Music streaming and keeps your setup current with what Apple supports.
Key Takeaways
- On Mac, the Music app replaced iTunes automatically; on Windows, you download it from the Microsoft Store and your library transfers over.
- Your existing music library, playlists, and purchase history move to the Music app without any action needed on your part.
- iTunes on Windows still exists but only for device syncing — music playback moved to the Music app.
- If you use an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, you'll still use iTunes (or Finder on Mac) to sync those devices, not the Music app.
How to open the Music app on Mac
On a Mac running macOS Catalina or newer, the Music app is already installed. Open Launchpad (the grid icon in your dock) and search for "Music," or click the Finder icon in your dock, go to Applications, and double-click Music. Your library loads automatically the first time you open it — this can take a minute or two if you have thousands of songs.
If you want Music to open when you plug in a device, go to Music menu at the top, click Preferences, select the Devices tab, and check "Open Music when this iPod is connected." This replaces the old iTunes behavior. You can also add the Music app to your dock by right-clicking it and selecting "Keep in Dock" so it's easier to find next time.
How to download and open the Music app on Windows
On Windows 10 or 11, open the Microsoft Store (search for it in your Start menu). In the search box at the top, type "Music" and look for the app with the musical note icon published by Microsoft. Click Get, then Install. The download takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed.
Once installed, the Music app appears in your Start menu. Click it to open. The first time you launch it, you'll see a screen asking if you want to import your iTunes library. Click "Yes" or "Import Library" — this brings all your songs, playlists, and ratings into the Music app. If you skip this step, you can import later by going to Settings (the gear icon) and looking for an Import option.
Where your music library goes and how to find it
Your music files stay in the same place on your hard drive — usually a folder called Music or iTunes Media. The Music app just reads from that location instead of iTunes doing it. You don't have to move anything or copy files around. If you added music manually to iTunes by dragging files in, those songs appear in Music the same way.
When you open Music for the first time, it scans your library folder and displays everything. If a song doesn't show up, it's usually because the file format isn't supported (Music plays MP3, AAC, FLAC, Dolby Digital, and a few others, but not WMA or some older formats). You can check what's in your library by clicking the Library tab at the top of the Music app.
Syncing devices with Music instead of iTunes
On Mac, you don't use the Music app to sync iPhones or iPads anymore — you use Finder instead. Plug in your device, open Finder, click your device name in the sidebar, and you'll see sync options. This is the same as what iTunes used to do, just moved to a different place.
On Windows, iTunes still handles syncing. You don't use the Music app for this. Plug in your device, open iTunes (the old version), and sync as you always did. Microsoft is working on bringing device syncing to the Music app on Windows, but for now, iTunes is still the tool for that job. If you have an older device like an iPod, iTunes on Windows is still the way to sync it.
Transferring playlists and ratings to Music
If you created playlists in iTunes, they move to Music automatically when you import your library. The same goes for star ratings you gave songs. You don't have to recreate anything. If you had smart playlists (playlists that update automatically based on rules you set), those transfer too, though you may need to check that the rules still work the way you expect in the new app.
If the import didn't catch everything, you can manually add songs to new playlists in Music by right-clicking a song and selecting "Add to Playlist." You can also create a new playlist first by clicking the plus icon, naming it, and then dragging songs into it. The process is similar to what you did in iTunes.
What to do if Music won't open or your library doesn't show up
If the Music app crashes when you open it, try closing it completely and opening it again. On Mac, you can force-quit by pressing Command+Option+Esc, clicking Music, and clicking Force Quit. On Windows, right-click the Music app in your taskbar and close it, then reopen it.
If your library is missing, check that you completed the import step. On Windows, go to Settings in the Music app and look for an Import or Library option. On Mac, go to Music menu and click Preferences, then check the Files tab to make sure your music folder is listed. If it's not there, click the plus icon and navigate to your Music folder. If you're still stuck, restart your computer — this fixes most library-loading issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use iTunes after switching to Music?
On Mac, iTunes no longer exists in newer versions — it was replaced by Music, Podcasts, and TV. On Windows, iTunes still exists but only for device syncing. You can keep using the old iTunes if you have an older version installed, but Apple no longer updates it, and it won't play music on newer Windows versions.
Will I lose my playlists or ratings if I switch to Music?
No. Your playlists and star ratings transfer automatically when you import your iTunes library into Music. You don't have to do anything — they're already there when you open the app for the first time.
What if I have music files iTunes couldn't play?
Music supports most common formats like MP3 and AAC, but not all. If a file didn't play in iTunes, it probably won't play in Music either. You can convert unsupported files using free tools like VLC or Audacity, or check the file's format and look for a converter online.
Do I need to use Music if I only listen to Apple Music?
Yes. Apple Music streams through the Music app on both Mac and Windows. You can't stream Apple Music through iTunes anymore. The Music app is where you search for songs, create playlists, and listen to your subscription.
How do I sync my iPhone if I'm on Windows?
Use iTunes, not the Music app. Plug in your iPhone, open iTunes, and sync as you normally would. On Mac, use Finder instead — plug in your device, click it in the sidebar, and select what to sync.