{"id":6552,"date":"2009-03-12T23:39:22","date_gmt":"2009-03-12T18:09:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=6552"},"modified":"2026-10-06T15:59:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T10:29:44","slug":"download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones\/","title":{"rendered":"Download iTunes in 2026: Where to Get It and the Apple Apps That Replaced It"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In 2009 we covered how to download iTunes 8.1 free for your iPod and iPhone. Fast forward to 2026, and iTunes has mostly been retired: Apple replaced it with separate apps for music, TV and device syncing on both Mac and Windows. Here&#8217;s where to <strong>download iTunes<\/strong> today if you still need it, and which newer Apple apps to use instead.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-63255\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-itunes-2026.webp\" alt=\"Download iTunes in 2026 and the apps that replaced it\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-itunes-2026.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-itunes-2026-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-itunes-2026-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-itunes-2026-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-itunes-2026-768x403.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> On <strong>Windows 10 and 11<\/strong>, get the free <strong>Apple Music<\/strong>, <strong>Apple TV<\/strong> and <strong>Apple Devices<\/strong> apps from the Microsoft Store. iTunes is still available there too, mainly for podcasts and audiobooks. On a <strong>Mac<\/strong>, there&#8217;s no iTunes anymore: use the Music, TV and Podcasts apps, and sync your iPhone in Finder.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ac71265df340\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ac71265df340\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones\/#What_happened_to_iTunes\" >What happened to iTunes?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones\/#How_to_download_iTunes_on_Windows\" >How to download iTunes on Windows<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones\/#The_newer_Apple_apps_for_Windows\" >The newer Apple apps for Windows<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones\/#iTunes_on_Mac\" >iTunes on Mac<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones\/#How_to_back_up_an_iPhone_without_iTunes\" >How to back up an iPhone without iTunes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones\/#Is_iTunes_still_free\" >Is iTunes still free?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones\/#Can_I_still_buy_songs_on_iTunes\" >Can I still buy songs on iTunes?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/03\/download-itunes-free-for-apple-ipod-iphones\/#Does_iTunes_work_on_Windows_7\" >Does iTunes work on Windows 7?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happened_to_iTunes\"><\/span>What happened to iTunes?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>2019, Mac:<\/strong> with macOS Catalina, Apple split iTunes into the Music, TV and Podcasts apps, and moved iPhone and iPad syncing into Finder.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2024, Windows:<\/strong> Apple released Apple Music, Apple TV and Apple Devices apps for Windows, replacing most of what iTunes did on PC.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Today:<\/strong> iTunes for Windows is still downloadable, but Apple points users to the new apps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_download_iTunes_on_Windows\"><\/span>How to download iTunes on Windows<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Open the <strong>Microsoft Store<\/strong> on Windows 10 or 11, or go to Apple&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/itunes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iTunes page<\/a>, which links to the Store.<\/li>\n<li>Search for <strong>iTunes<\/strong> and click <strong>Get<\/strong> or <strong>Install<\/strong>. It&#8217;s free.<\/li>\n<li>Open iTunes and sign in with your Apple Account.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Always download it from Apple or the Microsoft Store. &#8220;iTunes download&#8221; pages on other websites may bundle adware.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_newer_Apple_apps_for_Windows\"><\/span>The newer Apple apps for Windows<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>App<\/th>\n<th>What it does<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Apple Music<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Plays your music library and Apple Music subscription, and buys songs from the iTunes Store.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Apple TV<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Watch Apple TV+ shows and movies you&#8217;ve bought or rented.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Apple Devices<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Back up, restore, update and sync your iPhone, iPad or iPod.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>All three are free in the Microsoft Store. Once you install them, iTunes on the same PC can only be used for <strong>podcasts and audiobooks<\/strong>, so keep iTunes only if you need those.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"iTunes_on_Mac\"><\/span>iTunes on Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Modern macOS doesn&#8217;t include iTunes and you can&#8217;t install it. Use these built-in apps instead:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Music<\/strong>: your music library, purchases and the iTunes Store.<\/li>\n<li><strong>TV<\/strong>: movies and TV shows.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Podcasts<\/strong> and <strong>Books<\/strong>: podcasts and audiobooks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Finder<\/strong>: connect your iPhone or iPad and click it in the sidebar to back up, sync or update.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_back_up_an_iPhone_without_iTunes\"><\/span>How to back up an iPhone without iTunes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>On Windows:<\/strong> open the Apple Devices app, connect your iPhone with a cable, tap Trust on the phone, then click <strong>Back Up Now<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>On Mac:<\/strong> open Finder, select your iPhone in the sidebar, then click <strong>Back Up Now<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wirelessly:<\/strong> turn on iCloud Backup in your iPhone&#8217;s Settings \u2192 [your name] \u2192 iCloud.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Looking for music to stream? See our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/09\/listen-free-hindi-music-bollywood-songs-online\/\">free Hindi music streaming apps<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span>Frequently asked questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_iTunes_still_free\"><\/span>Is iTunes still free?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. iTunes and the new Apple Music, Apple TV and Apple Devices apps are free to download. You only pay for subscriptions or content you buy.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_still_buy_songs_on_iTunes\"><\/span>Can I still buy songs on iTunes?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. The iTunes Store lives on inside the Music app on Mac, the Apple Music app on Windows, and the iTunes Store app on iPhone.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_iTunes_work_on_Windows_7\"><\/span>Does iTunes work on Windows 7?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Current iTunes and the new Apple apps need Windows 10 or later. Older Windows versions are no longer supported and aren&#8217;t safe to use online.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In 2009 we covered how to download iTunes 8.1 free for your iPod and iPhone. Fast forward to 2026, and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":63255,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16,48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-apple","category-downloads"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6552","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6552"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6552\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63256,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6552\/revisions\/63256"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}