iTunes is now the Music app on Mac, and Windows users can switch to it too

If you still have iTunes open on your computer, Apple replaced it with the Music app starting in macOS Catalina (2019). On Mac, you cannot keep iTunes — the app straightforward does not exist anymore in current operating systems. On Windows, iTunes still works, but the Music app is the newer option that syncs better with Apple devices and handles your library the same way.

The switch is straightforward because your music library moves with you. Everything you bought, added, or organized in iTunes transfers automatically to Music. You do not need to read your songs again or rebuild playlists. The Music app reads the same library file iTunes used, so you pick up exactly where you left off.

Key Takeaways

  • Mac users running Catalina or newer have the Music app instead of iTunes — there is no choice to make, only a location change.
  • Windows users can read the Music app from the Microsoft Store and it will recognize your existing iTunes library without any manual transfer.
  • Your playlists, ratings, and play counts stay intact when you move to Music because both apps use the same library file.
  • If you use an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, the Music app syncs more reliably than iTunes did on Windows.

How to find Music on Mac

On Mac, open Finder and go to Applications. Look for an app called Music — it has a note icon. Click it to open. That is the app that replaced iTunes. If you have been using iTunes for years, the Music app will look different at first, but the menu structure and your library are in the same place.

Your music library is already there. Music reads the iTunes library file automatically, so you do not have to import anything. All your songs, playlists, and smart playlists appear in the sidebar on the left. If you want to confirm your library moved over, go to Music menu > Preferences > Files and you will see the path to your library — it still says iTunes Media or iTunes Music depending on your macOS version.

How to read and set up Music on Windows

On Windows, open the Microsoft Store app (it comes with Windows 10 and 11). Search for "Apple Music" in the search bar at the top. You will see the Music app listed — it has a note icon, the same one as Mac. Click Get, then Install. The read takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

When you open Music for the first time, it asks if you want to use your existing iTunes library. Click Yes. The app scans your computer for the iTunes Media folder (usually in your user folder under Music) and loads everything in. Your playlists and play history come with it. If the app does not find your library automatically, go to File > Import and point it to your iTunes Media folder by hand.

What happens to your iTunes library when you switch

Nothing is deleted or lost. The Music app and iTunes both point to the same library files on your hard drive. When you add a song in Music, iTunes would see it too if you still had iTunes open (though you should not run both at the same time). When you delete a song from Music, it removes it from the shared library, so it would be gone from iTunes as well.

Your play counts, ratings, and skip history are stored in the library file itself, not in the app. Music reads all of that information the moment you open it. Playlists you made in iTunes, including smart playlists that update automatically, work exactly the same way in Music. If you synced an iPhone or iPad with iTunes, Music will recognize those devices and sync the same way.

Syncing devices with Music instead of iTunes

Plug in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod into your computer. Music detects it automatically and shows it in the sidebar. Click the device name, then click the Music tab. You will see the same sync options iTunes had — you can sync your whole library, specific playlists, or artists. Choose what you want and click explore. The sync works the same way iTunes did.

If you use iCloud Music Library (the subscription service that syncs your music across devices), Music handles it better than iTunes did on Windows. Your songs appear on your phone, Mac, and other devices without needing to plug anything in. This is especially useful if you have a large library or add music often.

Moving playlists and smart playlists

All your playlists come over automatically — you do not have to recreate them. Smart playlists (the ones that update based on rules like "songs rated 5 stars from the last year") work the same way in Music. If you made a smart playlist in iTunes that looked for songs with a certain genre or artist, Music uses the exact same rules.

If you want to back up your playlists before switching, you can export them from iTunes as XML files. Open iTunes, go to File > Library > Export Library, and save the file somewhere safe. You can import it into Music later if you need to, though this is usually not necessary since Music reads your library automatically.

Troubleshooting when Music does not find your library

If you open Music and your songs do not appear, the app may not have found your iTunes Media folder. Go to File > Import and navigate to your music folder. On Windows, this is usually in C:\Users\[Your Name]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media. On Mac, it is usually in /Users/[Your Name]/Music/iTunes Media. Select the folder and click Open.

If you moved your iTunes library to an external drive or a different location, Music needs to know where it is. Go to Music menu > Preferences (Mac) or Edit > Preferences (Windows), click Files, and click Change. Point it to wherever your iTunes Media folder lives now. Music will scan it and load all your songs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my music when I switch from iTunes to Music?

No. Music reads the same library files iTunes used, so all your songs, playlists, and play history stay on your computer. Nothing is deleted or moved. If you delete a song from Music, it removes it from the shared library, so it would be gone if you went back to iTunes, but switching to Music itself does not cause any loss.

Can I run iTunes and Music at the same time?

You should not. Both apps read and write to the same library file, and running them together can cause conflicts or duplicate songs. Close iTunes completely before using Music. On Mac, iTunes does not exist in current operating systems, so this is not an issue.

Will my iPhone sync with Music the same way it synced with iTunes?

Yes. Plug in your iPhone and Music detects it the same way iTunes did. You can sync playlists, artists, or your whole library using the same options. If you use iCloud Music Library, Music syncs wirelessly without plugging in, which iTunes on Windows did not do as reliably.

What if I bought music from iTunes — do I still own it?

Yes. Music you bought from the iTunes Store is yours to keep. Music reads those files and plays them just like iTunes did. You can burn them to a CD, copy them to other devices, or keep them in your library. Your purchase history appears in the Music app under Account.

Can I go back to iTunes if I do not like Music?

On Mac, no — iTunes does not exist in Catalina or newer. On Windows, yes — you can uninstall Music and reinstall iTunes from Apple's website. Your library stays intact because both apps use the same files. However, Music has all the features iTunes had, so most people find it works just as well.