iTunes Death Rumors Gain Credibility
Apple is reportedly planning to announce the potential demise of the 18-year-old iTunes app at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, according to various sources. This development, if confirmed, would mark a significant shift in Apple's media management strategy.
The rumours about the possible death of iTunes were first noted on Reddit, and have since gained momentum as WWDC approaches. MacRumors has reported these developments, noting that on Facebook, it appears as though Apple may have moved the content from its iTunes page over to its Apple TV page. The iTunes pages on Facebook and Instagram have been scrubbed of their content, while the Twitter account for iTunes appears to be functioning normally.
The report does not specify whether the breakup of iTunes would also include the iTunes Store. However, it is known that Apple's plans to replace iTunes with separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps for macOS were officially implemented with macOS Catalina in 2019. This update discontinued iTunes and introduced these standalone apps on macOS, marking a shift to specialized media applications rather than a single media hub.
Developer Steve Troughton-Smith tweeted in April that he is "fairly confident" Apple is planning to introduce new (likely UIKit) Music, Podcasts, perhaps even Books, apps for macOS. If the iTunes app is indeed being killed, users would reportedly be able to manage their iPhone products through the Music app.
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg reported on Friday that the iTunes app, which has been used for confusing functions for far too long, would be replaced by new macOS apps Music, TV, and Podcasts. If this rumour holds true, it would mean the "much-discussed and long-awaited break up of iTunes."
It is important to note that no official confirmation has been made by Apple regarding the killing of the iTunes app. The new macOS apps Music, TV, and Podcasts are expected to be announced at WWDC, which kicks off on Monday. If these apps are indeed introduced, they would join the new TV app and mark another step in Apple's evolution of media management.
Regarding the upcoming WWDC 2025, Apple announced macOS Tahoe along with iOS 26 and several other OS updates, but there were no new confirmations or announcements about further replacing or changing the Music, TV, and Podcasts apps that had already replaced iTunes. The separation of iTunes into these three apps is therefore a confirmed Apple change dating back to macOS Catalina rather than a rumored future change related to WWDC 2025.
In summary, while the rumours about the demise of iTunes are gaining traction, it is important to remember that these are just rumours until Apple makes an official announcement. The separation of iTunes into Music, TV, and Podcasts apps is a confirmed change from 2019 and not a new or rumoured plan at the latest WWDC. There is no credible information from recent events indicating a reversal or further replacement of these apps at WWDC 2025.
- The rumors about the potential death of iTunes have gained momentum since the announcement of Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, where the tech giant may announce the end of the 18-year-old iTunes app.
- If confirmed, the end of iTunes would mark a significant shift in Apple's media management strategy, with new macOS apps like Music, TV, and Podcasts potentially taking over.
- In contrast, the separation of iTunes into the Music, TV, and Podcasts apps was a confirmed change that occurred with macOS Catalina in 2019, and there is no credible information from recent events indicating a reversal or further replacement of these apps at WWDC 2025.
