Apple looks to replace iTunes with Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices, now available as standalone apps on Windows 11

Apple has officially launched standalone apps for Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices on Windows machines, marking the end of a long preview period and the phasing out of the iTunes app on some computers.

As reported discovered by MacRumors, these apps for Windows 11 reflect Apple’s strategy to split iTunes into multiple platforms, similar to how these apps operate on Macs. Windows 10 and later users can now download the three separate apps to manage their devices and access Apple Music and Apple TV content.

Microsoft initially announced plans for Apple Music and Apple TV apps for the Microsoft Store in October 2022, indicating that the transition from iTunes has been in progress for over a year.

Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices standalone apps on Windows 11

The standalone Apple apps were first launched in a preview capacity in January 2023, with regular updates being made by Apple since then. The “Preview” label has been removed from these Windows apps.

Apple Music on Windows 11 (Image: Microsoft Store)

The Apple Music app provides Windows users with a platform to listen to and manage their music from their iTunes library, including iTunes Store purchases. Similarly, the Apple TV app enables users to watch and manage movies and TV shows from iTunes, while also granting access to Apple’s streaming services, Apple Music and Apple TV+.

Apple TV app on Windows 11

The Apple Devices app is tailored for PC owners to update, back up, restore, and manage their iPhones and iPads, as well as sync content from their PCs.

These standalone apps require Windows 10 or later, and all three must be installed to transition away from iTunes. However, iTunes will still be used solely for accessing podcasts and audiobooks. It’s important not to delete the iTunes library, as it is utilized by the Apple Music and Apple TV apps.

For PC users unable to update to Windows 11, iTunes will remain available, but the new standalone apps offer a more modern and user-friendly experience, closer to the interfaces found on Macs.