In iTunes 12.7, Apple removed the App Store tab and app management. It became impossible to save applications on the computer and download them through iTunes. We have completely lost the ability to independently manage what is installed on our devices. But it's not so bad - we have the largest Fortune 500 companies on our side. Their pressure forced Apple to leave a fallback. What happened, how to install iTunes with an app store and is it necessary at all
The iTunes App Store is an important part of the ecosystem
While iTunes had the App Store, the computer could act as an intermediary between the iPhone and Apple. Everything that we bought through the App Store was stored on it. Even in the absence of the Internet or with the complete disappearance of Apple with all its infrastructure, it was possible to install and remove downloaded applications. We had our own collection of downloaded applications.
Without an intermediary, all applications will be managed only by Apple. This means that if you remove an app from the App Store, you will no longer be able to install it. Only through a jailbreak (which is more dead than alive).
I illustrated the problem in this video:
Why Apple brought back the App Store in iTunes 12.6.3
Apple devices are used by large Fortune 500 companies. They install special applications that do not exist in the App Store, and are also tied to old applications. They, like us, need control over applications and data. Together they pressured Apple to release a solution.
Apple made a special version of iTunes for business. It retains the App Store tab and allows you to manage Apps on your device. It supports all modern devices, including the iPhone X. But this is not an update. This is an older version of iTunes that you can install and use. This iTunes has version 12.6.3. I call it the iTunes business.
Do I need to install iTunes 12.6.3 (Business)
You need to install if any of these are important to you:
- old apps,
- Control over applications without the Internet,
- Storing apps on your computer to save space on your iPhone,
- Special applications that may disappear from the appstore,
- You have more than a dozen devices and manage them via USB hubs
iTunes business setup video
Preparing to install iTunes 12.6.3 business
The media library will need to be restored. I think that now you are using a version higher than 12.6. This means that your iTunes library (files with information about what you have in iTunes) has been updated. If you install iTunes 12.6.3, then it will not be able to read your new library and you will need to restore it to the state of September 13, 2017. Everything that was added / removed later is considered lost.
iTunes will no longer update itself. You will need to install new versions manually. But this is not a big problem. You will only be able to install an update if something doesn't work for you. At the moment, the itunes 12.7 update only cuts features. iTunes 12.6 can do everything and even more.
Installing iTunes 12.6.3 (Business)
The first thing you need to do is download the installer:
The interesting begins when we launch iTunes. Usually the following window is shown:
New iTunes Library File Warning
I spoke about this above. Your library is too new and he can't read it. He suggests installing a new iTunes to read it. But that's not what we set up iTunes business for, right? =)
Restoring iTunes Library.itl
Close iTunes.
Go to iTunes Library.itl folder
/Users/[YourUserName]/Music/iTunes
Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\[YourUserName]\My Documents\My Music\iTunes
Windows Vista
C:\Users\[YourUserName]\Music\iTunes
Windows 7, 8 or 10
C:\Users\[YourUserName]\My Music\iTunes
We'll make a backup. Rename iTunes Library.itl in iTunes Library.itl.new. You can rename it as you like, but I like new - it means that this is a newer library. You can simply add ones or zeros to the name. As you wish.
Then we go into Previous iTunes Libraries. Among them we find a media library older than September 13, 2017. In my case, it was the September 13 library: iTunes Library 2016-09-13.itl. Move it to the folder above so that it is with iTunes Library.itl.new and rename it to iTunes Library.itl. Now iTunes will try to use this file at startup and will find the “native” library from September 13th in it.
This is how my iTunes Library file looks like
Correcting the menu
After starting the Programs will not appear. Need to choose "Edit Menu..." and check the box next to "Programs".
For programs to appear, you need to add them to the menu Select the newly appeared Programs in the drop-down menu on the left. Here again is the App Store tab.
iTunes 12.6.3 with Programs tab
Bringing back the new iTunes
If something stops working. Or you decide that you no longer need the iTunes business, you can easily return the new version.
Download iTunes from the Apple website. You can leave out the mail and address if you do not need advertising from Apple.
At the first start, the library will be updated and everything will become as Apple and the government want =)
Here's a video:
Very often, Apple users are faced with the fact that they do not see programs in iTunes. There are actually not very many reasons why this can happen, and all of them can be listed literally on the fingers of one hand. In today's material, we will talk in detail about these very problems, due to which the "tuna" does not see the program, and also share effective solutions for troubleshooting these problems.
It's all about iTunes versions
So, one of the most common reasons why iTunes does not show programs is the version of iTunes installed. No matter how strange it may sound, but "tuna" is very picky about the versions of its programs. For example, if an old version or some kind of beta is installed, then iTunes can work completely unpredictably, which causes various problems: program crashes, lack of a list of programs, synchronization errors, and much more.
You will be interested:
What can be done in this situation? The best option would be to remove the current version of iTunes and install the latest and, most importantly, stable version. In some cases, installing a previous version can remove problems in the program, but not too outdated - this is important.
Reinstalling iTunes
The next reason why iTunes does not show programs is a malfunction of the program itself. This also happens, and this should not be surprising. If iTunes, regardless of the version, does not display a list of programs, and generally does not work correctly, then you need to perform a complete reinstallation of it with the removal of all created files, folders, registry keys, etc. You can, of course, just delete the "tuna", and after installing it, but this may not always help, because the computer still has records and the necessary program files that will interfere with normal operation.
Here's what you'll need to do to perform a clean install of iTunes:
As you can see, there is nothing complicated in the described actions, so everyone can cope with this task.
Authorization in the program
If the two previous methods did not help, and iTunes does not display programs, then with a high degree of probability there was a failure in synchronizing the Apple account itself. This also happens quite often, which is why many users then have problems when working with "tuna". Failure in synchronization, as a rule, happens most often on Apple smartphones, and not in the program itself on the computer. What is most interesting, if after some time synchronization is restored on the phone, then with the version on the computer, not everything is so smooth. There may continue to be problems that lead to iTunes not showing programs.
What to do in this case and how can I fix this unpleasant problem? In fact, everything is quite simple here. First you need to sign out of your Apple account on your iPhone and sign in again. After that, you need to do all the same, but only in the program on the computer. To do this, launch the "tuna", click on the "Account" tab at the top and select "Authorization" > "Deauthorize this computer" from the list. After the exit is completed, you again need to click on the "Account" tab, select "Authorization"\u003e "Authorize this computer" and enter your data from your Apple account. All!
Jailbreak
Well, the last reason why programs are not displayed in iTunes is jailbreak. Many iPhone owners like to install jailbreaks on their devices, but they do it not quite correctly, or they choose a version that is not very successful, which ultimately leads to some problems. In particular, synchronization is broken, the sound disappears, programs in the "tuna" are not displayed, etc.
Fixing the problem in this case is also quite easy: all you need to do is reset the iPhone to factory settings, and everything will work again.
The iTunes media player has changed beyond recognition over the past 5 years - Apple developers have added a dozen new features, carefully redesigned the interface, discovered the technology for synchronizing data between PC and iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch via Wi-Fi, reinvented the section with music, and even experimented with subscriptions - from now on, family purchases are also available instead of individual purchases.
Apple developers prepare each major upgrade for the release of the new iOS operating system, and small changes produce 7-8 more times a year. Hence the main conclusion - if some sections have disappeared in the "standard" edition of iTunes, for example, there is no program tab in iTunes or there is no sounds tab, then technical changes and updates that have occurred are to blame.
How to return "Sounds"?
The procedure depends on the current version of iTunes:
Up to version 10
The tab with "Ringtones", which allows you to replace the standard notification for calls and messages, is available by default in the left menu, no settings or additional parameters are needed. To add sounds, just call the "File" menu, then click on the "Add file to library" item, and then load a track no longer than 30 seconds with the M4A extension.
10-11 versions
Changes are accepted immediately, and the corresponding section related to interaction with music will immediately appear on the left side of the menu.
After version 11
The song did not play again for a long time - the developers from Apple once again pounced on iTunes with changes and hid the usual parameters to expand the capabilities of the interface. From now on, the "Basic" menu is empty and does not allow in any way to adjust the display order of "Ringtones" or "Sounds".
But even here there were daredevils who figured out how to call the options menu in version 11 and put everything back in place again.
The desired button is located directly below the "Edit" and "Song" sections and is called "Music" by default. If you click there, the system will allow you to "Edit Menu" and put down "Sounds" again, as well as "Books", iTunes U and even "Internet Radio".
Changes are automatically accepted and don't change until users want to update iTunes again.
12 version
The usual ways to return the "Sounds" are again kindly hidden by the developers from Apple, and no settings will help here. Is it possible that the ringtone can no longer be changed, and you will have to be content with the most boring standard melodies? In no case!
From now on, you can download pre-prepared tracks (no more than 30 seconds long, M4A format) by simply dragging and dropping the file into iTunes.
And you can search for what you have added already in the settings of your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch in the "On my device" section, which is located on the left side of the iTunes interface.
How to return "Applications"?
On September 13, 2017, Apple developers released an update for iTunes under the number 12.7.0.166, which was remembered for three important changes:
- Added podcasts and a separate Podcasts tool;
- Apple Music has changed stylistically, a system of personal profiles has appeared, to which they are allowed to subscribe, and then follow activity and change playlists;
- The App Store section has been cut out at the root.
And the last paragraph was a real shock. Users are no longer able to download apps to a computer and then transfer to iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. And there are two reasons for that:
- “Apps” on a PC are really of no interest to anyone. As Cupertinians suggest, the technology of downloading data first to hard drives, and then on iOS is used by 5% of active participants. The rest have long been accustomed to using the App Store built into smartphones and tablets;
- The "Applications" tab in iTunes is simply inconvenient. Long search, problems with updating and choosing the right versions, a strange policy of regional restrictions that first display some content and then prohibit downloads. As a result, the guys from Apple took a chance and were not mistaken - it is much more convenient to download games, programs and other entertainment gizmos from the App Store.
But, if for some reason and personal preferences you need a version of iTunes with a built-in app store, then there are options here:
It is quite possible to prepare for unexpected news from the Apple camp, no matter what innovations the developers have prepared. But, if you dig into the settings once again, study each section and adapt dozens of times to the changes, then no one bothers not to download updates for iTunes, each time refusing the offer that appears on the screen. And most importantly - such a "refusal" will not entail any surprises. Updates for iOS are easily downloaded over the network, content (books, movies) are downloaded using third-party applications (for example, bots from Telegram or VLC Player), and synchronization has long been working not via USB, but in iCloud.
Many users of Apple products after updating iTunes to version 12.7 on a computer was horrified to discover that now there is no program item in the application and, accordingly, the section disappeared App Store.
In this article, we will talk about what the main inconveniences of such an innovation are, briefly describe how Apple indirectly admitted its "mistake", and, of course, we will find a way out of this situation.
Problems after updating iTunes to version 12.7
For those who may not yet know what happened, we explain.
September 13, 2017 year, Apple released iTunes product update with version 12.7.0.166. In this update, in addition to support for syncing devices with iOS 11 and some improvements in working with media files, some very useful and convenient features were cut out.
The greatest resonance among users caused removal from iTunes section Programs. Why is this innovation not to everyone's taste? Below are three points that iPhone owners complain about after the changes in the software released by the developer:
Apple iTunes 12.6.3 release with Programs section
Great user dissatisfaction with the changes made in the update iTunes version 12.7, not left unattended at Apple. It is worth noting that this is certainly a reasonable gesture on the part of the developers. Even if they did not return the excluded functionality in new releases of the program, but the proposed solution is quite working and speaks of the loyalty of the IT giant to its customers
And this is what happened: after a bunch of negativity in their address, Apple went to meet users and October 9, 2017 released version iTunes 12.6.3(despite having a release 12.7 months ago).
In iTunes version 12.6.3, the familiar function of installing ringtones on the iPhone and the access to the App Store, which many people desired, were returned.
Here is what the official Apple website says about this:
Free translation of the message:
Deploying applications in a business environment using iTunes
Learn how to deploy apps with iTunes.
Apple offers Volume Purchase and Apple Configurator on Mac to help enterprise environments manage and distribute apps on iOS devices. But some business partners still need to use iTunes to install apps.
Installing Apps with iTunes
If you have already installed a new version of iTunes, you can download this version of iTunes on your Mac, PC 32-bit or PC 64-bit* and run the installer. Once the installation is complete, you can continue to deploy applications using iTunes.
After installing this version, you will not be prompted to automatically download new versions of iTunes. Update iTunes to the latest version manually when you're ready to upgrade.*Apple provides technical support for the latest version of iTunes only.
Download and install iTunes 12.6.3 on Windows and Mac
As is clear from the above, download iTunes 12.6.3 and you can install it manually. After that, you can also manually upgrade to version 12.7 by downloading the installer from the official website, because automatic update in iTunes 12.6.3 disabled.
iTunes 12.6.3 for Mac OS:
iTunes 12.6.3 for Windows x86 (32 bit):
iTunes 12.6.3 for Windows x64 (64 bit):
After downloading the archive, you need to unpack it and install the program. We advise you to make a backup of your data first.
We launch iTunes and use the Programs section at our discretion. Now we can again install apps from App Store from computer to iPhone, including with an outdated version of iOS.
After the release of iOS 11, the logical step for me was to update iTunes to the latest version 12.7. As it turned out, this time iTunes not only didn't improve, but got worse… I call it degradation. Below I will explain what has disappeared from the iTunes application on the computer and how to live with it ...
The App Store is no more on iTunes!
From now on, the App Store opens only on gadgets. To find an application on a computer, you need to fill in its name in Google, but it no longer transfers from the application page in iTunes.
Shared Files
Apple also removed the ability to manage apps from iTunes. Because of this, the management of icons on the iPhone and iPad in iTunes has disappeared. Only the “Shared Files” management was left, which was moved to a separate section.
Now movies, books, documents and other files are entered into the corresponding programs only through this item.
How to transfer ipa files to iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch from computer now?
If you still have ipa files with old versions of the application that you would like to install on your iDevice, then you still have the opportunity to transfer them to the device. For this you need:
a) open your device in iTunes.
b) Drag the file from Explorer(Windows)/Finder(Mac OS) to the On My Device section of iTunes.
c) Wait until the ipa-file is downloaded.
The same applies to ringtones, the section with which disappeared too from iTunes 12.7.
Can I not upgrade to iTunes 12.7?
Theoretically yes - no problem. But iTunes 12.7 is also designed to correctly pair with iOS 11 devices.
Also in iTunes 12.7, interaction with Apple Music has been redesigned: new options have been added. Basically it's about the social component. You can see and listen to playlists of friends.
These are the changes...
