Apple Confirms That It Isn’t Killing iTunes Music Downloads — Yet

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So, is iTunes really dead?

Apparently, not just yet.

Aiming to ease users’ anxieties over their previously purchased content on iTunes, Apple has officially released a support document detailing exactly what will happen once macOS Catalina officially launches.

Explaining that people can find their favorite features and back catalog “in three new and more focused apps,” the Cupertino tech giant writes,

“Here’s what to expect.

Music that you’ve imported or purchased will be in the new Apple Music app.

Music playlists and smart playlists that you’ve created in iTunes will be in the new Apple Music app.

The iTunes Store will still be available to buy music on Mac, iOS, PC, and Apple TV.

iTunes Gift Cards and iTunes credits will be maintained and can be used with the new apps and the App Store.

iPhone, iPad, and iPod backup, restore, and syncing will move to Finder.

Movies and TV shows that you purchased or rented from iTunes will be in the new Apple TV app.

Use the Apple TV app for Mac for future movie and TV purchases or rentals.

Podcasts that you subscribed to or added to iTunes will now be in the new Apple Podcasts app.

Audiobooks that you purchased from iTunes will now be in the updated Apple Books app.

Use the Apple Books app for Mac for future audiobook purchases.”

In addition, users can find their “ripped” and imported music along with purchased media content much “faster and easier.”

The dedicated Music, TV, and Podcast apps will also organize users’ files just as in the original iTunes.

“Your previous iTunes Store purchases and synced libraries will not change on any of your devices.”

For those worried about music downloads, the Cupertino tech giant has confirmed people can still purchase songs and albums.

“The iTunes Store on Mac can easily be found in the improved Sidebar in the Apple Music app.  The iTunes Store will remain the same as it is today on iOS, PC, and Apple TV.  And, as always, you can access and download all of your purchases on any of your devices.”

Pushing users away from individual song and album downloads, the company writes people can stream music and download over 50 million songs for offline listening on Apple Music, with an added bonus.

“If you subscribe to Apple Music, you can also choose to show or hide the iTunes Store to simplify the experience further.”

People can also continue to purchase movies, TV shows, and audiobooks on macOS Catalina.  Users can find their previous media purchases on the dedicated TV and Books apps.

For users still wondering how to sync with their current iPhones, iPods, and iPads, the company explains how to quickly manage your device.

“All of the ways you manage devices in iTunes will soon appear in the Finder on Mac.  Your sync settings and previous backups in iTunes will be kept safe on your Mac after updating to macOS Catalina.  Now that devices appear in Finder, it’s also easier to drag and drop files you want to transfer all in one place.”

As a reminder, users on Windows can still download and use the original iTunes software to access their back catalog as well as purchase new content.