Martin JørgenseniTunes – download and media library for Windows and Apple devices
iTunes is Apple’s classic multimedia player and media library, still used by millions of people—especially on Windows. The app gives you access to music, movies, podcasts, audiobooks, and iPhone/iPad backups in one place. Although Apple has phased out iTunes on newer Mac computers, you can still download and use iTunes for free on Windows.
We tested iTunes on a Windows 11 PC, where installation was quick and syncing with an iPhone was stable and trouble-free.
What is iTunes used for today?
Today, iTunes primarily serves as:
- Media library for music and video
- Backup and sync tool for iPhone and iPad
- Access to Apple Music, podcasts, and audiobooks
- CD ripping and organizing local music
Especially if you use Windows and have an iPhone, iTunes is still the key tool for local backup and file transfers.
Features and capabilities in iTunes
With iTunes you can, among other things:
- Play music and video in high quality
- Import CDs and digital music files
- Create and manage playlists
- Sync content with iPhone, iPad, and iPod
- Listen to thousands of internet radio stations
- Manage podcasts and audiobooks
- Create full local backups of iOS devices
iTunes is straightforward and easy to get started with, even for new users.
Save your CDs and music digitally with iTunes
If you have old CDs lying around, iTunes can quickly digitize them. The music is imported directly into your library, where it can be organized by artist, album, and genre. You can then transfer the music to your iPhone or use it alongside Apple Music.
That makes iTunes a great archive for your personal music collection—even if you usually stream.
Apple Music and iTunes – how do they work together?
Apple Music is Apple’s streaming service and works directly with iTunes on Windows. Here you can combine your own music library with streaming of millions of songs, albums, and playlists.
Unlike Spotify, Apple Music is tightly integrated with your local music library, which many users still prefer.
Podcasts, books, and video in one place
Beyond music, iTunes can be used to:
- Listen to Apple Podcasts
- Manage audiobooks
- Watch movies and TV shows purchased via Apple
On Windows, iTunes is still the all-in-one hub where everything is handled in one place.
iTunes on Windows, Mac, and iPhone
- Windows: iTunes can be downloaded for free and used without limitations
- Mac: In newer macOS versions, iTunes is split into Music, TV, and Podcasts
- iPhone/iPad: These features are integrated into Apple Music and Settings
Top 5 tips for iTunes
Optimize audio quality
Go to Preferences → Playback, and choose the highest available quality for music playback to get the best listening experience.
Organize your library
Use the "Get Album Artwork" feature to add great-looking covers and keep your music organized.
Create Smart Playlists
Set up Smart Playlists that automatically update based on genre, play count, or ratings.
Back up your iPhone
Use iTunes to create local backups of your iPhone—often faster and more secure than using iCloud.
Use keyboard shortcuts
Learn the most useful shortcuts for quick navigation, skipping tracks, and adjusting volume.
