Apple Quietly Releases iTunes 12.6.3 With Built-In App Store

[whyamihere]

Very good to hear. This was the sole reason I haven't upgraded to High Sierra even.

 

[newellj]

Thank goodness. I already ran into that annoyance when I set up my iphone 8 as new and one of my YouTube apps wasn’t in the store any more. I know I can drag it in, but that’s tedious.

And, in the future, you wouldn't necessarily have a locally downloaded version to load.

 

[blmatthews]

Where do you see it's compatible with the new iPhones? Neither the page you link to nor the readme on the dmg says that.

 

[benji888]

This is regarding iPhone 8, 8+ and X in addition to iOS 11

OMG, does no one read? That was a response to comment #163 one page back:

Also, do people know how forums work? When you see a quote, that up arrow next to the “(name) said:”, click on it, it brings you to the comment they are replying to.

 

[kukhuvud]

iTunes Needs FLAC support already!

 

[Doc69]

I'm very glad to hear this. Anyone could have know that there would be a backlash against this huge abrupt change. I used all the features they removed, i.e. ringtones, downloading, backing up and syncing apps with my iOS devices, using iTunes to organize apps on the pages of my iOS devices and restore/reset iOS devices.

 

[mpeterson78]

If I have ringtones downloaded on my computer and need to copy them over to a new iPhone, how do I do it now that I have iTunes 12.7?

 

[Bobbo1953]

So if you're still on 12.6.2 ... should you install this or not?

I did, but I was already on 12.7. I'm apparently screwed. When I tried to import my library, it said it was from a more recent version and was not compatible. Now I'm trying to figure out how to reverse the downgrade. The App store won't let me. Be careful!
[doublepost=1507585830][/doublepost]Anyone know how to reverse the downgrade. I went from 12.7 to this version, but it says my library is from a more recent version and won't import it. How do I fix that. I followed the steps in the article, but the new library didn't include any of my music.

 

[newellj]

I did, but I was already on 12.7. I'm apparently screwed. When I tried to import my library, it said it was from a more recent version and was not compatible. Now I'm trying to figure out how to reverse the downgrade. The App store won't let me. Be careful!
[doublepost=1507585830][/doublepost]Anyone know how to reverse the downgrade. I went from 12.7 to this version, but it says my library is from a more recent version and won't import it. How do I fix that. I followed the steps in the article, but the new library didn't include any of my music.

I am pretty sure that it you launch 12.6.3, when the pop-up advises that the library file was created by a more recent version and asks if you want to upgrade, iTunes 12.7 will simply reinstall over 12.6.3 and preserve all of your existing library assets and playlists.

 

[Bobbo1953]

I am pretty sure that it you launch 12.6.3, when the pop-up advises that the library file was created by a more recent version and asks if you want to upgrade, iTunes 12.7 will simply reinstall over 12.6.3 and preserve all of your existing library assets and playlists.

It does. But if I choose the re-install button, it takes me over to the App Store but there is no choice for iTunes 12.7 (or any version). I am going to try re-nstalling High Sierra and see if that overwrites iTunes. It seems iTunes is part of the system now.

 

[madmaxmedia]

It does. But if I choose the re-install button, it takes me over to the App Store but there is no choice for iTunes 12.7 (or any version). I am going to try re-nstalling High Sierra and see if that overwrites iTunes. It seems iTunes is part of the system now.

I am in the same boat right now, I didn't read anything about needing to have an old iTunes library backup available. I'm assuming I can find a manual download for 12.7 somewhere...

EDIT- https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

 

[Porco]

Because headphone jack is still universally useful compared to either Bluetooth or Lightning, which are still far from it.

Because some 32 bit apps are not updated, will never be but are still quite useful.

Neither holds Apple back in any way, nor affects anyone who wants to go all-in with Bluetooth, Lightning or only 64 bit apps. Such stuff would simply make Apple products more useful for those that desire such utility.

Take very simple, very common use-cases. For example, ever fly? Ever want to watch the seatback live video instead of whatever you might have on the iDevice? How many mainstream airlines have a Bluetooth connect option for the audio? How many have a Lightning jack for the audio?

Hot girl/guy sits next to you. You strike up a conversation. She/he wants to share a great song on their phone with you. It's not an Apple phone. Did you bring the adapter? If not, tough luck. Or instead of listening together, it turns into a your turn: my turn. How about watching a movie she has on her device together? Tough luck.

Visit a client. They need you to jack into their audio equipment to hear the latest ad/video/conference/broadcast/etc. They're NOT an Apple shop. Offend the client by ridiculing their lack of Apple equipment? Delay the conference so that maybe their IT guy can find some way to jack you into their equipment? Just miss out and look like a disconnected consultant/partner?

This stuff is everywhere. Can't even work wired between iPhone and Macs- must have the adapter or 2 (TWO!) sets of headphone.

It's not "the future" per se, it's still just an ongoing usage hassle. Carry the adapter everywhere and/or be sure this other thing is charged too. Just roll with what you can't do because of the rampant incompatibility outside of a narrow Apple bubble?

"But, but, but the other guys are dropping the headphone jack too." Yes, but they are NOT adopting Lightning. And Bluetooth still has so many limitations in sharing, in quality, etc.

On the app issue, useful apps are useful apps. Sure it would be great if every app was upgraded to be 64bit but neither Apple nor us consumers have any control of that. And if the developer is closed or just doesn't care anymore, that doesn't make their app any less useful to those who use those apps. And there's not always substitutes for every app.

I realize that some of us seem compelled to go with a "whatever Apple thinks/does is the one and only right way for ALL" stance, but I, for one, still subscribe to an earlier Apple decree: "think different" which sometimes applies pretty well when Apple's thinking is working against a consumer's utility. We should be able to think objectively and share our opinions and not necessarily be wrong just because they don't sync with what a corporation has decided... even THAT corporation.

In matters such as the headphone jack and 32-bit app, NOBODY is negatively affected by keeping either- not Apple, not other consumers who only want "the future", etc. However, those who want "the past" can be greatly affected by trying to do what so many do- just roll with it, because we want the whole bad enough to try to roll with the choices that affect us negatively. Some spin that as a unit sale vote in support of Apple's choices but I think that's really a vote to just tolerate the headaches of some Apple choices because we want "the rest" bad enough to do so.

I'm quite the Apple consumer myself. I still HATE the headphone jack decision. It's a terrible fragmentation (driven only by a choice, not being forced there (no "thinner" is not a force)) that puts a burden on us consumers for at least many years to come. There is NO good way to "roll with it" and have any "the future" option work as well. Embrace Bluetooth and reject being able to use the buds with you in many common situations. Embrace lightning and not even be able to use your best headphones with Apple's own Macs. Carrying adapters is a poor substitute to just leaving a tiny hole and tiny channel in for those "old fogeys" who want to keep using the most ubiquitous standard port for audio in the world. Carrying more than one set of headphones to cover all bases is a poor substitute for 30 seconds of "thinner & lighter" spin at the big reveal.

How long until either Lightning or Bluetooth is as available on everything? Never for Lightning and it seems like it will be a very long time for Bluetooth. But hey, let's celebrate our difficulties because a corporation knows best for ALL of us. And let's ridicule our fellow consumers who don't just tow the company line because a concept like "think different" only applies when it aligns with whatever the corporation wants us to buy.

Epic rant, 10/10, would read again.

 

[Joe Siegler]

So does rebuilding the library reset playcounts and last played?

Anyone have an answer to this? I'd like to know this too.

[doublepost=1507588991][/doublepost]Edit: I installed this. I had to use an old library, but I used Time machine to restore the version of the library from the day before 12.7 was released, as I installed 12.7 on the day it was released. Only missed a few song counts, not a huge loss.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Epic rant, 10/10, would read again.

I consider it pretty sad that a rant is even required for this kind of stuff. Happy customers buy more. Unhappy customers with some lock-in buy with some frustration because they feel they need the rest or don't want to go to the trouble of starting over in a different ecosystem. But ecosystem lock-in is not cute or genius, except to stockholders and employees. To users, lock-in can also mean pinned in, locked down, flexibility is squeezed... all at the whims of a corporation deciding to include this but deprecate that. Nobody likes feeling pinched like that. When the keepers of the pen are making very consumer-friendly decisions, the "herd" won't feel it so much because it seems to bring something to them. In stuff like this, it just burdens the herd for no apparent tangible gain.

It IS a hassle. We consumers didn't really get ANYTHING for taking on the hassle. Hardly any of us clamor for "thinner" anymore. But we'll be enduring the hassle in the hardware decision for many years to come. I doubt if we could hop on out- say- 5 years- late 2022, something as simple as Airplane screens will have Lightning connectors OR Bluetooth connect options. FIVE years of dongle wrangling... or just doing without because you forgot it, lost it or went with "the future" option that still can't connect to everything in the future.

Consider this fantasy: Apple takes the stage to reveal the new iPhones 8 and X and says something like "we heard you. We heard many of you say how much you missed the headphone jack. So with the new 8 and X, we put it back in." Can we picture applause, silence or booing in that scenario? Does anyone boo gaining more utility in any kind of tool? After trying to roll with adapters, is anyone likely indifferent enough to feel nothing? How many probably applaud?

Same with this 64-bit app thing. The argument was that the non-optimized apps may run slower on the new phones. OK, better that they can still run than to be jettisoned entirely. Some have no comparable replacement apps. For people who use iDevices for work, that's like reaching into a mechanic's toolbox and just throwing out some good tools: "just do your job without those tools because they were not updated." What does that really get us consumers? Nothing. Developers willing to adapt to 64-bit are going to do it anyway.

Is Apple concerned with customer experience... that slower apps might harm customer experience? If so, make the OS display a warning window each time someone runs a 32-bit app: "This developer of this app has not optimized it for this iPhone. As such, it may run slower than other apps that ARE optimized. Please contact the App developer asking them to update this app for iPhone 8/X". If users touch through, all blame for any app slow-down is mentally deflected from Apple. That's such an EASY way to persist the utility and let users decide for themselves if they want to run less optimized apps or not. Hard to do? Not at all, there was already a window that was popping announcing that such apps would NOT run with the new systems- just repurpose that.

But what do I know? I have NOT piled up "$2XX billion dollars in the bank" so clearly Apple knows best... for ALL of us. Who needs utility? What we need is to comply... and spend more per user so we can do so.

 

[Bobbo1953]

It does. But if I choose the re-install button, it takes me over to the App Store but there is no choice for iTunes 12.7 (or any version). I am going to try re-nstalling High Sierra and see if that overwrites iTunes. It seems iTunes is part of the system now.

I reinstalled High Sierra. No joy. Then I did the simple thing of searching for 12.7 download. That took me to the official Apple site. I downloaded and installed. JOY!. Why does the freeking app store not do this? I searched for iTunes 12.7 in App Store and it gave no results. Apple needs to get back to tying things together better. Like they used to.

 

[Analog Kid]

https://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

Basically going back to what they had years ago with iSync.

Vote to bring it back!:
https://www.apple.com/feedback/isync.html

 

[Rigby]

Many companies develop internal iOS Apps for use by employees. They are not available in the App Store. The only way to install them on your iOS device is to open the .ipa file in iTunes, choose Install, and sync to the device.

The only reason Apple released this version is because they left large corporations without an alternative way to install proprietary internal Apps.

You can still install ipa files with iTunes 12.7. Just drag the file to the "on my device" section in the left sidebar.

 

[christo747]

I’m fine with the new version, and keeping it.. less bloat and it works for my needs.

But glad if this helps anyone out.
[doublepost=1507548179][/doublepost]

I doubt it will go smooth for everyone, another reason I’m keeping the new version. But then again my devices are not filled with useless apps, I tend to only keep the few I need and delete the rest anyway.

Thanks. It's quite a drama and in my opinion so unnecessary. I have some very special old apps that apple kind of just took away from me because I cannot get them onto my device because they are not on the App Store anymore.
[doublepost=1507594588][/doublepost]

You can still install ipa files with iTunes 12.7. Just drag the file to the "on my device" section in the left sidebar.

Really? I will check that.

 

[TheIntruder]

Before people go patting Apple on the back, take a closer look.

This is an unsupported release, made available only to placate "certain business partners" who use iTunes to manage their devices and deploy apps.

More importantly, by providing compatibility with iOS 11 and the new iPhones, it removes any potential impediments to volume sales of the new hardware to such businesses.

We, the Plebes, are merely unintended beneficiaries of this move. Apple still doesn't care about us.

Presumably, Apple needs some more time to make accommodations to their enterprise tools, and those valuable business accounts will adjust.

At best, this buys some time before the next round of annual updates, and the situation will repeat itself again for normal users.

I certainly don't hold out any hope for an iSync revival or any other such solution. Apple's path with iOS devices is clearly leading to completely untethered procurement and management.

Hope you guys enjoy the show, 'cuz the hammer thrower ain't comin' to rescue 'ya.

 

[Four oF NINE]

Why have so many apps not updated to an iOS compatible version? The bulk of my apps were downloaded during the iPhone 3G era.. I've eliminated quite a few of them, and few are used frequently but I like having the option.

 

[newellj]

It does. But if I choose the re-install button, it takes me over to the App Store but there is no choice for iTunes 12.7 (or any version). I am going to try re-nstalling High Sierra and see if that overwrites iTunes. It seems iTunes is part of the system now.

Google "iTunes download" and you'll get a direct link to a freestanding OS X version of 12.7.

 

[gr8tfly]

If you haven't updated iTunes from 12.6.2 and are/will be installing macOS 10.13.1 seed 2*, you will most likely need this build as 12.6.2 crashes on launch. I installed 12.6.3 and all is well again. (I never updated to 12.7, so I didn't need to do anything library wise).

I hope the download numbers are such that Apple does indeed put the AppStore and other features back in to the supported 12.7 version. Doesn't hurt to hope...

(*Yes, I had a full backup so I could have returned to 10.13.1 seed 1.)

 

[redpandadev]

But I'm still waiting for them to add a way to drag and drop photos to and from the iphone. I hate adding photos/videos, aka adding them to one folder and syncing it to my phone. and then once there, not one possible way to remove any of said items unless you remove from folder and resync, but I'm sure I'll dead and still waiting. ):

You can do this with the built-in Image Capture app on macOS.

 

[class77]

OMG, does no one read? That was a response to comment #163 one page back:
View attachment 724566


Also, do people know how forums work? When you see a quote, that up arrow next to the “(name) said:”, click on it, it brings you to the comment they are replying to.

Chill Dude, I was trying to provide information for someone else who perhaps hadn't read all 8 pages. If it didn't apply to you, move on

 

[ClvSteamer]

You can do this with the built-in Image Capture app on macOS.

You can drag and drop from, but not to your iPad/iPhone using Image Capture. Same with Preview.
"To" would indeed be a nice thing to have