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iTunes 12.6.4 Released as Minor Update to Version With Built-In App Store

dannytco said:
[doublepost=1522862846][/doublepost]Still does not let you upgrade to iOS 11.3, says iTunes 12.7 is required. I have been using apple products for the last 25+ years but seriously considering leaving because of their stupid software moves that keep taking away options and useful features.
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I've upgraded all my iOS devices over the air for years. I see no real benefit (except for people in very data-limited situations with multiple iOS devices and even then I'm not sure if, eg, iPads and iPhones might still need separate downloads of iOS updates) in using iTunes for that.

Having an iOS App Store on my Mac has a number of advantages I listed above, another one I failed to mention is being able to browse the App Store and buy apps from my desktop on a much bigger screen than an iPhone has.
 
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This 12.6.4 update requires an upgrade to iTunes before iOS11 is supported. The update is 12.7.3 !! Reported to apple.
 
manu chao said:
I've upgraded all my iOS devices over the air for years. I see no real benefit (except for people in very data-limited situations with multiple iOS devices and even then I'm not sure if, eg, iPads and iPhones might still need separate downloads of iOS updates) in using iTunes for that.

Having an iOS App Store on my Mac has a number of advantages I listed above, another one I failed to mention is being able to browse the App Store and buy apps from my desktop on a much bigger screen than an iPhone has.
Click to expand...

it's also useful to downgrade apps when a "bug fixes/performance and improvements to the customer experience" involves adding full screen banner ads to a previously paid app that went free
 
dannytco said:
[doublepost=1522862846][/doublepost]Still does not let you upgrade to iOS 11.3, says iTunes 12.7 is required. I have been using apple products for the last 25+ years but seriously considering leaving because of their stupid software moves that keep taking away options and useful features.
Click to expand...
Here's what I did and it seems to work with no issues.
Connect your phone using iTunes 12.6.x and do a backup.
Disconnect from iTunes and upgrade to iOS 11.3 via WiFi.
Once the upgrade is complete, reconnect your phone to iTunes and do a backup/sync.
 
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wolfshades said:
I actually liked it when Apple de-coupled the App Store from iTunes. Saves on updating everything twice. Remember how, when you wanted to do a full backup of your iPhone how you had to wait while all purchases were transferred to your computer first? Does anyone else miss that fun?

I’m sure there are those who need the App Store on iTunes but my guess is the majority likely do not.
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Indeed. It's convenient for most but to those with multiple iOS devices within the household as well those with restricted data quota, this version of iTunes is invaluable. These days, iOS apps can be very large and get updated somewhat regularly. Very glad Apple is continuing to support this version of iTunes.
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CamiMR said:
My biggest question is, I have a handful of paid apps, that through iTunes I transfer to my partner and daughter iOS devices (with different Apple IDs) without having to pay for them again. Can anyone tell me if I'd still be able to do this with iTunes 12.7?
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Just sign onto your Apple Store/ID account on your family members' iOS device and then download. Sign off and back onto their account after the download.
[doublepost=1522884715][/doublepost]
dannytco said:
[doublepost=1522862846][/doublepost]Still does not let you upgrade to iOS 11.3, says iTunes 12.7 is required. I have been using apple products for the last 25+ years but seriously considering leaving because of their stupid software moves that keep taking away options and useful features.
Click to expand...
Update to iOS 11.3 directly from within the iOS (Settings -> General -> Software Update). Far far more efficient than updating through iTunes.
 
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saudor said:
it's also useful to downgrade apps when a "bug fixes/performance and improvements to the customer experience" involves adding full screen banner ads to a previously paid app that went free
Click to expand...

Agreed, I have several times gone back an app version via iTunes because the update was broke, removed features, worse layout, required a subscription etc. If I didn’t have the previous version saved via iTunes I couldn’t downgrade.

You can upgrade to 11.3 on device OTA and it will still sync with iTunes 12.6.3 and I assume 12.6.4.

Also, you can still manually update your iPhone via a manual install of the 11.3 ispw. You can find the 11.3 ispw at https://www.unlockboot.com/download-ios-11-3-ipsw/ and then follow the manual install instructions at http://osxdaily.com/2017/09/24/install-ios-11-with-ipsw-firmware/. The initial message from Apple to upgrade iTunes seems to be Apple trying to get those of us who still need App store support in iTunes to upgrade.
 
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Is there any difference in using this version with the app store vs the regular iTunes?
I wouldn't want to mess anything up if I use this version of the app. I like the App store feature.
 
dannytco said:
[doublepost=1522862846][/doublepost]Still does not let you upgrade to iOS 11.3, says iTunes 12.7 is required. I have been using apple products for the last 25+ years but seriously considering leaving because of their stupid software moves that keep taking away options and useful features.
Click to expand...
Yep, I mentioned that last week when iOS 11.3 was released and was mocked for not getting with the times.
 
So there is a business version of iTunes (12.6.x), but its not compatible with iOS devices on the latest iOS (11.3)? Apple...
 
a0me said:
Yep, I mentioned that last week when iOS 11.3 was released and was mocked for not getting with the times.
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You're on macrumours where we're all supposed to upgrade head first into the latest and "greatest" no matter how many glitches are there. Also, you must have unconditional acceptance that apple can do no wrong. If something is acting up, it's your fault. Remember apple is perfect. /s

But dont go too far upgrading into beta territory. Those guys will slap ya silly for using beta software as soon as you report one bug.
 
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yansun said:
So there is a business version of iTunes (12.6.x), but its not compatible with iOS devices on the latest iOS (11.3)? Apple...
Click to expand...
The latest version of iTunes is compatible with all of my iOS devices (all on iOS 11.3), all are not current models but zero issues with synching music/apps/settings. The "business" version of iTunes is on my Mac Mini Server, again with zero issues with synching and downloading app updates from Apple.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/does-itunes-12-6-3-work-with-ios-11-3.2112346/#post-25936595
 
campyguy said:
The latest version of iTunes is compatible with all of my iOS devices (all on iOS 11.3), all are not current models but zero issues with synching music/apps/settings. The "business" version of iTunes is on my Mac Mini Server, again with zero issues with synching and downloading app updates from Apple.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/does-itunes-12-6-3-work-with-ios-11-3.2112346/#post-25936595
Click to expand...
I'm still on 12.6.3, with all my devices on iOS 11.3. I did not have to restore a device recently though. But since you're able to sync, a restore from backup should be possible too?
 
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I have 2 Macs running iTunes 12.6.3. I just tried updating one of them to 12.7.5 using the download from Apple’s website (it doesn’t appear in the App Store). However when I start the freshly installed 12.7.5 it reports an error and quits. I tried reinstalling 12.6.3 and luckily this worked - my iTunes library is back.
So it looks like I cannot “upgrade” to the latest iTunes from version 12.6.3. I suppose this might be associated with 12.6.3 not prompting to update to 12.7+.

Update: I have succesfully upgraded to 12.7.3 but then cannot upgrde to 12.7.5 due to the same error. It seems to have something to do with file permissions. BTW links to old versions of iTunes can be found here https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-13022
 
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DotCom2 said:
I might be weird, but I kinda liked having the App Store in iTunes.
What are the cons of getting the version that has the App Store back in it? I might want to get it if there are none.
I do have an iPhone X.
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Example of how useful having the App Store in iTunes can be:

- App: Infuse for iOS, paid version
- Available today, June 10, 2018
- I downloaded today the last released (let's say it's the 2.0 version)

- I use iTunes and download it to my C:\ folder.

- Once I get the .IPA file I only need to plug the iPAD/iPhone into my PC and send the IPA back to the device *

* In order to do this you don't need internet access.

- And if I want I can save the .IPA file elsewhere, for example, in Dropbox.

Now imagine this situation:

a) The app is removed from Apple Store in June 11 for some stupid reason.

OR

b) Version 2.1 from this player is released in June 11, and removes support for the DTS codec, available in 2.0 and all previous versions.

- Your iPAD or iPhone are lost or you have bought a new one. Or you want to reset to factory settings (for whatever reason, let's say doing that will improve the speed of the device or battery).

- You can't download the app anymore, since it's not in Apple Store. Your alternative is: use another app from there (which might be inferior, or you may be out of options).

- You can download the same app, but only version 2.1, worse than what you had.

You do know both of these issues are solved with App Store in iTunes and the ability to backup these apps and reupload them to your device, don't you?

That's what we are gaining by using any iTunes version without support for App Store.
 
Cons of iTunes 12.6.3:
1. Unlikely to support Airplay2 from within the app so fewer options connectng to audio devices like Homepod
Having said that, the latest iTunes (12.7.5) currently does not seem to support Airplay2 either - it does not output to stereo Homepods - but hoping the next update will

2. I have one Mac running 12.6.3 so I can manage apps and ringtones on iOS devices and another Mac running 12.7.5 for media. “Upgrading” to 12.7.5 from 12.7.3 was a major hassle. Eventually I discovered that I needed to trash iTunes preferences to get 12.7.5 to run.

3. Apple is rumoured to be working on an improved user interface for iTunes (long overdue!) and I doubt if 12.6.xx will receive the improvement

4. 12.6.xx probably won’t prompt you for updates as it is not managed through the Apple App Store.
 
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