Sur 117 — Itunes Macos Big

Your actual media files (music, movies, etc.) remain in the same location:

For users who only miss iTunes because of its device management capabilities, third-party software offers a more robust interface than the standard macOS Finder. Tools like , AnyTrans , or MacX MediaTrans allow you to drag and drop music, manage photos, download apps, and extract backups without ever needing the official iTunes framework. Troubleshooting Media and Sync Issues on Big Sur 11.7

However, some outdated online sources claim otherwise, suggesting that "iTunes is fully compatible with macOS Big Sur". These claims are misleading and likely refer to the functionality of your iTunes library within the new apps rather than the iTunes application itself. Your remains accessible, but the application is gone. itunes macos big sur 117

Then she saw the number in the bottom left corner: 117.

Testing on a 2020 MacBook Air (Apple M1) running macOS 11.7 reveals: Your actual media files (music, movies, etc

Elara reached for the power cord. But the screen had changed. It wasn’t macOS Big Sur anymore. It was an interface she hadn’t seen since college—iTunes 4, the Windows XP-era brushed metal skin. Her mouse moved on its own. It dragged a single song into the library.

If you are running —a stable, legacy operating system that even received surprise security updates in early 2026—you might be wondering what happened to iTunes. These claims are misleading and likely refer to

Embrace the for device management. Embrace the Music app for your songs. Embrace the TV and Podcasts apps for video and audio shows.

If you need to transfer your music library from an old Mac or a backup to your new Big Sur machine, the process is straightforward:

However, for new users or those who have performed a clean installation of Big Sur 11.7, iTunes is no longer a pre-installed app. Instead, they will find the separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps, which offer a more focused experience for each type of media.

All your imported MP3s, ripped CDs, and local audio files live here.