This page offers an overview of the full history of iTunes, Apple’s music library, the digital entertainment store, and the iPhone and iPad management software.
Before It Was iTunes: SoundJam MP
The program we now know as iTunes began life as MP3 player software called SoundJam MP. It was distributed by Mac software developers Casady & Greene and was written by Jeff Robbin, Bill Kincaid, and Dave Heller. Apple made a deal with the developers and publisher in 2000 to acquire SoundJam MP. While SoundJam MP existed for a short while after the deal, it soon became the foundation Apple used to build a new program called iTunes.
The History of iTunes (1–12)
Once iTunes was formally launched in January 2001, new versions packing new features and supporting new iOS devices came fast. Here are the highlights of each version and what was added with each new iTunes release:
iTunes 12
Release Date: October 16, 2014 Added:
New user interface Support for Family Sharing Support for Windows 10 Integration of the user’s library and iTunes Store when browsing New playlist editing features
Other notable releases:
12.9 (iOS 12 support) 12.7 (iOS 11 support, removes App Store) 12.5.1 (major interface overhaul for Apple Music, iOS 10 support) 12.2 (Apple Music support, revised interface, removal of Home Sharing) 12.1.3.6 (iOS 9 support, last version to support Windows Vista and Windows XP) 12.1 (Bug fixes, Notification Center widget, 64-bit support for Windows) 12.1.2 (Support for new macOS Photos app)
iTunes 11
Release Date: November 29, 2012 Added:
New user interface iCloud integration End of Ping
Other notable releases:
11.4 (iOS 8 support) 11.1 (iOS 7 support, last version to support Mac OS X 10.6)
iTunes 10
Release Date: September 1, 2010 Added:
iTunes Ping social network AirPlay iTunes Match iBookstore in the iTunes Store iTunes in the Cloud
Other notable releases:
10.7 (iOS 6 support, adds support for Windows 8) 10.6.3 (last version to support Mac OS X 10.5.8) 10.5 (iOS 5 support) 10.4 (64-bit support)
iTunes 9
Release Date: September 2009 Added:
Home Sharing Genius Mixes iTunes LP for music, iTunes Extra for movies Removal of DRM from music HD movie rental at iTunes Store iTunes DJ
Other notable releases:
9.2 (iOS 4 support, lets you organize apps into folders using iTunes) 9.1 (original iPad support) 9.0.2 (adds Windows 7 support)
iTunes 8
Release Date: September 9, 2008 Added:
iTunes Genius Genius playlists TV shows in HD on iTunes Store
Other notable releases:
8.2 (iOS 3 support)8.1 (third generation iPod Shuffle support)8.0.2 (iOS 2.2 support)
iTunes 7
Release Date: September 12, 2006 Added:
Gapless playbackCoverFlow browsing interfaceMovies for purchase at iTunes StoreSync purchased content from iPod
Other notable releases:
7.7 (iOS 2 support) 7.6 (64-bit Windows support) 7.5 (last version to support Windows XP RTM SP1 32-bit) 7.4 (1st gen. iPod touch support) 7.3.2 (last version to support Windows 2000) 7.3 (original iPhone support) 7.2 (full Windows Vista support, introduces iTunes Plus and iTunes U) 7.1 (Apple TV support)
iTunes 6
Release Date: October 12, 2005 Added:
Sales of music videos, TV shows, and short films at the iTunes Store
iTunes 5
Release Date: September 7, 2005 Added:
Party ShufflePodcastsAirTunes, which became AirPlay
iTunes 4
Release Date: April 2003 Added:
iTunes StoreWindows supportAuthorizing computers in iTunesAirTunes
Other notable releases:
4.9 (adds podcasting support) 4.5 (Apple Lossless audio codec)
iTunes 3
Release Date: July 2002 Added:
End of Mac OS 9 support Star ratings for songs Smart playlists SoundCheck Audible.com support
iTunes 2
Release Date: October 2001 Added:
Mac OS X support iPod support Burn MP3 CDs Equalizer
iTunes 1
Release Date: January 9, 2001 Added:
Official conversion from SoundJam MP to iTunes Mac OS 9 support only Rip CDs
iTunes Downloads
It’s important to always run the most up-to-date version of iTunes, but if you need to download old versions of iTunes, learn where to get them here. Looking for iTunes for various operating systems? Check out these options:
Download iTunes for 64-Bit Windows Downloading iTunes for Linux How to Install iTunes on a Mac
