Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iTunes 12.6.5.3 on Apple Silicon

bogdanw

bogdanw

macrumors 603
Original poster
Mar 10, 2009
6,262
3,129
Yes, iTunes 12.6.5.3 partially works on Apple Silicon.
You can’t log into the Store, but it plays local files, including 4K video, and still has Internet Radio :)

Apple has removed the page for iTunes 12.6.5.3 https://support.apple.com/kb/HT208079 but the link for the dmg is still active https://secure-appldnld.apple.com/i...-B085-11E8-B6AB-C1D03409AD2A/iTunes12.6.5.dmg

AppleScript that extracts iTunes.app from the dmg, modifies Info.plist with 13.9.9 instead of 12.6.5.3 so that the app will be allowed to start, copies the app into Applications and starts the app.

Code: 
set theDMG to choose file with prompt "Please select iTunes dmg file:" of type {"dmg"}
do shell script "hdiutil mount " & quoted form of POSIX path of theDMG
do shell script "pkgutil --expand /Volumes/iTunes/Install\\ iTunes.pkg ~/tmp"
do shell script "hdiutil unmount /Volumes/iTunes/"
do shell script "cd ~/tmp/iTunesX.pkg; cat Payload | gunzip -dc |cpio -i; ditto ~/tmp/iTunesX.pkg/Applications/iTunes.app ~/tmp/iTunes.app;"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleGetInfoString -string 'iTunes 13.9.9' ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleShortVersionString -string 13.9.9 ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleVersion -string 13.9.9 ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "touch ~/tmp/iTunes.app"
do shell script "ditto ~/tmp/iTunes.app /Applications/iTunes.app"
do shell script "rm -r ~/tmp"
do shell script "open /Applications/iTunes.app"

I would suggest opening Preferences – Restrictions, disabling iTunes Store and restarting the app.

The same script can be used for other versions of iTunes, I’ve tested it on 12.7.5.9 and 12.8.3.1.
Links from Apple for the dmg files https://www.theiphonewiki.com/wiki/ITunes

iTunes-on-Apple-Silicon.jpg

Merry Christmas! :)
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: SkweeBop, katbel and Macyourdayy
bogdanw said:
Yes, iTunes 12.6.5.3 partially works on Apple Silicon.
You can’t log into the Store, but it plays local files, including 4K video, and still has Internet Radio :)

Apple has removed the page for iTunes 12.6.5.3 https://support.apple.com/kb/HT208079 but the link for the dmg is still active https://secure-appldnld.apple.com/i...-B085-11E8-B6AB-C1D03409AD2A/iTunes12.6.5.dmg

AppleScript that extracts iTunes.app from the dmg, modifies Info.plist with 13.9.9 instead of 12.6.5.3 so that the app will be allowed to start, copies the app into Applications and starts the app.

Code: 
set theDMG to choose file with prompt "Please select iTunes dmg file:" of type {"dmg"}
do shell script "hdiutil mount " & quoted form of POSIX path of theDMG
do shell script "pkgutil --expand /Volumes/iTunes/Install\\ iTunes.pkg ~/tmp"
do shell script "hdiutil unmount /Volumes/iTunes/"
do shell script "cd ~/tmp/iTunesX.pkg; cat Payload | gunzip -dc |cpio -i; ditto ~/tmp/iTunesX.pkg/Applications/iTunes.app ~/tmp/iTunes.app;"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleGetInfoString -string 'iTunes 13.9.9' ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleShortVersionString -string 13.9.9 ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleVersion -string 13.9.9 ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "touch ~/tmp/iTunes.app"
do shell script "ditto ~/tmp/iTunes.app /Applications/iTunes.app"
do shell script "rm -r ~/tmp"
do shell script "open /Applications/iTunes.app"

I would suggest opening Preferences – Restrictions, disabling iTunes Store and restarting the app.

The same script can be used for other versions of iTunes, I’ve tested it on 12.7.5.9 and 12.8.3.1.
Links from Apple for the dmg files https://www.theiphonewiki.com/wiki/ITunes

View attachment 2041853

Merry Christmas! :)
Click to expand...
What are the latest devices iOS/ iPadOS that are still Backingup/ Restoring properly with it? Whats been your experience on that so far?
 
bogdanw said:
Yes, iTunes 12.6.5.3 partially works on Apple Silicon.
You can’t log into the Store, but it plays local files, including 4K video, and still has Internet Radio :)

Apple has removed the page for iTunes 12.6.5.3 https://support.apple.com/kb/HT208079 but the link for the dmg is still active https://secure-appldnld.apple.com/i...-B085-11E8-B6AB-C1D03409AD2A/iTunes12.6.5.dmg

AppleScript that extracts iTunes.app from the dmg, modifies Info.plist with 13.9.9 instead of 12.6.5.3 so that the app will be allowed to start, copies the app into Applications and starts the app.

Code: 
set theDMG to choose file with prompt "Please select iTunes dmg file:" of type {"dmg"}
do shell script "hdiutil mount " & quoted form of POSIX path of theDMG
do shell script "pkgutil --expand /Volumes/iTunes/Install\\ iTunes.pkg ~/tmp"
do shell script "hdiutil unmount /Volumes/iTunes/"
do shell script "cd ~/tmp/iTunesX.pkg; cat Payload | gunzip -dc |cpio -i; ditto ~/tmp/iTunesX.pkg/Applications/iTunes.app ~/tmp/iTunes.app;"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleGetInfoString -string 'iTunes 13.9.9' ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleShortVersionString -string 13.9.9 ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleVersion -string 13.9.9 ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "touch ~/tmp/iTunes.app"
do shell script "ditto ~/tmp/iTunes.app /Applications/iTunes.app"
do shell script "rm -r ~/tmp"
do shell script "open /Applications/iTunes.app"

I would suggest opening Preferences – Restrictions, disabling iTunes Store and restarting the app.

The same script can be used for other versions of iTunes, I’ve tested it on 12.7.5.9 and 12.8.3.1.
Links from Apple for the dmg files https://www.theiphonewiki.com/wiki/ITunes

View attachment 2041853

Merry Christmas! :)
Click to expand...
12.8.3.1. Still works with M2 computers and Ventura latest, thanks!💗
The only caveat is the search field is covered by itself
Screenshot .jpg

but it works for playing music the way I like it, when I want to have my titles or artist in alphabetical order with just one click..
 
  • Like
Reactions: bogdanw
eicca said:
Can it manage music on old iPods like the 2005 Mini?
Click to expand...
I just realized that I cannot connect my iPod to the Mac Studio ..Firewire 400 to usb is not working because its batteries are lasting only few minutes..incredible but it's still working on that sense .

Updated : I was able to connect it via usb . iTunes is not showing it, but finder does
It's stuck on loading loading

Screenshot ipod.jpg
 
katbel said:
I just realized that I cannot connect my iPod to the Mac Studio ..Firewire 400 to usb is not working because its batteries are lasting only few minutes..incredible but it's still working on that sense .

Updated : I was able to connect it via usb . iTunes is not showing it, but finder does
It's stuck on loading loading

View attachment 2346002
Click to expand...
You can still manage the music on it with Finder though?

My biggest fear with upgrading my Mac is losing my ability to manage my old iPods.
 
eicca said:
You can still manage the music on it with Finder though?

My biggest fear with upgrading my Mac is losing my ability to manage my old iPods.
Click to expand...
To answer your first question : I don't know because it spins forever and I cannot wait that much not having enough battery left.

I was afraid I could get to that point when I still had my old computer and filled the iPod with all my music, at least all what I could copy till it was full. Did you upgrade it already ?
 
I used iTunes via the app Retroactive for a while on my Intel Mac. But the store no longer works, as you point out. And that was a critical thing for me, because the TV App is horrible for managing devices. Plus, it downloads movies as movpkg files, which is not standalone, like an MP4 is. If you try and move a movpkg file to a different location, other than the default download location, the file won't play. It's useless for those with video collections stored on an external drive.

Windows iTunes still downloads MP4s, but some movie downloads are broken now, producing error 8266 when you try and download. Apple said htey are aware of it, but do not promise a fix.

Apple has pretty much ruined standalone video for people, they want to force you to use iCloud for everything.
 
  • Like
Reactions: katbel and AdamBuker
eicca said:
You can still manage the music on it with Finder though?

My biggest fear with upgrading my Mac is losing my ability to manage my old iPods.
Click to expand...
I was able to copy my music to the iPod with iTunes on Ventura, once I charged my iPod long enough.
Music doesn't work because the iPod mounts on the Finder/desktop as an external disk and Music says 'it's open on another window'
Finder doesn't work : sees my iPod but the wheel is spinning and nothing happens
 
Hey everyone,

Long time reader but created an account to write this post which is an indication of my frustration.
I've been a DJ and obsessed music collector for 20 years, and had always used iTunes to organise and play my extensive collection which consists of tens of thousands of local files.

What's happened to the Music app has been a disaster for me. I've also been a loyal Apple tragic that whole time, and this issue is the first time I've been genuinely disappointed with Apple. The brand was built on the iPod and iTunes, and to see them completely forget about those OG users and true music lovers for the sake of profit is devastating. Very un-Apple like... user experience used to be at the centre of what they do.

Anyway, rant aside I have searched long and wide for an iTunes replacement program and haven't found anything that has come close to living up to the promise (e.g. VOX) which lead me to discover Retroactive. I installed it last week and downloaded iTunes 12.8.3 via the Retroactive app. The joy when iTunes actually started working (albeit a little glitchy) was overwhelming! It was nostalgia overload, I had forgotten just how much I have missed it.

However when I reenabled SIP after the install, iTunes stopped working. When I try and open it I get an error message that says "iTunes quit unexpectedly". I did some googling about SIP and decided I don't feel comfortable leaving SIP permanently disabled, it seems like too much of a security risk to me. So I'm back to square one.

What I'd love to know is if there is any way of installing old iTunes programs (using retroactive or otherwise) without having to leave SIP permanently disabled?

I'm running Apple M1 Max with Sonoma 14.3.1.

Literally the only reason I want iTunes is to be able to play and manage my local files and create old school playlists. I don't care about the store or any other functionality, I can even live without iPod / iPhone syncing. Perhaps an older version of iTunes would work I'm not sure.

If anyone knows of another program that is actually an iTunes clone that would be great too.

Any help would be much appreciated 🙏🏼

Thanks so much

AB
 
  • Like
Reactions: Passport-, rmadsen3 and katbel
I’ve just tested iTunes 12.8.3.1 installed with the script from the first post and it is working on MBA M1 Sonoma 14.3.1 with SIP enabled.

Alternatives to iTunes:
Aural player - An audio player for macOS, inspired by Winamp
https://github.com/kartik-venugopal/aural-player

Clementine https://www.clementine-player.org/

Phonix - Free macOS music player https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/phonix-free-macos-music-player-10-13-13-0.1985426/

and more on "Alternative to iTunes/Music for Offline Music" https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/alternative-to-itunes-music-for-offline-music.2280883/
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chuckeee
katbel said:
Another one is Swinsian. http://www.swinsian.com
It looks a lot like iTunes but works 🙂
Click to expand...
You are a lifesaver... thank you so much. So far this looks perfect!

The music management functionality of iTunes was a huge part of why it was so great. I still hope (probably in vain) that Apple come to their senses and remember their professional audio users but until then, Swinsian will do 🙏🏼
 
  • Like
Reactions: katbel
bogdanw said:
I’ve just tested iTunes 12.8.3.1 installed with the script from the first post and it is working on MBA M1 Sonoma 14.3.1 with SIP enabled.

Alternatives to iTunes:
Aural player - An audio player for macOS, inspired by Winamp
https://github.com/kartik-venugopal/aural-player

Clementine https://www.clementine-player.org/

Phonix - Free macOS music player https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/phonix-free-macos-music-player-10-13-13-0.1985426/

and more on "Alternative to iTunes/Music for Offline Music" https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/alternative-to-itunes-music-for-offline-music.2280883/
Click to expand...
katbel said:
Another one is Swinsian. http://www.swinsian.com
It looks a lot like iTunes but works 🙂
Click to expand...
Can you manage music, and Audible audiobooks, on an iPod with these iTunes alternatives?

I installed iTunes onto my 2019 iMac (running Monterey 12.7.3) with Retroactive. It plays my music library, but won't let me sign into my iCloud account, nor will it let me sync my Audible audiobooks -- when I connect my 7th gen iPod Nano, it deletes all the audiobooks stored on it. I believe the latter is a DRM issue, since the same thing happens with Books. Thus I can only manage my iPod using my 2014 MBP running iTunes under High Sierra (and I've recently run into issues theere).
 
ab_ said:
You are a lifesaver... thank you so much. So far this looks perfect!

The music management functionality of iTunes was a huge part of why it was so great. I still hope (probably in vain) that Apple come to their senses and remember their professional audio users but until then, Swinsian will do 🙏🏼
Click to expand...
If you want full iTunes functionality, another thing to consider would be to purchase an old Mac that can run Mojave, which would allow you to use iTunes natively (that's what I'm doing with my 2014 MBP, though i'm using High Sierra).

Alternatively, Apple still supports iTunes on Windows 10 & 11 (the last stable release was Dec. 2023). I don't know how the functionality compares with the Mac version but, if it's close enough, it might be worth getting an inexpensive PC just for iTunes, if you need it for your professional use.
 
theorist9 said:
Alternatively, Apple still supports iTunes on Windows 10 & 11 (the last stable release was Dec. 2023). I don't know how the functionality compares with the Mac version but, if it's close enough, it might be worth getting an inexpensive PC just for iTunes, if you need it for your professional use.
Click to expand...

You can run the Windows version of iTunes with CrossOver or in a virtual machine.

iTunes Download the latest version for Windows https://www.apple.com/itunes/
iTunes for Windows now (64-bit) https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/win64
iTunes for Windows now (32-bit) https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/win32
Previous iTunes for Windows versions https://www.theiphonewiki.com/wiki/ITunes#Windows_Versions

CrossOver https://www.codeweavers.com/crossover/download

Free virtual machine software
- for Intel Macs
VirtualBox https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Windows 10 ISO https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10ISO
Windows 11 ISO https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

- for Apple Silicon Macs
UTM https://github.com/utmapp/UTM
CrystalFetch ISO Downloader
https://apps.apple.com/app/id6454431289
https://github.com/TuringSoftware/CrystalFetch
 
  • Like
Reactions: katbel
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back