News

iTunes Brand Demise Continues as Apple Changes Over to ‘apps.apple.com’ URLs

The demise of the venerable iTunes brand continues at Apple, as the Cupertino firm’s iOS and Mac app listings on the web have begun using a URL scheme based on “apps.apple.com” in place of the “itunes.apple.com” scheme.

The move continues Apple’s efforts to move away from iTunes. Earlier this year, the Podcasts web interface received a makeover, moving podcasts to “podcasts.apple.com,” in place of “itunes.apple.com.”

The move of apps to a new URL scheme means the iTunes domain is now only being used for movies and television shows. Those URLs could also change in the near future, but it hasn’t happened as yet.

Apple last week at WWDC 2019 announce they were splitting the venerable iTunes app into separate apps to support Music, Podcasts, and TV. Apple published a support document last week detailing the transition, which is highlighted below

Here’s what to expect

  • Music that you’ve imported or purchased will be in the new Apple Music app.
  • Music playlists and smart playlists that you’ve created in iTunes will be in the new Apple Music app.
  • The iTunes Store will still be available to buy music on Mac, iOS, PC, and Apple TV.
  • iTunes Gift Cards and iTunes credits will be maintained and can be used with the new apps and the App Store.
  • iPhone, iPad, and iPod backup, restore, and syncing will move to Finder.
  • Movies and TV shows that you purchased or rented from iTunes will be in the new Apple TV app.
  • Use the Apple TV app for Mac for future movie and TV purchases or rentals.
  • Podcasts that you subscribed to or added to iTunes will now be in the new Apple Podcasts app.
  • Audiobooks that you purchased from iTunes will now be in the updated Apple Books app.
  • Use the Apple Books app for Mac for future audiobook purchases.
Chris Hauk

Chris is a Senior Editor at Mactrast. He lives somewhere in the deep Southern part of America, and yes, he has to pump in both sunshine and the Internet.