Computers, Laptops & Tablets Apple Everything You Need to Know About Using iTunes and the iTunes Store by Sam Costello Writer Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. our editorial process Facebook Twitter Sam Costello Updated on May 05, 2020 Tweet Share Email Apple Macs iPad ITunes is a complex and powerful media tool, which means there's a lot to know about it. Learn the ins and outs of using iTunes and the iTunes Store here. The information in this article applies specifically to iTunes 12, which was released in late 2014, although many of the features exist in similar form in earlier versions of iTunes. S3studio/Getty Images ITunes Basics These are the essentials you need for a complete foundation of iTunes features and functions. Whether you use a Mac or Windows PC, you need to know how to install iTunes, create an account and Apple ID, authorize computers, learn what files iTunes can use, and understand the importance of deauthorizing a computer. Install iTunes on MacInstall iTunes on WindowsCreating an iTunes AccountAuthorizing ComputersHow to Deauthorize iTunes on old or dead computers/devicesUsing iTunes Gift CardsFile Compatibility guide AACs, MP3s, and CDs Besides working with your iPod or iPhone, iTunes offers a powerful way to manage your music library. Learn how to add songs to your library from CDs, how to burn your own CDs, and other hot issues in digital music. You'll also discover the difference between AAC and MP3 music files. How to Copy CDs to iPod and iTunesBurning CDs using iTunesAdding Folders of Music to iTunesChanging iTunes CD Import SettingsHow do I Convert iTunes to MP3?AAC vs. MP3, A sound-quality testAAC vs. MP3: Which to choose for Ripping CDsHow to Categorize and Edit Song Information Playlists, Sharing, and iTunes Genius Part of the fun of iTunes is creating playlists, sharing music with friends and family, and discovering new music with iTunes Genius. You may be unaware that your family can share music between members, for example, or that iTunes can offer suggestions of music you may like based on your tastes. You can even have iTunes build playlists for you automatically. Creating iTunes PlaylistsCreating Smart Playlists in iTunesUsing Up Next in iTunesAlways Skip or Remove Songs when shuffling in iTunesHow many times can I Burn iTunes Playlists?How and why to Rate Songs in iTunesIs shuffle mode in iTunes Truly Random?How to use iTunes Home SharingHow to set Up iTunes GeniusCreating Playlists with iTunes GeniusUsing iTunes Genius to Discover New MusicHow to Turn Off iTunes Genius and its sidebarHow to turn on iTunes Library SharingUsing Sound Check with iTunes Backing Up and Transferring iTunes Transferring an iTunes library to a new computer or restoring a library from a backup after a crash can be complicated. When iPods and iPhones are involved, it's worse. Do you need special software for this? Can you give away your music on an iPod? These articles sort out some of the confusion for you and help you figure out what to do. How do I transfer my iTunes music to a New Computer?How to back up iTunes to an External HDHow to Restore iTunes from backup on an external hard driveHow to Merge iTunes Library from many PCs to oneTop programs to Transfer iPod to computerRecover iTunes after a hard drive crash using iPhoneCan I Give Away an iPod and let the recipient have the music? Using iTunes With iPod, iPad, and iPhone The basics of using iTunes to manage an iPod, iPhone, or iPad get you listening to your music on these devices. but advanced features and tricks can make life easier and more fun. How to Sync iPhone and iTunesHow to Back up an iPadManaging Multiple Devices on one computer App Store As anyone with an iOS device knows, the App Store is the thing that makes the platform truly versatile and exciting. While app reviews are one part of using the App Store, there's more to it than that. Learn the basics of installing apps, the costs of downloading apps, and whether you can use those apps across multiple devices — or do you have to buy the app for each device. Apple removed apps from iTunes with the 12.7 version. These articles about the App Store apply to pre-12.7 iTunes. Getting and Installing Programs from the iPhone App StoreHow to Sync Apps to the iPod touchHow to Remove iPhone AppsCan I Get iPhone Apps Without iTunes?Do I have to Buy an iPhone App for each compatible device?Can iPhone Apps Be Synced to Multiple iPhones and iPod touches?Can I Redownload Apps purchased from the App Store? iCloud, Apple Music, and iTunes Match ITunes has become more integrated with the internet, making it much more powerful and intelligent. Three of the major features that enabled this are iCloud, Apple Music, and iTunes Match. Learn all about these features and how to use them. iCloud Frequently Asked QuestionsDo you need Apple Music if you have iTunes Match?What is iTunes Match?How to Sign up for Apple MusicHow to Set Up and Use iTunes MatchEnabling Automatic Downloads for iCloud on iOS and iTunesFree music sources for iTunes iTunes Store and Other Digital Music Stores While iTunes may be the first name that springs to mind when you think about buying music downloads, it's far from the only online music store that works with the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Streaming music services like Spotify and Pandora offer different ways to access and discover new music. And iTunes Radio is another option for enjoying music. Top iPod-friendly Music Download ServicesBest free iPhone Music AppsUsing iTunes Radio in iTunesBuying Songs from the iTunes StoreHow can I Get Free Music for iTunes? iTunes for Parents There are few gadgets as popular with today's pre-teens, teens, and young adults as the iPhone. Some parents may have concerns about what their kids can access with these devices, but there are tools that can help you manage what they have access to. How to set up an iPhone or iPod touch for KidsUsing iTunes Parental ControlsHow to set up an iTunes Store AllowanceTips to avoid iPod and iPhone related Hearing Loss Miscellaneous iTunes Issues What does it mean to jailbreak your iPhone, and will that affect iTunes? What can you do about duplicate songs in iTunes? Can you change the album art for music? Here are topics that don't fit the categories above, but offer useful information to round out your knowledge of iTunes. All about iPhone JailbreaksCan you use iTunes with other MP3 Players?Can I Create an iTunes Account with a gift card?Adding album and CD Cover Art to iTunesHow to Download 1080p HD Movies from iTunesDeleting iTunes DuplicatesHow to use iTunes on an External Hard Drive iTunes Troubleshooting and Help Because iTunes is such a complex and powerful program, there's a lot to understand about what can go wrong and how. Finding how to fix a problem you have can sometimes be a challenge. If a song you purchased didn't download, that can be frustrating. This section helps you find solutions. Fixing the iTunes Exclamation PointWhy is there a delay in iTunes store Billing?Can I Redownload an iTunes store purchase?When I Import a CD to iTunes, the songs have no names. Why?Paid for iTunes store item, but Download Never HappenedGetting iTunes support for purchases by Reporting a ProblemTips on Recovering iTunes after a hard drive crash or theft Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! 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