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Rysz

Level 8

(44,391 points)

iTunes 12.6.3 brings back App, Ringtone support

by: Rysz

Last modified: Nov 1, 2017 7:56 AM

3 9759 Last modified Nov 1, 2017 7:56 AM

After releasing iTunes 12.7 earlier this year, Apple made available a version that brings App and Ringtone management support back to iTunes. Although version 12.6.3 is meant primarily for Enterprise users, it can be installed by anyone. Both, Mac and PC installers are available.

Note, that the release was not publicly announced and the app is released without official Apple technical support. At this time, I have not seen any reports of unwanted side effects, or other limitations.

On a Mac, iTunes 12.6.3 will install over iTunes 12.7. Once installed it will not prompt to update to higher versions.

To preserve all your metadata, you do need to have your iTunes .itl file to revert to. It was saved automatically to the Previous iTunes Library folder when you installed iTunes 12.7.

For more information and download links, see this Apple document.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208079

_________________

To ease support of multiple devices Apple also enabled Content Caching in High Sierra. For more information, see this tip:

iTunes 12.7 app management using Content Caching

- Changes in the new iTunes 12.7: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208075

App-Thinning: Why lack of app management in iTunes 12.7 is not all bad news

- Manually manage content on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iTunes - Apple Support

Rysz

Level 8

(44,391 points)

Oct 9, 2017 6:07 PM

I posted this in iTunes for Mac because it is very straightforward to install this version over iTunes 12.7.

It is more complicated to do on Windows. To find out more, follow the link posted by turingtest2 in this discussion:

How do i manage groups of apps if not on itunes

Oct 9, 2017 6:07 PM

Zebulun

Level 5

(6,749 points)

Oct 11, 2017 10:52 AM

When I launch iTunes 12.6.3, I get an error message that file iTunes Library.itl cannot be read as it was created by a newer version of iTunes. The support document doesn't address how to proceed.

Oct 11, 2017 10:52 AM

Rysz

Level 8

(44,391 points)

Oct 11, 2017 2:32 PM

When iTunes 12.7 was installed, a copy of the then current .itl file should have been saved in the Previous Library folder. That’s the file you need for iTunes 12.6.3.

Oct 11, 2017 2:32 PM

Zebulun

Level 5

(6,749 points)

Oct 12, 2017 6:17 AM

Correct. I'm curious how many casual users of the Mac OS and iTunes know how to find the proper .itl file.

In case anyone's reading, from the GO menu in the finder, go to the HOME folder and you'll find your Music folder. Open that and go to iTunes and you'll find a folder named "Previous iTunes Libraries" which contains a host of .itl files.

In my case, I duplicated the last .itl file, renamed the current "iTunes Library.itl" by adding a number and moved it to the desktop, changed the name of the duplicated previous .itl file to "iTunes Library.itl" and moved it out to the iTunes folder, closed all that and launched iTunes which then worked like a charm.

I assume one could just also launch iTunes from the last .itl file in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder but that seemed like a sloppy way to accomplish what I wanted as I left the current .itl file intact in case I needed it for any reason.

Cheers.

Oct 12, 2017 6:17 AM

Rysz

Level 8

(44,391 points)

Oct 31, 2017 12:23 PM

Zebulun wrote:

I'm curious how many casual users of the Mac OS and iTunes know how to find the proper .itl file.

Not getting into that much detail was a conscious decision on my part. I don't necessarily want to encourage people to side-load to iTunes 12.6.3. It's an unsupported release, not meant for everyone. If there are any dire consequences down the road, not everyone will know how to deal with them. Those who know what an .itl file is, will likely be OK.

Oct 31, 2017 12:23 PM

iTunes 12.6.3 brings back App, Ringtone support

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