Q: itunes crashes mac

Hi xaos29,

If your iTunes application is unresponsive, you should first make a backup of your iTunes library, or ensure your Time Machine has backed up your computer, then uninstall iTunes.  Restart the computer and make sure there are no other issues with the computer (ie login items, etc.) before reinstalling the iTunes application.  The resources below provide other avenues to troubleshoot this issue:

iTunes: May become unresponsive when connecting iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Install any available software updates for your computer.

• OS X: Use Software Update.
   
• Update iTunes to the latest version.  Use Software Update or download iTunes from the Apple website.
   
• If you are working with an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad - Test with automatic syncing disabled.
  ​

                      For OS X: Click the iTunes menu and choose Preferences. Click the Devices tab
                      and place a check next to option to "Prevent iPods, iPhones and iPads from
                      syncing automatically." Click OK.
 

• Test with iTunes plug-ins removed. 
   
  • Quit iTunes
      Mac OS X:  
      
    • ~/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins (The "~" represents your Home folder)
      
    • /Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins
          
     
     
   
  • If any files are in this folder, move them to the Desktop temporarily.
       
   
  • Open iTunes and test to see if the issue is resolved. If so, you may leave these iTunes plug-ins removed. If you wish to re-use these iTunes plug-ins, consult the vendor for the iTunes plug-ins to see if any updates are available.
     
       
• It can be useful to determine if the issue affects a specific computer user account or all accounts
  Create a new user account to test.

• Mac OS X

• From the Apple () menu, choose System Preferences.
• Click Accounts.
• Click the Add (+) button below the list of accounts.
• Choose a type of account from the New Account pop-up menu. Make the new account an administrator.
• Enter a name for the account.
• Click Create Account.
• Click the Apple () menu and then choose Log out.
• When the login screen appears, log in to the new user you just created.
• Open iTunes and determine whether the issue you were experiencing persists in this new user.

• If the issue still occurs in a new user:

• Temporarily disable optional components of your computer to isolate which component may be causing the issue: 
   
  • Mac OS X: Follow this article to start up in Safe Mode. If the issue does not occur in Safe Mode, there may be login items or third party kernel extensions causing the issue.
       
• While security software is usually recommended, in some cases outdated or improperly configured security software may be causing the issue. Follow this article for more information on troubleshooting issues that may be caused by third party security software to determine if this is the case.
  
  ​

If the issue does not occur in a new user:

• Test with an alternate iTunes Library. 
   
  • Log out of the new user and log back into the original user.
   
  • Create a new iTunes library.
   
  • Connect the device to see if the issue still occurs.
   
  • If the issue does not occur with a new blank iTunes library, quit iTunes and switch back to the original library as follows:
     
      Mac OS X: Reopen iTunes while holding down the Option key. When prompted, click Choose Library. Navigate to and select the original iTunes library file. By default, the iTunes Library files are stored in the ~/Music/iTunes/ folder.
       
   
  • Then, rebuild your original iTunes library.

• Last Modified: Jun 6, 2015

Take care,