How to downgrade iTunes 11 to previous version 10.7

Thanks a bunch for the informative post!

VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE READ

Now that I have your attension...

Yeah, you can't reinstall the previous version because that requires deleting... OS needs it... blah blah blah...

So, if this OS is the problem, get rid of it.

Now, before you call me an idiot, did you get Lion?

Use that same installation application for Lion to intall Lion AGAIN.

Why? This will downgrade all of your Apple applications. Since Lion was released with iTunes 10.7... See where I'm going with this?

PROS: iTunes downgraded, all files saved and unaffected, no more errors with iDevices and account

CONS: 30+ minute wait, downgrades to the firmware from OS X 10.7.5+ to 10.7 (no big deal), iPhoto complications... maybe

i used an app called Pacifist to reinstall the pkg file from the iTunes10.7.dmg. it will replace all system files updated by the itunes 11 install process. everything should be back to normal then. also u need to revert back to the previous iTunes Library.itl file so itunes 10.7 can read it.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=16400819&postcount=6

Bit extreme, but I restored my entire system from Revocery HD. I had to go through usual Little Snitch, Mail.app, and Dropbox imports and alerts, but I connected to the store (asked to authorized, but told I was already authorized, and no problems), and I hooked up my iDevices without any mischief from iTunes/Apple. Obviously, you'll want to backup any important files and such that you might have downloaded or created between now and the backup to restore.

Thank goodness for Pacifist. Rolledback to 10.7 without a hitch. 🙂

Worked for me also, thanks a bunch for that tip.

I found this easier.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=16400819&postcount=6

I would add to the final step. Option Launch (hold down Option key) iTunes 10.7. Then navagate to Music/iTunes/Previous iTunes Libraries and select your last iTunes .itl file.

Ok, a few questions. How do I revert back to a previous iTunes Library.itl file? Does this mean just going into "previous libraries" and switching that one out with the default, or does it have something to do with the format not being right for the different versions, and that there's a need to convert?

Also, before I use Pacifist, do I need to uninstall iTunes 11 with AppZapper, or can I just install 10.7 right over iTunes 11?

Thanks guys, iTunes 11 is just so horrible now, it's forcing me to take extreme measures I haven't needed to take before. I can't add Movies and TV shows to my library without being forced to copy them anymore, amongst other things...

Limnos wrote:

=Downgrading from iTunes 11 to iTunes 10.7=

You may be able to go back with Time Machine but this may require a complete restore of your computer (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4554293?answerId=20441404022#20441404022). Alternatively:

Back up your computer first, in case the unexpected happens.

Get iTunes 10.7. Apple does not keep many old version up on its web site. I always install iTunes by downloading the installer and then keep it on my archive drive so I can have access to old versions. This one is no longer openly linked on Apple's site:

iTunes 10.7 for OS X http://appldnld.apple.com/iTunes10/041-7195.20120912.d3uzQ/iTunes10.7.dmg

Replace the iTunes 11 application with iTunes 10.7. Lion (OSX 10.7) and newer systems have iTunes integrated into the operating system and deleting is a bit more involved. Check this reference on how to do this:

Delete iTunes in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion - http://osxdaily.com/2011/09/13/delete-itunes-in-mac-os-x-10-7-lion/

Now you will have to rescue your old iTunes library from your iTunes > Previous Libraries folder and rename it "iTunes Library.itl" (replacing the existing one in the iTunes folder) because a newer version of iTunes irreversibly updates your library file. Note, this will revert your library to version at the time of the upgrade and you will have to update any changes made since. See:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4544824?answerId=20401436022#20401436022 - turingtest2 11/2012 post on rebuilding empty/corrupt library from previous iTunes library file after upgrade/crash.

iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451

Other issues:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4553961?answerId=20432309022#20432309022 - solution to mobile devices saying they need to be restored after downgrading

This worked for me and I have regular iTunes back again! Many thanks for the (free!) method.

On launching the app now an error message pops up but just close it and all is well. Since I more or less leave the app on always once it's launched that really isn't a problem. Bloody terrifying messing with this stuff for a novice user like me though.

Honestly I'm baffled why they have so royally screwed iTunes today. I actually liked the new option to line up what track plays next - I've really REALLY wanted that feature for so long - but I've had to abandon it because the rest of the update is so bloody inept. Very disappointed in Apple today. :-(

BTW, after reinstalling 10.7 using Pacifist and restoring my older 'iTunes Library.itl' file iTunes warned me that it couldn't find about 40 files when i did a iPhone sync. I found the 'List MIAs' applscript from Doug's Applescripts site to be helpful in producing a list of tracks in iTunes for which iTunes could not locate the file. Took me a while but with various backups I was able to reconnect the files with the library tracks. What a pain.

I've created a How To on my blog showing how to downgrade from iTunes 11 to iTunes 10.7. It also includes a link to download a copy of iTunes 10.7 if you need it.

http://www.emacconsulting.com/apple/itunes/downgrade-itunes-11-to-itunes-10-7/

I'll post it here too.

1) Open Terminal and run:

sudo rm -rf /Applications/iTunes.app

This will delete the iTunes 11 application.

2) If your Music Library is in its default place, also in the terminal:

open ~/Library/Music

3) Using Time Machine restore the following files:

• Album Artwork <– Folder
• iTunes Library
• iTunes Library Extras.itdb
• iTunes Library Genius.itdb
• iTunes Library.xml
• iTunes Library.itl
• iTunes Music Library.xml
• Previous iTunes Libraries <– Folder

No need to replace your iTunes Music Folder.You may not need to replace all these files but it can’t hurt.

4) Back in the terminal:

open /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks

Use Time Machine again to restore the following files:

• AirTrafficHost.framework
• CoreFP.framework
• DeviceLink.framework
• iTunesAccess.framework
• MobileDevice.framework

5) Download iTunes 10.7

http://appldnld.apple.com/iTunes10/041-7195.20120912.d3uzQ/iTunes10.7.dmg

6) Install iTunes 10.7.

I rebooted for good measure, but it’s probably not necessary.

You may be prompted the first time you start up iTunes 10.7 for your password. Enter it. You should now be able to do all the things you need, including syncing your iDevices, without the nasty iTunes -42408 error many people have been getting before this method.

Enjoy iTunes 10.7!

The steps in this post worked PERFECTLY for my machine:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=16400819&postcount=6

The only thing I did different was replace the "iTunes Library.itl" with the .itl file before upgrade found in the "Previous iTunes Libraries" folder (after a rename to "iTunes Library.itl".

Other than that was a perfect set of steps.

Mr. Joe,

I am older and only use SL. 10.6.8. I do not like the new itunes and want to convert back. Will this work on SL? I have a TM backup, but do not know where these files are.

• AirTrafficHost.framework
• CoreFP.framework
• DeviceLink.framework
• iTunesAccess.framework
• MobileDevice.framework

I have the 10.7 DMG file.

I am not against erasing my hard drive, I have a Sl family pack, but would like to keep things simple. I can migrate the whole TM over with the igration assistant too, but like I said I like your idea, just need some extra help.

Thanks.

Mark