How do I go back to the previous version of iTunes without losing my music library

Useful info here. Got to agree the new iTunes is awful. Whoever was responsible should be sacked. Only wish I had known how bad it was before I had installed the update. This is a massive downgrade to iTunes and I can't understand what they are thinking.

this is lovely and i'll never be able to pull it off..but the "picture book" version sure is clumsy when u have lots of stuff. i don't even know which version i have, wondering which would be the last with the text grid? in case i decide to try some of the above...

If you look at this forum you will see a method posted at least 20 times already (many by me I must admit, plus many variants). No, Apple does not post the method for reverting. "Backward" is not in Apple's lexicon. Apple doesn't not as a rule post ways for reverting to older versions. In some cases reverting software will openly violate terms of use (see all the requests for reverting iOS6 to iOS5). In other cases it doesn't seem to violate any specific terms but it just isn't part of what is done. It is not made easy. Why make it easy to revert if the idea of going to an older version is totally alien to the innovative and forward-only philosophy? Then too, just as a car manufacturer will not tell you how to work on the brakes of your car nor does Apple openly condone the general user tinkering with their system. The system has also gotten more closed in in the last few versions. It used to be you could just delete the iTunes application, do one or two other minor things. Now you have to mess with components built into the system. That's why you won't get open support on this. Finally, frankly I bet many of them haven't even tried doing it. 🙂

=Downgrading from iTunes 11 to iTunes 10.7=

You may be able to go back with Time Machine but this may involve restoring other items too (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4554293?answerId=20441404022#20441404022). Alternatively:

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

Quit iTunes.

Get iTunes 10.7 from http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1576 or the direct download link at: http://appldnld.apple.com/iTunes10/041-7195.20120912.d3uzQ/iTunes10.7.dmg

Do a few preparatory steps by making sure all iTunes components are not running and cleaning old files. See https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4557266?answerId=20475394022#20475394022. Do steps 3 and 4. Steps 6-8 may be also useful but I don't know if they are essential. Some of the other steps are not necessary, duplicate steps listed later in my post or are perhaps even unhelpful in the process.

Replace the iTunes 11 application with iTunes 10.7. Simply dragging the application to the trash may not work. Lion (OSX 10.7) and newer systems have iTunes integrated into the operating system and deleting is a bit more involved. Two ways to do this are:

1. Use the shareware Pacifist utility (http://www.charlessoft.com/) to install iTunes 10.7 including all associated system files. Details at http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=16400819&postcount=6

2. Check this reference on how to delete the iTunes application itself:

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

After deleting the application there may be other files that need downgrading too. See the note about error -42408 at the end of this post. You may want to tuck these away somewhere safe until you have completed the installation of iTunes 10.7. I have not tested this but ideally if newer versions are not found then the installer will put in the old versions. This may include these files in /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ which apparently get updated by iTunes 11:

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

After doing one of the two procedures above you will have to rescue the most recent old iTunes library from your iTunes > Previous Libraries folder. Rename it "iTunes Library.itl" and replace the existing one in the iTunes folder. A newer version of iTunes irreversibly updates your library file so you have to replace it with the old one or you will get an error message. Note, this will revert your library to the 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

- If you encounter error -42408:

iTunes: Advanced iTunes Store troubleshooting - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3297 > Specific Conditions and Alert Messages: (Mac OS X / Windows) - including specific error codes.

Alternatively, check https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4556384?answerId=20441424022#20441424022 which requires you have a Time Machine backup (though possibly if you remove the newer version of these files old ones may be installed with the iTunes 10.7 installer - untested). A variant of this is at: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4555626?answerId=20448184022#20448184022

- Persistent "Show in iTunes Store" arrows after downgrade - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4567064

Maybe I just "think different" but I never ever do an update without first checking if it does what I want it to do. Then I make a 100% clone backup before installing so I can revert. In this regard I don't think Apple alone is to blame for bringing chaos... 🙂

I'm having the same problem. I can't believe they would release 11.0, without testing the sound quality first! Having said that, here's an idea: Why not have a simple revert button, that will allow you to revert back to the older version? 😎

Indeed, they screwed this one big time !!! How is it possible, it looks like the era of Mac is comming to an end, what were they thinking about, .... do they actually read all the comments here ??

I could be wrong - since I haven't yet done it - but if after you install iTunes 10.7 and before you start it up, you go to Previous iTunes Libraries in your iTunes folder, duplicate the last one from before iTunes 11 (it will be dated late November or very early December, depending on when you updated), rename the copy as iTunes Library.itl, then drop it onto your main iTunes folder and select 'replace', you will restore the old library.

Or am I missing something? If I am, I'd like to know before I try it as well!

I deleted the newer version, then downloaded and installed the older one, but when I try to open it, it reads: "The file “iTunes Library.itl” cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. Would you like to download iTunes now?". Can someone please help me?

You should send feedback via:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

Yes, berry berry disappointed with them. I'm NEVER installing another iTunes update, again.

Sully

So wait, what everyone is saying is that there is currently no way to go back to 10.7 without losing library? Cause 11 is a complete abomination.