reload iTunes 12.6 for mac

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jerry2 Author

Level 1

107 points

reload iTunes 12.6 for mac

don't like 12.7 how can I put 12.6 back

iMac, macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Sep 14, 2017 3:42 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Pete in OKC

Level 1

54 points

Sep 15, 2017 6:54 PM in response to jerry2

I was able to downgrade from 12.7 to 12.6.2 (previous version). If you are using a TimeMachine back up its fairly easy, altho a bit steppy:

1. Locate the iTunes app in your App folder. Use the Get Info command (right click the app or use the CMD-I key combo) to verify it is 12.7.

2. In the Get Info window look at the bottom pane for Sharing & Permissions. To delete the app permissions need to be changed to "Read & Write." To change them (I changed all of them) click on the tiny lock icon in the lower right corner and type your admin password (probably the same as your log in).

3. Close the Get Info window and move iTunes to the trash. Don't delete yet. If it won't move to Trash, double check that all permissions are "Read & Write."

4. Enter TimeMachine and navigate to the Applications folder to find the older version of iTunes. Verify it is version 12.6.2. Look back about two days and you should find it.

5. Restore the old version of iTunes. Don't launch it yet, the new version of the library index file is not compatible with the old iTunes.

6. Navigate to your Music folder and open the iTunes folder. Find the file named iTunes Library.itl and change the extension to "old".

7. Open the "Previous iTunes Libraries" folder and locate the iTunes Library [2017-09-XX date] file that is about 2 days old. Copy the file and paste it up one level to the same location as the iTunes Library.old file. Rename the file you just copied by removing the date so it is now named "iTunes Library.itl".

8. Launch iTunes normally. If all is right with the universe you'll be back to your old version of iTunes.

As long as you didn't delete any folders of music, books, e-books, etc. everything will be where it belongs.

If you don't have a TimeMachine back up, you can download iTunes 12.6 version at Download iTunes 12.6.2

In iTunes preferences, uncheck the box that offers to check for updates. That way you won't be constantly reminded to update to 12.7.

A caveat, I have no idea if iOS11 will work with iTunes 12.6.2 so if you update your iThing you may be stuck with iTunes 12.7.

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Answer 2

jbobo24

Level 1

8 points

Sep 15, 2017 1:14 PM in response to jerry2

Found the way to reload 12.6 here:

Re: Anyone else reverting to the previous version of iTunes? 12.7 is a disaster.

With Airsculpture's response:

1. use appzapper to delete itunes 12.7

2. from the previous libraries folder, copy over the last dated .itl file to where your current one is

3. move the current one for safe keeping somewhere else ( just in case things don`t work)

4. rename the one you copied to the location to be itunes library.itl ( or whatever the new one was )

5. Install 12.6 itunes

6. Open itunes and your`re done.

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Answer 3

Sep 15, 2017 1:23 PM in response to jerry2

Here's the download link (see below).

Download iTunes 12.6.2 for macOS

There's only one problem... The "iTunes library.itl" file which houses your layout, playlists, etc... is now only reading version 12.7. There's 2 ways around this:

OPTION 1:

Throw out iTunes 12.7

Install iTunes 12.6.2

Look inside the "Previous iTunes Libraries" folder

Locate the "iTunes Library 2017-03-28.itl" file dated before you updated to iTunes 12.7.

(Example this one is dated March 28, 2017.)

If you double click that file, it will launch iTunes, but it will launch THIS "itl" instead of the one converted to iTunes 12.7

if that doesn't work...

OPTION 2:

Toss iTunes 12.7

install iTunes 12.6.2

Hold down "OPTION" (for MAC) or "SHIFT" (for PC) during launch of iTunes.

Create a new library

After the new library opens and you see a big blank page (MUSIC)

Go to the iTunes backup where ever you have it - mines on an external drive

Open the iTunes folder

Locate the folder iTunes Media

Take the "iTunes Media" folder

Drop that folder into the empty window of the new iTunes Library you just created

That will reinstall everything from the drive

(The only problem with this is if you have custom PLAYLISTS you'll loose them)

If you want a walk through write me and I'll be happy to walk you through it personally.

But please... take a minute and post to FEEDBACK. We need everyone to post their comments if we hope to have apple put this back. It takes just a few minutes. Here's the link:

Feedback - iTunes - Apple

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Answer 4

Sep 19, 2017 8:26 PM in response to jerry2

I have been inundated with Emails requesting help to get back to iTunes 12.6.2. I don't mind helping really I don't, but to lessen the amount of times I have to send out instructions, I'm just going to outline it here for those of you who want to go back but don't know what to do or how?

Before you do anything, fix this so it doesn't happen again! Check to see if your App Store preferences is set to "auto install updates". If not an hour after we fix this is will reinstall iTunes 12.7.

Here's how to check:

1. Open APPS STORE software on your Mac

2. Open preference in the App Store drop down menu

3. System preferences for the App Store will lunch

4. Turn off auto updates - uncheck everything!!!

5. Close to save changes

Regarding the "iTunes Library.itl" file:

Before you start the actual process of replacing iTunes, swap out your current "iTunes Library.itl" file with the one associated with 12.6.2 - it generated when you upgraded to iTunes 12.7 and placed the old one in the Previous Library folder. That means Its the one with the most current date - probably something like this:

"iTunes Library 2017-09-13.itl"

...as that was the date for most people.

Here’s how to swap it out:

1. Go to your iTunes library folder.

(If you only use one iTunes library then you'd go to the iTunes library folder which is located in

User-> music -> iTunes

...but if your using an external library or you connected and launched other libraries in iTunes 12.7 then we need to do this to all of those as well - but only libraries you opened in iTunes 12.7

2. Double click iTunes folder to open it

3. Click the triangle next to Previous Libraries folder revealing the contents (don’t open it in a new window, we need access to it)

4. Take the current “iTunes Library.itl” file and drag it into the Previous Library folder

5. Don’t change it’s name yet! Keep it Incase you want to go back to iTunes 12.7 - more on this option at the end.

6. Drag the most current date ".itl" file up and out of the Previous library folder

Example: “iTunes Library 2017-09-13.itl”

7. It’s now filing in the correct place with the other metadata files

8. Remove the date portion “2017-09-13” returning it to its correct name: “iTunes Library.itl”

Now you’re ready to replace iTunes.

1. First use this link to go download 12.6.2 it will install the installer in your DOWNLOADS folder.

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1934?locale=en_GB

(For the following I have included screen shots with this post)

2. Go to your APPLICATIONS folder and double click to open it

3. Scroll down and click ONCE to select iTunes

4. Hold down COMMAND + I (Get info).

(PC users CONTROL + i)

5. Click the little lock bottom right corner

6. Enter your computer password

7. Expand the "Sharings & Permissions" section down

8. Click the "+" sign bottom left corner

9. A small window will open at the top.

10. Click and repeat adding each one listed in that small window. You will see them add to the list of authorized users

11. Once they are all there, change each one that says "read only" to "Read & Write" as shown in the attached pic.

SIDE NOTE: iTunes is protected by the OS. In order for us to delete it without using Terminal and having you type in code which I know will freak some of you out, this is how we have to detach it from the OS.

12. Now you can drag iTunes 12.7 to the trash and empty the trash. BYE!!

13. Now go to DOWNLOADS and run the iTunes 12.6.2 installer and take a deep breath.

14. By correcting the "iTunes Library.itl" before we started, iTunes 12.6.2 will just magically launch.

We're done.

"No so bad. Not so good, but not so bad"

- Firesign Theater

SIDE NOTE: I doubt if you did, but if you DID make changes to your library between updating and now, just add those changes by dropping those items back into the open iTunes window after you have launched 12.6.2.

I know this is a pain in the butt but if you do what I have shown you, you will get back to where you were I promise!

I hope this helps guys,

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Answer 5

jerry2 Author

Level 1

107 points

Sep 15, 2017 6:59 PM in response to Pete in OKC

Thanks for help. I tried with time machine but glitch, so download 12.6. It is working I hope. What a disaster, understand wanting to take apps off of iTunes, but not like that. Couldn't they have made an apps program for mac. I use mac as hub for other devices, very effective. Again thanks.

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