iTunes 10 in High Sierra

[MacBiter]

I've never launched iTunes 12 in High Sierra, but I have a folder in ~/Music called iTunes 10 which contains my library and all my music, which I used to play iTunes 10 in Mavericks.

Is the following the right way to install iTunes 10 over iTunes 12 in High Sierra?

1. Use AppZapper to remove the iTunes 12 app.

2. Use Pacifist to open my stored iTunes 10.7 dmg and click Install. When Pacifist prompts to replace all the many iTunes files that already exist, click ‘Replace all’.

3. Launch iTunes 10 and point it to my iTunes 10 folder in Music.

 

[Slydude]

That would probably work but it's not necessary. That's probably creating extra work.

It's been a while since I used Mavericks but the following should work. As usual make sure you have a backup. There shouldn't be a problem but you can never have enough backups.

Try the following:
1 Look in Preferences>Advanced in iTunes 10 and make sure that it has identified the correct path to your iTunes library.
2. Install iTunes 12 over iTunes 10.
3. Launch iTunes 12. It should find your library just fine and work immediately. If it doesn't check the preferences to make sure it knows the correct location for your library.

 

[ferrarr]

Sly, OP does not want iTunes 12.

 

[Rod]

Yeah, I got the feeling the OP wanted to keep iTunes 10. I am a bit puzzled though how MacBiter got iTunes 12 while retaining iTunes 10.
Ah, I think I get it, referring to previous posts, MacBiter did you update to High Sierra from Mavericks but somehow saved iTunes 10 from Mavericks?
In which case, why not launch iTunes 12 and try it? It should import your ituneslibrary or do you anticipate a problem with this?
I know PC users have encountered some problems with this but you're on a Mac so...

"iTunes 10 vs 12
iTunes 12 introduced several improvements over iTunes 10, including a redesigned user interface inspired by the Yosemite style, which enhanced the visual experience with a flatter design and a pink icon replacing the blue one from iTunes 10. Additionally, iTunes 12 allowed users to switch media types more easily by showing or hiding icons for music, movies, podcasts, and TV shows, and it featured a new mini player with integrated controls on the progress bar. The main function menu was relocated to the upper-left corner, and the iTunes Store was separated from the main menu for easier navigation. Furthermore, iTunes 12 included a "Recently Added" feature to help users quickly find new content. These changes aimed to improve usability and performance compared to iTunes 10.

In terms of functionality, iTunes 12 continued to support the management of media content, creation of playlists, synchronization with handheld devices like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, and purchasing from the iTunes Store. However, it also introduced new features such as improved support for newer iOS devices and enhanced security measures."

Is this the issue (above)?

 

[Slydude]

Sly, OP does not want iTunes 12.

I just re-read the post and you are correct.

I'm going to go sit in the corner for a bit now. As soon as I figure out where I put the Dunce cap.

 

[Rod]

MacBiter, just personally I'd update but I'm guessing you think there will be problems, playlists, titles, artwork and the like, you may well be right, but, if iTunes 10 works as expected on High Sierra why not just isolate iTunes 12 and keep it rather than going to the trouble of replacing it, or am I missing something?

 

[ferrarr]

Is this the issue (above)?

No, @MacBiter has specific needs for their tunes, they believe everything after iTunes 10 to be inadequate.

 

[MacBiter]

Ah, I think I get it, referring to previous posts, MacBiter did you update to High Sierra from Mavericks but somehow saved iTunes 10 from Mavericks?

Almost correct - yes I'm now on High Sierra but I have the iTunes 10.7 dmg on an external disk.

In which case, why not launch iTunes 12 and try it? It should import your ituneslibrary or do you anticipate a problem with this?
I know PC users have encountered some problems with this but you're on a Mac so...

Actually I only use iTunes for music, nothing else. iTunes 10 allows the following:

1. can still use most of the Doug Scripts I have
2. Being able to open multiple playlist windows - I have 3 open at all times
3. Having the sidebar (with playlists) visible at all times
4. The ‘visualiser’!!
I believe iTunes 12 doesn't have these features? By the way, ‘Recently Added’ has ALWAYS been in iTunes! Not sure why they think iTunes 12 introduced it?

 

[MacBiter]

if iTunes 10 works as expected on High Sierra why not just isolate iTunes 12 and keep it rather than going to the trouble of replacing it, or am I missing something?

I'd happily do that, but iTunes is baked quite deep in the system so you can only have one of it. Ironic really, because yesterday I discovered I could have both iPhoto and Photos (though they have to use separate libraries).

 

[MacBiter]

Footnote:

Assuming I go ahead and successfully install iTunes 10.7, one thing I do know is that I will not be able to use the iTunes Store. So - as I only buy new music rarely these days - I'll keep my High Sierra Parallels VM which has iTunes 12, and use it on those rare occasions I need the Store.

 

[MacBiter]

Unfortunately, it hasn't been possible. Neither AppZapper, nor ‘sudo rm –rf iTunes.app’ have worked to remove iTunes 12, so basically I'm stuck at Square One .

 

[Rod]

I'd happily do that, but iTunes is baked quite deep in the system so you can only have one of it. Ironic really, because yesterday I discovered I could have both iPhoto and Photos (though they have to use separate libraries).

Yes, the connection to iTunes store is the catch. I think you've covered all your options. It's apparent, although I'd never tried it, that you can't have High Sierra without iTunes 12. Short of running a bare bones Mavericks on a VM complete with iTunes 10. I'm not sure how syncing would work though.

 

[MacBiter]

Yes, the connection to iTunes store is the catch. I think you've covered all your options. It's apparent, although I'd never tried it, that you can't have High Sierra without iTunes 12. Short of running a bare bones Mavericks on a VM complete with iTunes 10. I'm not sure how syncing would work though.

I've now bitten the bullet and converted my iTunes library to iTunes 12 … which is crap by the way! However, before doing that I copied the iTunes 10 folder to an external disk so I will still be able to run iTunes 10 with Hear via a VM.

 

[Rod]

Good solution, I don't think you'll get better than that and you can still run Hear. I seem to remember iTunes 12 caused a lot of complaints and questions back then. Around that time I swapped to Spotify because I didn't like the iTunes subscription I had. Never went back, I'm still A Spotify subscriber which costs the same as Music and contains all my tracks from Music (iTunes).


Spotify has been working on a high-definition music feature known as Spotify HiFi, which promises to deliver CD-quality, lossless audio to its users. Initially announced in February 2021, the feature was expected to roll out later that year but has faced delays due to licensing negotiations and technical considerations. As of early 2025, Spotify HiFi is expected to launch as a "Music Pro" add-on, offering up to 24-bit/44.1kHz lossless playback, potentially including additional features like headphone optimization and advanced mixing tools.

To enhance your Spotify sound quality, you can enable the high-quality streaming option available in the Spotify Premium settings, which provides 320 kbps streaming, the highest quality compressed streaming audio available.

Additionally, Spotify HiFi is anticipated to be integrated seamlessly into the existing Spotify app, ensuring a consistent user experience.9

As of June 2025, Spotify HiFi remains an upcoming feature, with the latest updates suggesting a potential release later in the year

 

[MacBiter]

.Good thoughts - I do use Spotify (in a browser) but more to audition music than just simply stream it; I'm the old fashioned sort who prefers to buy music to own rather than just stream!

By the way, having bought RogueAmoeba’s SoundSource, I find it’s at least 50% of what Hear delivers. Sadly it doesn't include Hear’s ‘soundstage’ feature which - I don't know how! - manages to make music sound as if the speakers are 3 or 4 feet apart rather than the 12” or so they are on an iMac.