Mac Tutorials
How to Manage Your Apple Devices without iTunes on MacOS Catalina
Apple has recast iTunes into three separate apps with the introduction of MacOS Catalina: Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. But this brings up questions: How can you back up or update your iPhone or iPad on your computer? How can you restore your iDevice when problems arise? 😕Let me tell you—these tasks are still feasible, but they’ve changed slightly. 💻 Let’s dive into the new process! 🙌
Step 1: Identify the Three new Apple Apps
Instead of iTunes, you now have Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV. Remember, they’re serving as separate entities, not iTunes. 🍎
Step 2: Use Finder for Device Management
All those handy iTunes features for device management? They’ve migrated to the Finder app. It’s your new one-stop-shop for everything you used to do in iTunes. 🔄
Step 3: Connect your iDevice to your computer
As usual, use your device cable to connect your iDevice to your computer. Always use an original cable to guarantee compatibility. Then, wait for the device to start charging. It won’t be long until your device appears under ‘Locations’ in Finder. 🔌
Step 4: Manage your Device through Finder
In Finder, you’ll now be able to see and manage your iPhone. You can sync it, check for updates, restore it, or even backup it. You can also manage your device storage, exactly like you could in iTunes, all within Finder.✨
Step 5: Enjoy the Same Familiar Processes
Despite a shift from iTunes to Finder, the processes remain more or less the same. The command buttons are all familiar; it’s mainly just the interface that’s changed. 🔄👍
Conclusion: 🏁
Understanding how to manage Apple devices without iTunes in macOS Catalina doesn’t have to be a challenge. The familiar processes remain intact, simply transferred over to the Finder app. If you want to uncover more about this, leave a comment below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more tech tips and tricks. 💻👏
FAQ
What is MacOS Catalina?
MacOS Catalina is the 16th major release of MacOS, Apple Inc.’s desktop operating system for Macintosh computers. It was announced at WWDC 2019 and it is the successor to MacOS Mojave.
Can I still use iTunes on MacOS Catalina?
No, in MacOS Catalina, the iTunes app has been replaced by Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV.
How do I manage my Apple devices on MacOS Catalina?
You can manage your Apple devices on MacOS Catalina through the Finder. When you connect your device, it will appear in the Finder sidebar.
How do I backup my iPhone on MacOS Catalina?
You can back up your iPhone on MacOS Catalina via Finder. Once you connect your iPhone, it will appear in the Finder sidebar. Click on the device, then under the ‘General’ tab, click on ‘Back Up Now’.
How do I sync my iPhone with MacOS Catalina?
In MacOS Catalina, syncing with the iPhone is done through the Finder. Once your iPhone is connected, it will appear in the Finder sidebar. Click on your iPhone and select the type of content you want to sync in the button toolbar.
Can I still purchase content without iTunes on MacOS Catalina?
Yes, you can still purchase content. Music, Films and TV series can be purchased through the new Apple Music, Apple TV apps respectively, and audiobooks can be purchased through the Apple Books app.
What happens to my existing iTunes library on MacOS Catalina?
Don’t worry, your existing iTunes library will be automatically moved into the new Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Books apps.
How do I transfer files between my Mac and my iPhone on MacOS Catalina?
You can transfer files between your Mac and your iPhone via the Finder. Connect your iPhone, and it will appear in the Finder sidebar. You can then drag and drop files between your Mac and your iPhone.
Can I manage my iPad in the same way on MacOS Catalina?
Yes, you can manage your iPad in the same way as your iPhone on MacOS Catalina, using the Finder.
How do I update the software on my iPhone in MacOS Catalina?
In MacOS Catalina, you can update the software on your iPhone through the Finder. After connecting the iPhone to your Mac, it will appear in the Finder sidebar. Click the device’s name, then click ‘General’ or ‘Settings’, then click ‘Check for Update’.
What about my iTunes Gift Cards and iTunes credits?
You can still redeem iTunes Gift Cards and continue to use iTunes credits in the new Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Books apps.
How can I restore my iPhone on MacOS Catalina?
In MacOS Catalina, you can restore your iPhone through Finder. Connect your iPhone to your Mac, navigate to the device in Finder, click on ‘Restore iPhone’ and follow the on-screen instructions.
Can I access the iTunes Store on MacOS Catalina?
Yes, you can still access the iTunes Store on MacOS Catalina, but it can now be found as a tab within the Apple Music app.
How do I sync my iPod with MacOS Catalina?
Just like iPhones and iPads, iPods are also synced with MacOS Catalina through the Finder. Once your iPod is connected, it will appear in the Finder sidebar. You can then select the type of content you want to sync.
How do I share content with my family on MacOS Catalina?
The Family Sharing feature allows you to share your content with family members. You can add your family members to your account in System Preferences > Family Sharing.
How does MacOS Catalina handle audiobooks?
In MacOS Catalina, all of your audiobooks will now be available in the Apple Books app, which offers a dedicated tab for your audiobook collection.
How do I manage my iTunes U content on MacOS Catalina?
In MacOS Catalina, iTunes U content is now included in the Apple Podcasts app.
Is it possible to manually manage music and videos on MacOS Catalina?
Yes, this is done through the Finder. Connect your device, click on its name in the Finder sidebar, and select the checkbox called ‘Manually manage music and videos’.
How to downgrade from MacOS Catalina?
Downgrading from MacOS Catalina requires you to backup your Mac, create a bootable USB installer, erase your Mac’s hard drive and reinstall the desired older version of MacOS, and finally restore from Time Machine backup.
Is there any alternative to iTunes on MacOS Catalina?
MacOS Catalina splits iTunes into Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV. You can also manage your devices via Finder. There is no specific iTunes alternative because its functions are split into these several apps.
Do I need to re-download purchased iTunes content in Catalina?
No, all your previously purchased contents will be automatically transferred to the relevant new app – either Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Books.
What are the system requirements for MacOS Catalina?
MacOS Catalina runs on all Macs that support MacOS Mojave, with the exception of 2010–2012 Mac Pro models.
How to access parental controls on MacOS Catalina?
Parental controls can be accessed in System Preferences > Screen Time.
How to find device backups on MacOS Catalina?
Device backups that were previously in iTunes are now in Finder. If you back up your iPhone or iPad, it will show up in the Locations section of your Finder sidebar.
How to create playlists on MacOS Catalina?
You can create playlists in the new Apple Music app just like in iTunes. Just click on the ‘File’ menu, select ‘New’, then select ‘Playlist’.
How do you uninstall MacOS Catalina?
To uninstall MacOS Catalina, you would need to erase your startup disk in macOS Recovery, then reinstall an older version of MacOS. It’s recommended to make a full backup of your Mac before doing this.
Can I watch my iTunes movies on MacOS Catalina?
Yes, all your iTunes movies can be watched in the new Apple TV app.
Is the iTunes Music Store still available on MacOS Catalina?
Yes, the iTunes Music store is still available on MacOS Catalina, it just exists now within the Apple Music app.
Can I listen to my iTunes songs on MacOS Catalina?
Yes, all your iTunes songs can be listened in the new Apple Music app.
What happens to my iTunes playlists on MacOS Catalina?
Your iTunes playlists will be automatically transferred to the new Apple Music app on MacOS Catalina.