If you've decided that you really don't like Apple's iTunes 11 software, and would much rather go back to Apple iTunes 10 it is possible (albeit a bit complicated). This step-by-step guide to downgrading iTunes 11 to iTunes 10 has everything you need to know.
This article is for Mac OS X users only, PC-users should take a look at How to go back to iTunes 10 in Windows.
Note: Please backup Mac OS X first. This is a fairly complex procedure and alters a lot of Mac OS X files.
The process of taking iTunes 11 to iTunes 10 isn't as simple as you'd imagine. iTunes is baked pretty deep into Mac OS X, and you can't just re-install the old version. You have to remove iTunes 11 completely and do a fresh re-install using a custom process.
Step 1: Download iTunes 10.7, Pacifist and App Zapper
There are two programs you'll need to download for this installation and the original file.
Download iTunes 10.7 DMG
The first thing you need to do is to get hold of a copy of iTunes 10.7. Apple still has iTunes 10.7 available for download from Apple Support. Click here to access iTunes 10.7 (and click on the blue download button). If Apple removes this file then please let us know (Twitter: @macworlduk).
Download Pacifist
Pacifist is a Shareware program that is used to inspect DMG files. It can also be used to do a custom installation, which can replace all files (which is what we will be using it for). Click here to download Pacifist for Mac OS X.
Download App Zapper
App Zapper is a paid-for application that wipes a program and any associated files. We will use this to remove iTunes 11. Click here to download App Zapper for Mac OS X.
Step 2: Back up The iTunes Media Folder
We're assuming that you want to keep your iTunes Media (music, videos, and so on). There are two options here:
Time Machine. Oh you backed up your computer using Time Machine (or another backup program). Well done, have a gold star. You can use this to return the iTunes folder to a previous state (the one where it is was working with iTunes 10).
Manual backup. If you don't have a back-up then you'll need to move your iTunes Media files and re-insert them into iTunes (you may lose some iTunes Library information, album artwork, and suchlike).
Locate the Music > iTunes > iTunes Media folder and Control-drag it to another location on your computer. This will copy the whole folder.
Note: If you don't have enough space on your hard drive to duplicate the iTunes Media folder then you can just move the Media Folder to the desktop just before deleting the iTunes Folder in Step 4.
Step 3: Remove iTunes 11
The easiest way to uninstall an App with all its associated files is to use the program App Zapper (www.appzapper.com).
App Zapper protects Apple products by default, so choose App Zapper > Preferences and untick the checkbox next to 'Keep Apple applications safe'.
Close iTunes and open the Applications folder. Now drag the iTunes 11 icon to App Zapper and click Zap. You will need to enter your password. App Zapper will show you all the files it is going to remove.
Note: The App Zapper application demonstration allows you five free 'App Zaps' so it'll probably be okay for this procedure, but it's a great program and we advise Mac tinkerers to purchase a copy.
Step 4: Delete the iTunes folder
Open a New Finder window and click Music in the sidebar (or Choose Go > Go To Folder in the Mac OS X Menu and enter '~/Music' and click OK). If you made a backup of your iTunes Media folder in Step 2 then drag the whole iTunes folder to the Trash. (If you don't have space to backup iTunes Media then drag the iTunes Media folder to the Desktop then movie iTunes to the Trash).
Step 5: Install iTunes 10.7
Open Pacifist and drag the iTunes 10.7 DMG file to the main Pacifist Application Window. Now click the Install icon in the Menu bar. Check the Use Administrator Privileges box and click Install. Now enter your administrator password and click OK.
As Pacifist installs the application it will ask you if you want to overwrite any current files spread around Mac OS X. Click Replace to all dialog boxes. There are many dialog boxes, so tick the check box marked 'Don't ask again for this installation' and click Replace on all dialog boxes that Pacifist brings up.
This performs a more thorough installation of iTunes 10.7 that replaces all the files that iTunes 11 has scattered around Mac OS X.
Note: If you do not use Pacifist to install iTunes 10.7 then you will get an error message each time you try to launch iTunes.
Step 6: Restore the iTunes Media
Congratulations you now (hopefully) have a working copy of iTunes 10.7 running on your Mac. You'll want to get your music back though. There are two ways to do this:
Use your Time Machine Backup. Now you need to replace the iTunes folder in your User folder with the original. If you have a Time Machine backup you can replace the whole iTunes folder with the one used at an earlier point in time (ideally the first available time before you upgraded to iTunes 11).
Drag and drop music. First go to iTunes > Preferences and click Advanced. Ensure that there is a checkbox next to 'Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to the Library' Now choose File > Add To Library and choose the iTunes Media folder, and click Open. (Or just drag the iTunes Media folder to the iTunes sidebar.)
Step 6: Use iTunes 10.7
That's it. You should now be able to run and use iTunes 10.7 as before. Igore Software Update when it asks you to install iTunes 11 and carry on enjoying your software, you old-fashioned Luddite.
In the meantime perhaps you could read our iTunes 11 review and iTunes 11 Guide to tips, tricks, and secrets to see what you're missing out on.
Comments
Lisa said: Oh my goodness thank you so much for this
Lalala said: This was so useful Thanks
Tim-bridges said: oh just to possibly clarify I dont have a Time Machine back-up either
Tim-bridges said: Hi I have a question about step two my itunes library runs from an external HD do I still need to back it all up Also what about playlists can you back those up in anyway Thanks in advance
No said: It would be useful to mention how to keep playlists as well as to how to proceed for people who dont use the stupid option of having iTunes organizedupe your music library My music is not in the iTunes folder so theres no need to copy it but Id like to know how to get the playlist with all the music preloaded so I dont have to go through the long and tedious process again
Free Meow said: Oh no I mean Mark Sorry bout the typo Best from Canada D
Free Meow said: Oh thank you SOOOO much You literally saved me all my music playlists everything was gone after upgrading to 1101 and I was VERY angry about that and apples ignorance not good apple really not good But you Marc are my hero Clear and easy instructions - great help Thanks again
Chewy Chester said: will doing this manually delete my playlists i have alot of music and my playlists are essential for fitting the stuff i listen to on my ipod
KT said: I installed iTunes 11 and I could no longer access my iTunes library and music on my WD MyBook Live NAS Apple should just change their name to Also Microsoft if they Are going to deliberately break existing functionality and then try and charge me 25 a year for an iCLoud account to listen to my own music I will never trust another Apple upgrade and running a full backup before upgrading will now be standard for me as it is on my MS WIndowsThank you very much for clear concise and accurate instructions to downgrade my iTunes 11 install It took me less than 30 minutes including downloading the 3rd party utilities to get iTunes 107 running again
PhilthyM said: Thanks you so much iTunes 11 is one of the most frustrating bits of Apple software since the pathetic Airport Utility upgrade
Albe Sure said: If youre STILL having difficulties completely removing iTunes 11 and reverting back to iTunes 107 then check this outhttpsdiscussionsapplecomKind regards-AS
NReding said: This was a big help Apple not only neglected to carry over Genius to iTunes 11 but it is horribly slow for large music librariesFor those already using an external drive to store media One tip for those going to go through this processbefore deleting the MusicgtiTunes folder copy the itl file with the newest date out of the MusicgtiTunesgtPrevious iTunes Library folder Put it on your desktop or somewhere easily accessibleAfter the install of 107 is complete Boot iTunes then shut it down I believe this initiates the creation of a new iTunes Libraryitl file With iTunes still shut down go to MusicgtiTunes and delete the current iTunes Libraryitl file Copy and paste the itl from desktop and rename to iTunes Libraryitl At this point you can reboot iTunes and it should have all of your previous music added before the switch to iTunes 11For any music added after the switch to iTunes 11 you will have to add it the old fashioned way
Bjorkul said: Downgrade succesful Thanks a lot
Matteo Armada said: THANK-YOU THANK-YOU
Mick said: Thank you so much This worked PERFECTLY
Leon said: Will this delete all of my plays Because I hold great pride in my play count in iTunes
Tyler Allen said: Easier MethodQuit iTunesNavigate to Applications and locate iTunes appSelect iTunes and hit Commandi to Get Info on the applicationClick on the Arrow next to Sharing amp Permissions to reveal the access panelClick on the lock icon and authenticate with your A PWUnder Privilege set both instances of everyone to Read amp WriteLaunch the Terminal located in ApplicationsUtilitiesType the following commands to kill iTuneskillall iTunesNow kill the Helper processkillall iTunes HelperNow to delete the actual application use this commandsudo rm -rf ApplicationsiTunesappNow go to itunes media folder a rename iTunes librarytil to libraryOLDYou should see a folder called Previous iTunes Librariesinside is your library pre-upgrade Copy Paste RenameIf your an iphone user you will have to restore phone before sync
chap said: is there any way to get them back
chap said: I did this and it deleted all my playlistsand my purchased folder
Tyler Allen said: I already started this process I like itunes 11 a lot But NO ARTIST GRID VIEW Sorry apple your artist interface is complete garbage