iTunes Store – Music, Apps & More

The iTunes Store is Apple’s vast digital media marketplace, originally launched in 2003. Over the years it has revolutionized how people buy music and other media. According to Apple, the iTunes Store began as “a revolutionary online music store” offering songs for just 99 cents each. Today, it serves as a one-stop shop for music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and more.

Key features of the iTunes Store include:

Music Library: Over 100 million high-quality, DRM-free songs across every genre.

Movies & TV Shows: Extensive catalog of films and series (now accessed via the Apple TV app).

Podcasts & Audio: Direct access to hundreds of thousands of free podcasts and audiobooks.

Apps: Note: app downloads are handled in the App Store (apps were removed from iTunes in 2017).

In short, Apple’s iTunes platform allows you to buy songs, download music, and enjoy entertainment content on any device. As Apple notes, you can “visit the iTunes Store on iOS to buy and download your favorite songs, TV shows, movies, and podcasts,” and your purchases stay with you across devices. The iTunes Store supports both one-time purchases (via Apple ID) and integration with Apple’s newer streaming services, ensuring all your content remains available.

Accessing the iTunes Store

Whether you’re on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC, the iTunes Store is easy to reach. On iOS, a standalone iTunes Store app is included by default. For example, on your iPhone or iPad, open the iTunes Store app to browse content. To buy songs on iTunes, simply navigate to the Music section within the app, find the track or album you want, and tap its price to purchase.

Image: The iTunes Store app on an iPhone, showing a song available for purchase.

Buying a song is straightforward:

1. Open the iTunes Store app on your device.

2. Tap Music at the bottom, and browse or search for the artist or album.

3. Tap the price next to the song or album to initiate the purchase.

4. Sign in with your Apple ID when prompted to complete the transaction.

Once the purchase is confirmed, the song will download to your device. As Apple explains, “after you buy music, you can find it in your library in the Apple Music app”. In other words, all purchased tracks automatically appear in your Apple Music library, even if you later listen on a different device.

On a Mac, you use the Music app (formerly iTunes) to access the iTunes Store. In the Music app’s sidebar, click iTunes Store. You can then browse featured songs or use the search field to find specific tracks. To buy music on Mac, click the price or “Buy” button next to any item. For example, select a song and click its price; then confirm with your Apple ID password to download.

For Windows PCs, Apple provides iTunes for Windows or separate Apple Music and Apple TV apps (from the Microsoft Store). After installing iTunes on PC, open it and choose Account > Sign In to enter your Apple ID and password. Once signed in, you can buy music by navigating to Music > iTunes Store and clicking the price next to a song or album. Apple also notes that you can use your existing Apple Account (from iCloud or other services) to purchase content.

No matter the device, all iTunes Store purchases tie back to your Apple ID. If you don’t already have an Apple ID, you can create one in iTunes. As Apple’s support documentation states, “To buy items in the iTunes Store, you need an Apple ID (or Apple Account). If you don’t have one, you can set one up using iTunes.” Signing in is easy: go to iTunes on your computer, choose Account > Sign In, and enter your Apple ID and password. This account then tracks your purchases and lets you view your purchase history.

Buying Music on the iTunes Store

The core of the iTunes Store has always been music. You can buy individual songs or full albums, often in AAC format for high-quality audio. Apple’s 2003 press release highlights that customers could “purchase and download their favorite songs or complete albums” with one click. Today, a typical song is priced between $0.69 and $1.29 (prices vary by country). By contrast, Apple’s subscription service (Apple Music) offers streaming, but many users still prefer owning tracks outright via iTunes.

After purchasing, you can download the music to multiple devices. On Mac, you can even turn on Automatic Downloads so that any new purchases appear on all your authorized computers and iOS devices. Apple allows up to 10 devices (with up to 5 computers) to use the same account for iTunes purchases.

In fact, Apple clarifies that when you buy media (music, movies, etc.), “you also have the option to permanently download these items to a compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC.” This means once you buy a song, it can be permanently stored and replayed offline—you truly own it. “Apple cannot revoke your downloaded content,” the support documentation emphasizes, and your files remain accessible even without an Internet connection.

Many songs in the iTunes Store are sold DRM-free, meaning there are no copy-protection limitations. Apple advertises “100 million high-quality, DRM-free songs” in the iTunes Store catalog, highlighting that users truly own their purchases. All purchased music includes song info and album artwork automatically. (Lyrics do not come embedded by default, but album images do.) You can back up your music files to iCloud or your computer if desired, since Apple guarantees access to your downloads.

Some key points about buying music:

• Large Catalog: iTunes offers an enormous song library, updated weekly. It began with just 200,000 songs in 2003 and has grown to over 60 million tracks as of 2020.

• Ownership: Purchased songs can be redownloaded anytime. Apple’s support site says you can download previously bought items on any device.

• Ease of Use: Browsing is simple (search or genre charts), and you can preview any track for 30 seconds before buying.

• Re-download and Sync: You can re-download past purchases on new devices. iTunes adds each bought item to your Purchased library, making it easy to retrieve across devices.

Other Content in the iTunes Store

Beyond music, the iTunes Store has offered a variety of other media over time:

Movies and TV Shows: You can rent or purchase movies and TV episodes. On iPhone and iPad, movie purchases have been migrated to the Apple TV app. As Apple notes, “iTunes Movies and TV Shows have moved to the Apple TV app. All your movie and TV show purchases are now in your Library on the Apple TV app.” In practice, this means that while you can no longer directly buy movies in the iTunes Store app, all existing iTunes movie purchases appear in Apple TV.

New releases and rentals are also handled by Apple TV. If using a Mac or PC, the Apple TV app (or iTunes on older macOS) is where you browse and buy films. For rentals on PC, Apple’s support guide explains that rented movies remain in your library until they expire.

Podcasts: iTunes helped popularize podcasts. In 2005, Apple “took podcasting mainstream” by integrating a podcast directory into iTunes. The result is that the Podcasts app (and older iTunes versions) host thousands of free podcast shows. As of Apple’s announcement, iTunes users could subscribe to “over 3,000 free podcasts” and have new episodes delivered automatically. Today, podcasts are managed in the Apple Podcasts app, but the iTunes Store originally brought podcasts to many listeners.

Audiobooks and Books: While books and audiobooks are sold through the Apple Books app, your Apple ID purchases for books are tied to the same account. Some older iTunes versions allowed audiobook purchases, but now Apple Books handles that entirely.

iTunes U (Education): Apple’s educational content (iTunes U) was once available through the iTunes Store. It offered free lectures and course materials. (Note: Apple retired iTunes U in 2023.)

iOS Apps (History): Historically, iTunes was also a hub for iPhone and iPad apps. However, Apple separated app distribution from iTunes in 2017. Today, all iOS apps must be downloaded via the App Store app. The iTunes Store itself no longer sells iOS apps. This shift means that “iTunes App Store” is an outdated term; now you use the App Store for all app downloads.

iTunes Store vs. App Store and Apple Store:

It’s important to distinguish different Apple “stores.” The iTunes Store sells digital media content (music, movies, podcasts, etc.), whereas the App Store sells applications for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Since 2017, iTunes no longer includes an app section, so you won’t find apps in the iTunes Store. To download apps, use the App Store on your device.

Meanwhile, the Apple Store (online or retail shop) is where you buy hardware and physical products (iPhones, iPads, Macs, accessories, etc.), not digital media. The Apple Gift Card or Apple Store gift card can be used for either physical products or digital content, depending on how you redeem it. But in general, remember: use the App Store for apps, the Apple Store for devices, and the iTunes Store for music and media.

Security and Payment

All iTunes Store transactions use your Apple ID, which is protected by Apple’s security systems (including optional two-factor authentication). To purchase music or movies, your Apple ID must have a valid payment method (credit card, PayPal, or Apple ID balance from gift cards). You can also redeem an Apple Gift Card in the App Store or Apple Music app to add funds to your Apple ID, which then applies to iTunes Store purchases.

When you buy a song or movie, the charge is tied to your Apple ID’s country pricing. For example, in the US a single song typically ranges from $0.69 to $1.29. Prices and currency vary by region. The iTunes Store also has regular sales and holiday deals, so popular albums or singles may be discounted at times.

Apple’s support site notes that you can view and manage your purchases at any time. In iTunes or the Music app, open your Account page to review purchase history or to restore purchases. If you ever change devices or delete a file, you can re-download it from the store as long as it was bought with your Apple ID.

What’s New in 2025 for iTunes Store

While the core iTunes Store functions have remained stable, Apple continues to update the ecosystem. In recent years:

• Apple split your iTunes content into dedicated apps. On macOS, the Apple Music app, Apple TV app, and Apple Podcasts app replaced the old iTunes software. However, those apps still allow access to your original iTunes Store purchases.

• The Apple TV app now offers 4K and Dolby Atmos support for movies, meaning if you purchased a film in HD on iTunes Store, you can watch it in higher quality on compatible devices.

• Apple Music (subscription) competes with iTunes Store by offering lossless and spatial audio, but the iTunes Store still appeals to buyers who want ownership over specific tracks.

• With the rise of services like Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and Apple Arcade, Apple accounts now consolidate many subscriptions. But your individual iTunes Store purchases (music, TV shows, etc.) remain tied to your Apple ID.

Overall, the iTunes Store remains a key part of Apple’s digital media strategy in 2025 – even as streaming grows, it continues to offer genuine ownership of songs and movies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How do I buy songs on iTunes?

A1: To purchase music, open the iTunes Store app on your iPhone or iPad and tap Music at the bottom. Browse or search for the song or album you want, then tap its price. On a computer (Mac or Windows), open iTunes/Music, click iTunes Store (or use the search field), find your song or album, and click its price to buy. You’ll need to sign in with your Apple ID to confirm the purchase. The song will then download and appear in your library.

Q2: How do I download music from iTunes after purchasing?

A2: Once you buy a song, it’s immediately downloaded to your device if connected to the Internet. If you have multiple devices, you can download it elsewhere. On Mac, enable Automatic Downloads under Music settings so all new purchases download to every authorized computer or device. You can also re-download past purchases by going to your account’s Purchase History. Remember, all your purchased songs are tied to your Apple ID, and Apple notes that you can download them “permanently” to compatible devices through the iTunes Store.

Q3: How do I sign in to the iTunes Store?

A3: Use your Apple ID (email/password) to log in. On a Mac or PC, open iTunes or Music and choose Account > Sign In, then enter your Apple ID credentials. On iPhone or iPad, make sure you’re signed into the App Store with your Apple ID (found in Settings or the App Store app). If you don’t have an Apple ID, iTunes will prompt you to create one when you try to buy something. All purchases you make are linked to this account, which gives you access to the iTunes Store.

Q4: Can I buy or watch movies on iTunes?

A4: You can rent or purchase movies and TV shows via Apple’s media apps. On iPhones and iPads, movie and TV show shopping has moved to the Apple TV app. Any movies or shows you previously bought on iTunes Store are available in the TV app’s Library. If you’re on a Mac or PC, use the Apple TV app (or the Movies/TV section of iTunes on older macOS) to browse and buy films. Rented movies typically expire 30 days after rental or 48 hours after you start watching.

Q5: What is the difference between the iTunes Store and the App Store?

A5: The iTunes Store sells digital media content (music, movies, podcasts, etc.), whereas the App Store sells applications for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In 2017, Apple removed the App Store from iTunes, so iTunes no longer offers app downloads. To get apps, use the App Store app on your device. The two stores have separate purposes and interfaces.

Q6: What kind of content can I get from the iTunes Store?

A6: The iTunes Store offers a wide array of content. Primarily it provides music tracks and albums (100M+ songs). It also features podcasts, audiobooks, and iTunes U lectures (free educational content). Movies and TV shows are available as well (though new purchases are via Apple TV). All content you purchase (music, video, books, etc.) can be downloaded and kept permanently. Note that over time, Apple has refined its catalog (e.g., moving movies to Apple TV, apps to App Store), but the iTunes Store remains the hub for personal media purchases.

Q7: How do I access my iTunes Store purchases on different devices?

A7: All iTunes Store purchases are tied to your Apple ID, so you can access them on any device that uses your account. On a new device, just sign in with the same Apple ID. On Mac, open the Apple Music or Apple TV app and look under Library or Purchased. On iPhone/iPad, open the Music app (for songs) or TV app (for videos), and you should see your purchased items. If a purchase isn’t on a device, look for an option to Redownload. Alternatively, tap your profile > Purchased in the App Store or Apple Music app to retrieve it.

Q8: Does Apple remove purchased content from the iTunes Store?

A8: Generally no. Content you buy on iTunes Store remains available for you. Apple explicitly states they “cannot revoke your downloaded content,” meaning that once you’ve purchased and downloaded a song or movie, it will stay in your library. Even if an item is later removed from the store for future purchases, your existing purchase remains accessible. It’s recommended to keep backups (e.g., in iCloud or on your computer), but in any case, you can re-download your purchases at will, as Apple’s system ensures permanent access for items you’ve paid for.