Have you recently acquired a Chromebook and learned that iTunes could not be installed? You have nothing to worry about, as we have you covered. Even if you believe compatibility issues exist between the Google and Apple ecosystems, it is now possible to access your iTunes music collection from a Chrome OS device. I will explain how to install iTunes on a Chromebook in this article.
This article examines how to install Apple iTunes on a Google Chromebook to bridge this divide. We will provide step-by-step guidance and instructions on how to build an iTunes Desktop shortcut for quick access.
First, you’ll need to validate that your Chromebook supports Linux apps. You can do that by browsing the settings menu in your ChromeOS device on the system packages tray. Next, click the gear button and click on the advanced button under the settings menu, which will be visible. Next, to install the Linux files directory, use the “turn on” option after choosing “Developers” to enable support. Now follow the tutorial below to run iTunes with wine installed!
Table of Contents
What is Apple iTunes?
Apple iTunes is a software that allows users to download, play, and manage music and video content. Additionally, the program gives simple access to the iTunes Store. You can download iTunes from the apple id and proceed with the iTunes windows setup.
In 2001, Apple introduced iTunes. Initially, the program offered a media player and a mechanism for Macintosh users to manage and sync their digital music collections with their iPods. Next, apple provided the opportunity to purchase music through the iTunes Store in 2003. The same year, Apple introduced iTunes for Windows, encouraging wider adoption of the iPod. Finally, apple merged iTunes with iCloud in 2011, allowing users to synchronize media, applications, and other data (such as contacts) across different devices. Users must have an Apple-registered login and password to access the iTunes Store, App Store, and iCloud.
Is iTunes Compatible with Chromebook?
iTunes is the default application for Mac users to play music, view movies, and television programs, and do various other tasks. Apple has also developed a windows app version of iTunes, which can be downloaded through the Microsoft Store or the Apple website. The issue at hand is iTunes for Chromebook. Is the iTunes app accessible to Chromebook users as well?
Over time, Chromebooks are growing more popular, according to data. It is even seen as a viable replacement for conventional laptops. Chrome OS is very different from Windows and macOS; however, Google provides users with easy access to Windows and Android applications despite Chromebook’s usage of this operating system.
However, iTunes is a popular iOS application for Mac computers, iPhones, and other devices. Can iTunes be installed on Chrome OS? How can iTunes be downloaded onto a Chromebook? Google has considered this and provides a remedy to install iTunes successfully.
Install iTunes on Chromebook
Having stated all of this, let’s immediately go with the processes. Here, we describe how to get iTunes running on your Chromebook. To provide an overview, install wine software widely used to run the most excellent Windows 10 applications on Linux PCs. We will install the Windows version of iTunes on our Chromebook using the Linux container and then install Wine. Make sure to install Linux.
1. you must enable Linux on your Chromebook to install iTunes on Chromebook; after you enable Linux, proceed to the installation of Wine on your Chromebook. Reading the articles above will prepare you for the following stage.
2. Let’s proceed to get iTunes for Chromebook and iTunes installed. Keep in mind that the 64-bit version of the application is incompatible with Chromebook and shows a dark window.
We have tried the most recent 64-bit, and 32-bit builds of iTunes (7 December 2020), but the dark screen problem remains. Therefore, you must download this particular 32-bit version of iTunes from this page. The version is 12.9.3 as of August 2019.
3. Then, rename the program to something simpler, such as “itunes.exe,” and place it in the Linux files directory. Next, open the Linux Terminal and enter the following command to upgrade Linux to the most recent version.
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
update Linux
4. After doing so, open the terminal and enter the command below to convert Wine’s architecture to 32-bit. Ensure that you replace your username with the exact username associated with your Chromebook.
Look for the section preceding @penguin in the Linux Terminal to locate the username. That is your login name. Meanwhile, click the “OK” option if a Wine window appears.
WINEARCH = win32 WINEPREFIX = /home/username/.wine32 winecfg=
5. Next, use the command below to install iTunes 32-bit on Chromebook. Once again, ensure that you alter your username. Instantaneously, a window for installation will appear. Click “Next” to continue with the installation.
WINEARCH=win32 WINEPREFIX=/home/yourusername/.wine32/itunes.exe
6. Once the installation is complete, click “Finish” and voilà! iTunes is compatible with Chromebook.
Install iTunes on a Chromebook by Using Wine
ChromeOS is fundamentally a Linux-based operating system, and its Linux capabilities may be leveraged to run Wine, which enables the installation of Windows applications on Linux (like iTunes). This is a multi-step procedure to install iTunes on Chromebook (described below), but before you begin, you must create an iTunes account (if already not present).
Correct the iTunes file path
iTunes is now installed on your Chromebook, and its icon will appear in the app window. But don’t launch it just yet! The file path that iTunes downloaded is incorrect; thus, your Chromebook will be unable to find the application until you modify it to a Wine/Linux-compatible version.
Step 1:
Locate your new iTunes setup file. Navigate to My Files and then Linux Files. Now, pick the Three-Dot symbol in the upper-right corner of the window. Select the option to Show Hidden Files to ensure you can browse properly.
Step 2:
You should see the option to choose your Local folder on the left side of your Linux files menu. Select it, followed by Share > Applications > Wine > Programs > iTunes.
Step 3:
Right-click the iTunes file to launch iTunes and choose the Open With Text option.
Step 4:
In the text file, after you launch iTunes, look for line three that begins with “Exec” and shows a file path. You will need to alter this file location without modifying the rest of the text file. Replace it with the following, using your Linux username for “username”:
Exec=env WINEPREFIX=”/home/username/.wine32″
Please save the file and close it when you are finished.
Enable 32-bit support with the Wine app
Linux is installed on your Chromebook; however, the iTunes software is not yet compatible. So first, you must activate 32-bit program support, which needs a particular update. Not to worry, a little more copying and pasting will suffice.
Launch your Linux and prepare to enter some commands if you haven’t already. First, paste in the text and run:
sudo apt-get install Wine
Followed by copying:
sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386
To finish the installation of Wine. Keep an eye out for mistakes that may need you to re-paste the command with careful attention to each character.
Install iTunes on a Chromebook Linux
The second step is to update Wine to its 32-bit version, making room for iTunes. Again, you will be required to put in and execute two crucial instructions. The initial is:
sudo apt update
After that command has been executed, paste:
sudo apt-get install wine32
It would help if you were now prepared to go to iTunes on Chromebook.
Commence iTunes setup
Step 1: Now that you’re working with 32-bit support, you’ll need to upgrade Wine once again, so copy and execute the command:
sudo apt update
Step 2: Pasting this following command straight into the terminal is a little challenging, as you must replace the part “username” with the real Linux username you supplied during setup.
You may wish to paste the line first, then add your username manually before copying it again:
wine iTunesSetup.exe
Step 3: You will likely get a prompt to activate iTunes-required functionality; acknowledge the prompts and wait for iTunes to complete installing. A pop-up message stating “Congratulations!” should indicate that the task has been completed.
Create a shortcut to iTunes on Chromebook
You have successfully installed iTunes on Chromebook, and an App Drawer shortcut within the Linux file directory has been generated with your actual Linux username. However, when you click the shortcut, iTunes does not launch since the file path is wrong. Therefore, to resolve this problem, please follow these procedures.
Follow these steps:
Launch the Files application and go to the Linux area. Proceed with the iTunes installation window. Click the three-dot menu and choose “Show Hidden Files” here.
Now, move to the subsequent path: Share > Applications > Wine > Program Files > iTunes app. Here you’ll find iTunes. Desktop file, which is the desktop shortcut that has to be edited. Therefore, right-click it and choose “Open With.”
Choose the Text application to open the file. You may get it from this page if you do not have the Text app.
Please copy the following path, then put it immediately below Exec=. Remember to modify your username to the correct one.
env WINEPREFIX=”/home/yourusername/.wine32″ wine”/home/yourusername/.wine32/drive c/Program Files/iTunes/iTunes.exe”
Now, save the file and exit the Text application.
Open iTunes from the Linux folder, and it should start successfully this time. Additionally, you may pin iTunes to Chrome Shelf.
Conclusion
Once Wine is installed, the procedure becomes simple. Therefore, here is how to install iTunes on your Chromebook.
Despite the complexity of the installation procedure, you may test it on your smartphone. From the performance perspective, iTunes did not function well, but you should try it and see how it performs on your Chromebook.
Anyway, that is all we have to say. We hope this guide proves to be helpful for you in using iTunes on Chromebook.
