iTunes 12.6.5.3 on MacOS Catalina 10.15

[bogdanw]

As of Catalina 10.15.4, the scripts no longer work.
iTunes can be installed with Retroactive https://github.com/cormiertyshawn895/Retroactive/releases
Retroactive thread on MacRumors https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/retroactive-mac-app-that-lets-you-run-aperture-iphoto-or-itunes-on-macos-catalina.2207898/




Yes, iTunes 12.6.5.3 is working on MacOS Catalina 10.15 Beta 19A471t

More details soon.

UPDATE:
iTunes 12.6.5.3 & 12.8.2 https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/itunes-12-6-5-3-on-macos-catalina-10-15.2184518/post-27807492
iTunes 12.9.5.5 https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/itunes-12-6-5-3-on-macos-catalina-10-15.2184518/post-27843550

 

[bogdanw]

UPDATE: Does NOT work in Catalina release, see the above post for updated scripts.

Instructions for getting iTunes 12.6.5.3 to work on MacOS Catalina 10.15
1. Disable System Integrity Protection (Reboot to Recovery, open Terminal, run csrutil disable, reboot)
2. Download iTunes 12.6.5.3 dmg from https://support.apple.com/HT208079 (direct link https://secure-appldnld.apple.com/i...-B085-11E8-B6AB-C1D03409AD2A/iTunes12.6.5.dmg )
3. Use this script to create a package that can be installed on macOS Catalina

display dialog "Please select iTunes 12.6 dmg file" buttons {"Ok"}
set theDMG to choose file with prompt "Please select iTunes 12.6 dmg file:" of type {"dmg"}
do shell script "hdiutil mount " & quoted form of POSIX path of theDMG
do shell script "pkgutil --expand /Volumes/iTunes/Install\\ iTunes.pkg ~/tmp"
do shell script "sed -i '' 's/18A1/14F2511/g' ~/tmp/Distribution"
do shell script "sed -i '' 's/gt/lt/g' ~/tmp/Distribution"
do shell script "pkgutil --flatten ~/tmp ~/Desktop/iTunes.pkg"
do shell script "hdiutil unmount /Volumes/iTunes/"
do shell script "rm -rf ~/tmp"

set question to display dialog "Install iTtunes?" buttons {"Yes", "No"} default button 1
set answer to button returned of question
if answer is equal to "Yes" then
    do shell script "open ~/Desktop/iTunes.pkg"
    return
end if
if answer is equal to "No" then
    display dialog "Modified iTunes.pkg saved on desktop" buttons {"Ok"}
    return
end if

When the message "This package is incompatible with this version of macOS." is displayed, click on "Install anyway"

4. Use this script to modify iTunes 12.6.5.3 to run on macOS 10.15

do shell script "sed -i '' 's/12.6.5/13.6.5/g' /Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist" with administrator privileges

or run in Terminal

sudo sed -i '' 's/12.6.5/13.6.5/g' /Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist

Notes:
- If iTunes hangs at the first start, force quit, disable Internet and start it again
- System Integrity Protection can be re-enabled: reboot into Recovery, open Terminal, run csrutil enable, reboot

 

[ideaprison]

Worked like a charm! Can't thank you enough. Although for me it can't open my old library because this iTunes version is older than the last one on Mojave. I'll search around if there's a way to fix the library too.

For anyone wondering what the script is for, open up 'script editor' (AppleScript) and run it from there.

 

[Mr Todhunter]

I can now confirm that you bogdanw are a wizard. Very many thanks.

iTunes 12.6.5.3 works like a charm on Catalina.

I’ve tested on a clean install of Catalina on an external usb 3.0 HD running on an Macbook Air from 2014.
After disabling System Integrity Protection I deleted the Books app because I wanted to have iTunes handling my books.
I then ran the script and after iTunes was installed I ran the terminal code.
iTunes started without a problem, didn’t have to force quit or anything.
I have tested drag and drop of files and it work perfectly (I didn’t try syncing because I always transfer manually).
Streaming music to my HomePod and Movies to my AppleTV also works perfectly.

I think we should spread the word because very many people are wondering if they can keep using iTunes (to judge from questions in the forums).

 

[ideaprison]

I was hoping for a newer version (at least on that support dark-mode) 【I tried with the plist flag but no luck (only darkens the backdrop of the search field and alerts】

I tried the last version on Mojave but even editing the app's plist the same way above guide does doesn't work.

 

[bogdanw]

I was hoping for a newer version

The point was to have iTunes with AppStore
If you want a newer version, the last made available for download by Apple is iTunes 12.8.2 https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1977
If you have installed iTunes 12.6.5.3, delete it. Run the first script and select iTunes12.8.2.dmg. Install the iTunes.pkg saved on Desktop. Run the script

do shell script "sed -i '' 's/12.8.2/13.8.2/g' /Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist" with administrator privileges

or in Terminal

 sudo sed -i '' 's/12.8.2/13.8.2/g' /Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist

 

[haralds]

Does this install remove the ability to run the Music app, since it replaces some of the frameworks?
Can you reenable SIP?

 

[Mr Todhunter]

No and yes.
You can still run the new Music app.
And you can re-enable SIP. (As bogdanw says in his instructions)

 

[ideaprison]

@bogdanw I see, I just thought the one with the package installer was the only one like it. I am now running 12.8.2 Thanks again!

 

[haralds]

Working with 12.8.2. The good news is that iTunes and Music have separate folders, but can point to the same media.

 

[bogdanw]

I am now running 12.8.2

Working with 12.8.2.

Having installed 12.8.2, you can "upgrade" to 12.9.5.5 by copying the app from Mojave.
You can use this script to copy iTunes from Mojave, modify it to work on Catalina and make it into a package that can be installed. As the package contains just the app, without the frameworks, some iTunes features might not work.

do shell script "mkdir ~/tmp"
do shell script "cp -R /Applications/iTunes.app ~/tmp"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleGetInfoString -string 'iTunes 13.9.5.5' ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleShortVersionString -string 13.9.5 ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "plutil -replace CFBundleVersion -string 13.9.5 ~/tmp/iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist"
do shell script "productbuild --component ~/tmp/iTunes.app/ /Applications/ ~/Desktop/iTunes12.9.5.pkg"
do shell script "rm -R ~/tmp"

 

[coolaaron88]

Anything I can do about this message?

 

[ideaprison]

Anything I can do about this message?

Not really the .itl is encrypted or at least not a text-based filetype.

If you had "Share iTunes Library XML with other applications" (At Advanced) turned on in iTunes then you will have a "iTunes Music Library.xml" file in "/Music/iTunes" which is basically a copy of the library but in xml format for other apps to use.

You can import that one to iTunes and things will be like you had it (ratings/metadata/playlists etc..)
File → Library → Import Playlist → Open that XML

If you didn't then try running iTunes on Mojave or whichever macOS version you had prior or on another machine with your older .itl in /Music/iTunes then tick that XML option on should generate it immediately. As long as your music files are in the right place it will work (it won't care if they are available on the other computer.)

 

[XXX_0924]

alguien puede hacer un video asiéndolo saludos
[doublepost=1560605895][/doublepost]someone can make a video grabbing him greetings

 

[return2sendai]

OMG! Please, lovely, sexy, beta-testers. Please get iTunes running on Clita...sorry, Catalina. Please! Some of us LOVE iTunes. Otherwise, Im staying in the Mojave desert!

 

[Mr Todhunter]

OMG! Please, lovely, sexy, beta-testers. Please get iTunes running on Clita...sorry, Catalina. Please! Some of us LOVE iTunes. Otherwise, Im staying in the Mojave desert!

I’ll be staying in the Mojave desert also because I have a few 32bits apps I cannot live without.

 

[StellarVixen]

This won't last for long, so enjoy it while you can.

 

[return2sendai]

This won't last for long, so enjoy it while you can.

There Will Be Hacks. Or Blood. Probably Both!

 

[bogdanw]

This won't last for long, so enjoy it while you can.

Do you have some insider info?
I thought about what Apple might do and there should be solutions.
If everything fails, there is still iTunes for Windows
iTunes 12.9.5.7 https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
iTunes 12.6.5.3 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208079
iTunes 12.9.5.7 in Windows Store https://www.microsoft.com/p/itunes/9pb2mz1zmb1s
You can run it in a free Windows 10 Enterprise virtual machine https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/downloads/virtual-machines

 

[mathewgx]

ITunes cannot install on beta 2. Says incompatible software.
Any way to fix it?

 

[bogdanw]

ITunes cannot install on beta 2. Says incompatible software.Any way to fix it?

It works

It might be as simple as copy-pasting a modified app from Mojave, no need to disable SIP, no installation required. The only modification is changing 12 to 13 in iTunes.app/Contents/Info.plist. So, from 12.6.5 to 13.6.5, 12.8.2 to 13.8.2 and 12.9.5 to 13.9.5.

 

[mathewgx]

What am I doing wrong?

I copy pasted a working modified itunes from Mojave , in plist there is 13.6.5 but it says incompatible.

 

[bogdanw]

What am I doing wrong?
I copy pasted a working modified itunes from Mojave , in plist there is 13.6.5 but it says incompatible.

iTunes runs only from /Applications. If an iTunes version is in Applications, other versions can run from different folders. On Mojave, I have 12.9 in /Applications and iTunes 12.6 in ~/Applications. If I delete 12.9, 12.6 displays the same message as yours.

 

[mathewgx]

When I try to copy to applications folder I get error.

 

[bogdanw]

When I try to copy to applications folder I get error.

You can use the script from #11 to create a package that can be installed.