Apple Releases iTunes 12.5.1 With Revamped Apple Music Design

newitunes122logoApple today released a new version of iTunes, iTunes 12.5.1, which is available for OS X El Capitan and macOS Sierra users. iTunes 12.5.1 introduces a new Apple Music design, bringing Apple Music on the desktop in line with Apple Music on mobile devices just ahead of the release of iOS 10.

The update also brings macOS Sierra-specific features including support for Siri, allowing users to ask Siri to play songs on machines running macOS Sierra, and it includes support for Picture-in-Picture, another new Sierra feature.

iTunes 12.5.1 can be downloaded immediately from the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.

Now with an all-new Apple Music design which brings greater clarity and simplicity to every aspect of the experience.

This update includes support for iOS 10. It also adds enhancements designed for macOS Sierra including:

- Siri. Play music from your Library and Apple Music using your voice. Just ask Siri.
- Picture-in-Picture. Watch videos as you multitask and use different apps. Your video floats above your desktop in any corner of the screen.

While iOS 10 is being introduced today with an all new Apple Music experience that focuses on a cleaner look and easier to use interface, macOS Sierra will not be released until next Tuesday, September 20.

Tag: iTunes
Related Forum: Mac Apps

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...

Top Rated Comments

mr.bee Avatar
120 months ago
Just don't tell me they removed star ratings from this too...
star rating is still there :)
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghsDUDE Avatar
120 months ago
I miss the good ole' days of album art on the bottom left corner...
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nagromme Avatar
120 months ago
Just don't tell me they removed star ratings from this too...
Yikes! Didn't realize star ratings were gone from iOS Music app. I use star ratings heavily on both iOS and Mac.

A little research suggests I'll be inconvenienced but still able to do what I do. iOS 10 testers report that:

- Smart Playlists still work on iOS 10 and respond to star ratings as always.

- You can tell Siri "Rate this song 4 stars" to avoid having to rate from your Mac/PC.

Really hope the on-screen star ratings come back though!

My decade-old system:

5 stars: the VERY best of the best
4 stars: my favorite songs
3 stars: all the rest of the songs I like
2 stars: neutral—but OK to have in shuffle for variety so I don't get as tired of my favorites
1 star: dislike!
0 stars: unrated, need to decide

Then I can devote as much or as little space to my music on each device as I want, by syncing Smart Playlists like "2+ Stars" and "4+ Stars."
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mkaen Avatar
120 months ago
Just don't tell me they removed star ratings from this too...
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
120 months ago
Looking forward to an Apple Music app for macOS next year.

There's no reason why iTunes should still be around as the bloated everythingware that it is.

The App Store could manage iOS apps and syncing. iCloud already does backups but for the sake of those who want to plug in, macOS could handle the backup.

For those who still want to buy music rather than stream it, they'll have Apple Music like everyone else but next to each song and album will be a buy button. It'll certainly entice them to pay the $9.99 and get all you can listen to for one flat price.

All that is remaining is a dedicated Movies/TV app for iOS and macOS. Maybe a deal with movie and tv studios for a streaming video service like Apple Music will be reached for WWDC 2017 and we can move on from storing huge libraries of movies and tv shows on our computers and just watch what we want to watch, when we want to watch it.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tomapple Avatar
120 months ago
Just don't tell me they removed star ratings from this too...
Yeaaah!! I'm so pissed about this on iOS 10
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)