Apple Planning to Bring Music and Podcasts Apps to Microsoft Store - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Planning to Bring Music and Podcasts Apps to Microsoft Store

Apple is working to bring Music and Podcasts apps to the Microsoft Store, according to a report from 9to5Mac that cites unnamed sources. Apple is allegedly testing Music and Podcasts apps for Microsoft's platforms in a private beta capacity at this time.

macos catalina apple music
There is no word on whether the apps will be compatible with Windows PCs or if they are being developed for Microsoft's Xbox consoles. Apple in November released an Apple TV app that is compatible with the Xbox One, Series X, and Series S, so it's possible future Podcasts and Music apps will also be limited to consoles.

Apple could be planning to release these apps on Windows following the discontinuation of iTunes on the Mac, however. Right now, Apple continues to offer a version of iTunes designed for Windows machines, but the app is rarely updated and the interface could use an overhaul as it is not ideal for accessing services like Apple Music and ‌Apple TV‌+.

Apple transitioned away from iTunes on the Mac in 2019 with the release of macOS Catalina, providing users with separate Music, TV, and Podcast apps.

Apple in November 2019 posted job listings for engineers to build "the next generation of media apps for Windows," so revamped media apps for Windows have likely been in the works for some time. At the time, Apple said that it was looking for engineers with experience using Universal Windows Platform, which allows for apps that work on Xbox and other Windows 10 platforms.

Related Forum: Mac Apps

Popular Stories

apple music

Apple Music Is Down for Some Users

Monday April 20, 2026 12:18 pm PDT by
If Apple Music isn't working for you, you're not alone. According to Apple's System Status page, there's currently an Apple Music outage. Apple says that users may be experiencing intermittent issues with the service. The outage started at 2:38 p.m. Eastern Time, and it is ongoing. We'll update this article when the outage has been...
M5 Vision Pro Thumb 2

Apple Has Given Up on the Vision Pro After M5 Refresh Flop

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:31 am PDT by
Apple has all but given up on the Vision Pro after the M5 model failed to revitalize interest in the device, MacRumors has learned. Apple updated the Vision Pro with a faster M5 chip and a more comfortable band in October 2025, but there were no other hardware changes, and consumers still weren't interested. The Vision Pro has been criticized for its high price tag and its uncomfortable...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro to Launch in September With These 10 New Features

Tuesday April 28, 2026 9:35 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...

Top Rated Comments

69 months ago

NOOOOOOOO not my precious iTunes!!

seriously though: is it possible to backup the iPhone with Music app on Mac?
You backup your iPhone on a Mac with Finder now. Just plug in your phone and you'll see it in the sidebar and go from there.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SchrodingersMartian Avatar
69 months ago

So it should bring its apps to the Microsoft store! Being platform agnostic is important if you want your product to become ubiquitous.

Maybe Messages can be next.
That is a resounding NOPE. Messages will never be on another platform as the same way you will never see Apple Watch support Android or BMW's sold at a Ford Dealership.

Apple is smart enough and has learned from the late 90s not to let their crown jewel or this case jewels ever be taken out the castle again. Not everything needs to be shared as that is a sign of desperation and Apple is not that!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ouimetnick Avatar
69 months ago
As someone who has no intention of using Apple’s services, I’ll stick with iTunes. As clunky as it is and as much as I dislike it, at least I’m not getting spammed with Apple Music or Apple TV+ offers frequently. Apple Music is very buggy for those with their own music library. It screwed up my lyrics and album artwork so I went back to Mojave. Good thing for keeping a proper backup!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JM Avatar
69 months ago
NOOOOOOOO not my precious iTunes!!

seriously though: is it possible to backup the iPhone with Music app on Mac?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69 months ago
So it should bring its apps to the Microsoft store! Being platform agnostic is important if you want your product to become ubiquitous.

Maybe Messages can be next.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69 months ago
bring photos too.

number of "house calls" I've had to answer is due to family refusing to replace their computers with a Mac. and iCloud Photos via the web is such a terrible experience.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)