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

iphone 17 models

No iPhone 18 Launch This Year, Reports Suggest

Thursday January 1, 2026 8:43 am PST by
Apple is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 model this year, according to a growing number of reports that suggest the company is planning a significant change to its long-standing annual iPhone launch cycle. Despite the immense success of the iPhone 17 in 2025, the iPhone 18 is not expected to arrive until the spring of 2027, leaving the iPhone 17 in the lineup as the latest...
duolingo ad live activity

Duolingo Used iPhone's Dynamic Island to Display Ads, Violating Apple Design Guidelines

Friday January 2, 2026 1:36 pm PST by
Language learning app Duolingo has apparently been using the iPhone's Live Activity feature to display ads on the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, which violates Apple's design guidelines. According to multiple reports on Reddit, the Duolingo app has been displaying an ad for a "Super offer," which is Duolingo's paid subscription option. Apple's guidelines for Live Activity state that...
Clicks Communicator Feature

'Clicks Communicator' Unveiled — Will You Carry This With Your iPhone?

Friday January 2, 2026 6:35 am PST by
The company behind the BlackBerry-like Clicks Keyboard accessory for the iPhone today unveiled a new Android 16 smartphone called the Clicks Communicator. The purpose-built device is designed to be used as a second phone alongside your iPhone, with the intended focus being communication over content consumption. It runs a custom Android launcher that offers a curated selection of messaging...
Low Cost MacBook Feature A18 Pro

Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year

Friday January 2, 2026 9:08 am PST by
Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce. In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing." TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more...
Apple Fitness Plus hero

Apple Announces New Fitness+ Workout Programs, Strava Challenge, and More

Friday January 2, 2026 6:43 am PST by
Apple today announced a number of updates to Apple Fitness+ and activity with the Apple Watch. The key announcements include: New Year limited-edition award: Users can win the award by closing all three Activity Rings for seven days in a row in January. "Quit Quitting" Strava challenge: Available in Strava throughout January, users who log 12 workouts anytime in the month will win an ...
Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature Pink

Apple's 2026 Low-Cost A18 Pro MacBook: What We Know So Far

Friday January 2, 2026 4:33 pm PST by
Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook in 2026, which will apparently compete with more affordable Chromebooks and Windows PCs. Apple's most affordable Mac right now is the $999 MacBook Air, and the upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to be cheaper. Here's what we know about the low-cost MacBook so far. Size Rumors suggest the low-cost MacBook will have a display that's around 13 ...
Mac Pro Feature Blue

What's Happening With the Mac Pro?

Wednesday December 31, 2025 9:59 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro since 2023, and according to recent rumors, there's no update coming in the near future. In fact, Apple might be finished with the Mac Pro. Bloomberg recently said that the Mac Pro is "on the back burner" and has been "largely written off" by Apple. Apple apparently views the more compact Mac Studio as the ideal high-end pro-level desktop, and it has almost...

Top Rated Comments

Captain Nougat Avatar
65 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
65 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)
farewelwilliams Avatar
65 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)
Minxy Avatar
65 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)
JM Avatar
65 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)
ouimetnick Avatar
65 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)