Chromebooks are widely regarded as one of the best alternatives for those who don’t actually require the huge computing power of modern laptops. If you happen to just casually use the internet or listen to music, perhaps Chromebook is your best bet. Though since the Chromebook runs on ChromeOS, sadly there isn’t any official version of the iTunes app for Chromebook users.
The problem isn’t just with iTunes, but also that most software that runs on a Windows or Mac PC find it difficult to run on a Chromebook. Though, you don’t have to worry since you are in safe hands. This Step-By-Step Tutorial will guide you on accessing your iTunes library on a Chromebook. Though this involves you to import your songs to Google Play library first.
Use Google Play to access iTunes
To do this you have to upload your iTunes music library to Google Play and from there you can access the library via chromebook. It’s not exactly getting iTunes in Chromebook but it’s close enough.
How to upload your iTunes music library into Google Play
Step 1
To start, you’ll have to direct your web browser to play.google.com/music. Login to your Google account, then click “Upload Music” in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
Step 2
On the next page, click the orange “Download Music Manager” button. Follow the installation instructions to get the music manager on you/ computer.
Step 3
Once installed, the Music Manager will ask you where you keep your music collection. Select iTunes, then click “Next.” The manager will then go through your iTunes library and upload your songs and playlists to Google Play. There is a 20,000 song limit, but the service is completely free.
Step 4
Download the Google Play Music app on your Chromebook and connect it to your Google account. You will be able to stream your entire music library from the device. You will also be able to play your music from the Google Play web player.
Use Linux or Wine to install iTunes directly into your Chromebook
Here’s an intricate way of installing Itunes on your Chromebook using Wine inside of Linux:
- Install Linux on your Chromebook. I’m working on a guide to install Linux on Chromebook and will update this post with a link when I finish. Until then, a Google search will help.
- In your Linux installation, install PlayOnLinux (or Wine)
- Open the PlayOnLinux app
- Click install and search for iTunes
- Select the iTunes version
- The PlayOnLinux installation wizard will guide you through the iTunes installation
This method requires technical knowledge on workaround and patience, this way has too many potential issues, so just do this method if you’re technical enough to follow the process.
Apple’s business model relies heavily on a closed, proprietary ecosystem. Opening their software to other platforms requires a lot of internal resources to maintain their ecosystem so we won’t see iTunes for Chromebook in the future.