4 Best Ways To Download iTunes On Chromebook

download itunes on chromebook

iTunes is an essential app for anyone who uses Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It lets you play music, stream movies & TV shows, listen to podcasts, and more.

Moreover, iTunes is also available for Windows which you can install by going to Microsoft Store. But how to download iTunes on Chromebook? Unfortunately, iTunes doesn’t run natively on Chrome OS.

So, you need to use different methods to download and install iTunes on your Chromebook. Let’s begin!

How To Install iTunes on Chromebook?

You should already have an iTunes account set up to use iTunes on your Chromebook. If not, use an Apple device to do so. Moreover, if you have a school-issued Chromebook, contact your school administrator to turn on Linux or Google Play Store, depending on the method you follow.

Use these methods to get iTunes on Chromebook (For the fastest method to access your iTunes library on Chromebook, jump to Method 3):

  1. Get iTunes on Chromebook Using Wine
  2. Install Windows Using a Virtual Machine on Chromebook and Then Install iTunes
  3. Install Apple Music and Apple TV Android Apps on Your Chromebook
  4. Use iTunes on Your Web Browser

1. Get iTunes on Chromebook Using Wine

This is an elaborate process, but, in the end, you can actually use iTunes as an installed app. We will first enable the Chrome OS to install Linux apps. After that, we will install an application (Wine) that runs Windows apps on Linux systems. Then, we’ll install iTunes on Wine as a Windows application. Phew! Let’s get started.

1.1 Enable Linux Support on Chromebook

Make sure that your Chromebook has enough space available so Linux can work smoothly. To enable Linux on your Chrome OS:

  • Click the Time at the bottom right corner and select the Settings icon.
  • Select ‘Linux (Beta) from the side pane on Settings, and then click the ‘Turn on’ button next to ‘Linux’. If the Linux option isn’t present in the side pane, go to Settings > Advanced > Developers to turn on Linux.
Activating Linux on Chromebook from Settings
  • Linux setup will open. Click ‘Install’.
  • Enter any name you desire on the next screen as your username and the disk size Linux should occupy. Click ‘Customized’ to select any size you want.
  • Wait while Linux is installed on your Chromebook.
  • Once done installing, you can use Linux Terminal to run Linux programs.
  • Before anything, you need to update Linux to the latest version. Open Linux Terminal, copy-paste the below command, and press enter:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y

1.2 Install Wine on Your Linux Enabled Chromebook

Wine is an application for Linux operating systems that acts as a compatibility layer to install Windows apps on Linux. Why use Wine? Because iTunes is available on Windows but not on Linux.

This is why we need Wine as a Windows container. The steps for installing Wine may seem complex, but you only need to copy-paste some commands. Follow these steps:

  • Open Linux Terminal on your Chromebook and enter this command to enable 32-bit apps support because Wine is a 32-bit app.
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
  • Enter these commands and press enter after entering each one. This will add the repository key. It’s like an authentication system for downloading something.
wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key
sudo apt-key add winehq.key
  • Now, we need to install Nano Editor for editing the Sources List so your system knows where to download and install the new items (Wine). Press the enter key after each command.
sudo apt install nano
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
  • Copy the following commands and paste them to the Nano Editor. 
deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ buster main
deb https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/Emulators:/Wine:/Debian/Debian_10 ./
  • When done, we need to save the changes made. Press CTRL + X on the Nano Editor and when asked, press the ‘Y’ key and then hit enter.
  • Now, copy and paste this command on the Linux Terminal window to add the Ubuntu key server. It’s related to security.
sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys DFA175A75104960E
  • After performing the above steps, we can now install Wine. Paste these commands and press ‘Y’ if it asks for any confirmation.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable
  • Press the Search key or the Launcher key on your Chromebook to check if Wine is installed and enter ‘Wine’.

1.3 Install iTunes on Wine as a Windows App

After the successful installation of Wine, we move to the next and final step of installing iTunes on Wine. We checked both 32-bit and 64-bit versions and noticed that the 32-bit version works better on Chromebook. You can try the 64-bit version as well, but we recommend the 32-bit version of iTunes for Wine.

  • Get the 32-bit iTunes installation file from Apple. Search on Google ‘iTunes 32bit for Windows’ if the link doesn’t work.
  • Change the name for the file to ‘iTunes’ so it’s easy to write in the proceeding steps.
  • Move the iTunes setup file from ‘Downloads’ to the Linux files directory.
  • We need to change the architecture of Wine to 32-bit so it can run 32-bit applications. When entering the command, change the word LinuxUsername to the real username you used when you installed Linux on Chromebook. You can see that on your Terminal as well. The username is written before @penguin. Use this command:
WINEARCH=win32 WINEPREFIX=/home/LinuxUsername/.wine32 winecfg
  • For our final steps, paste the below command after changing LinuxUsername to your actual username and changing the iTunes file name (if you named it something other than ‘iTunes.exe’).
WINEARCH=win32 WINEPREFIX=/home/yourusername/.wine32/ wine itunes.exe
  • This will launch the iTunes installation wizard. Follow the on-screen instructions to install iTunes on your Chromebook.

1.4 Change the File Path of iTunes

You’ve installed iTunes, but its file path is not that right. This is why if you open the shortcut created in the App Drawer, it won’t work. You need to change the file path of iTunes and then create a shortcut to that path for quick access to iTunes whenever needed.

  • Open ‘My files’.
  • Select ‘Linux files’ from the side pane.
  • Click the three dots at the top right corner of the screen.
  • A menu would appear. Pick ‘Show hidden files’ from the list.
  • Many more folders would appear in your ‘Linux files’ folder.
  • Navigate to .local > Share > Applications > wine > Program Files > iTunes
  • You’ll find the iTunes file. Right-click the file and choose ‘Open with Text’.
  • It’ll open the file in a text editor.
  • Go to line 3 and paste the below text after Exec= (Remember to change LinuxUsername to your real username).
env WINEPREFIX="/home/LinuxUsername/.wine32" wine "/home/yourusername/.wine32/drive_c/Program Files/iTunes/iTunes.exe"
  • Save the file and exit.
  • Open iTunes from the App Drawer and sign in.

1.5 What’s the Performance of iTunes on Chromebook?

If installed with the above method, expect the performance to be below average whether you have a low-end or high-end Chromebook. You might experience app crashes and other issues.

2. Install Windows Using a Virtual Machine on Chromebook and Then Install iTunes

If you have a powerful Chromebook and you want the full iTunes experience without the performance issues that come with Method 1, install Windows 10/11 on your Chromebook using a virtual machine.

After installing Windows on a virtual machine, you can run iTunes on it as a native Windows app. We’ll use Oracle’s VirtualBox as the virtualization software of choice. It’s free, open-source, and available for Linux. Moreover, you need a Windows 10 or 11 key to activate Windows.

To begin, enable Linux on Chromebook following Section 1.1 above. After that, follow the below:

2.1 Install VirtualBox on Chromebook

  • Get the Debian file with the highest number from VirtualBox. (Currently, it’s Debian 11.)
VirtuaBox downloads section for Linux
  • After the download, go to the ‘Downloads’ folder.
  • Right-click the Virtualbox Debian file and select ‘Install with Linux’.
  • An installer will open. Click ‘Install’.
  • Once completed, open VirtualBox from the App Drawer.

2.2 Get the Windows ISO File from Microsoft

We need a Windows ISO image for installing Windows on VirtualBox.

  • Visit Microsoft, scroll down, and click the ‘Download tool now’ button.
Windows 10 installation media creation tool
  • After that, open the downloaded file.
  • Read and accept the license terms.
  • Select ‘Create installation media…’.
  • Choose the Windows language and architecture.
  • Select ‘ISO file’.
  • It’ll begin downloading. It may take some time.
  • When done, move the Windows ISO file from ‘Downloads’ to ‘Linux files’.

If the file doesn’t open on your Chromebook, download an ISO file directly by searching on Google ‘Windows 10 ISO file legal.

2.3 Install Windows 10 on VirtualBox

Now, we’ll install Windows 10. The images are from a Windows PC, but the steps are similar:

  • Click ‘New’.
VirtualBox app main window
  • Choose the name of the virtual machine and select ‘Windows 10.
  • Select the RAM you want the new virtual machine to acquire.
  • Choose ‘Create a Virtual Hard Disk now’ and click ‘Create’.
Create hard disk for virtual machine on VirtualBox
  • Now, click ‘Settings’.
VirtualBox app main window
  • Go to ‘Storage’ from the side panel.
  • Click the small disk icon with + on it and add the location of the Windows 10 ISO image. 
Virtual machine Settings on VirtualBox
  • Now, click ‘Start’.
VirtualBox app main window
  • Press any key from the keyboard when prompted.
  • The Windows setup will load.
  • Select your language and click ‘Next’.
Windows installation on VirtualBox
  • Choose ‘Install Now’.
  • Read and accept the terms.
  • Pick ‘Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)’.
Windows installation setup
  • Choose the drive to install Windows on.
  • Keep following the on-screen instructions.

2.4 Install iTunes on Your Windows 10

If you successfully installed Windows 10 on VirtualBox running on your Chromebook, then getting iTunes on Windows is easy.

  • Open Microsoft Store.
  • Search and install iTunes.
iTunes on Microsoft Store for Windows
  • Open iTunes and Sign in.

3. Install Apple Music and Apple TV Android Apps on Your Chromebook

If you want to quickly open iTunes on Chromebook without going through the long steps above, consider installing Apple Music and Apple TV Android apps on your Chromebook. These apps are natively available for Android and you can install them from Google Play Store.

To install Android apps on Chromebook, you need to enable Google Play Store.

  • Go to ‘Settings’.
  • From the side pane, pick ‘Apps’.
  • Turn on ‘Google Play Store’.
Google Play Store option on Chromebook settings
  • You’ll find the installation window of Google Play Store on your screen. Read the terms and click ‘More’.
  • The next page of the installation options will open, click ‘Accept’.
  • Wait a couple of minutes while Google Play Store installs on your Chromebook.
  • Once done, it’ll launch automatically.
  • Sign in if needed.
  • Search ‘Apple Music’ and install the app.
Apple Music on Google Play Store
  • Open Apple Music, sign in with your iTunes details, and access your iTunes collection on Chromebook.
  • You can also install Apple TV from Google Play Store for streaming movies and TV shows.

4. Use iTunes on Your Web Browser

If you don’t want to install anything at all, not even the Apple Music app for Android, you can use iTunes on any web browser. But there’s a condition. You must have an Apple Music subscription. Access and play your iTunes collection from Google Chrome or any browser if you do.

  • Visit Apple Music.
  • Click the ‘Sign in’ button at the top right.
  • Enter your Apple ID and password that you used for subscribing to Apple Music.
  • Use iTunes on a web browser on Chromebook.

If you can’t see your iTunes music, follow these steps:

  • Login to iTunes using a Mac or PC.
  • Make sure you’re subscribed to Apple Music.
  • Go to Edit > Preferences.
  • In the ‘General’ tab, find ‘iCloud Music Library’, and turn it on.

Conclusion

If you’re subscribed to Apple Music, simply install the Apple Music Android app on your Chromebook to stream your iTunes music. If not, use the first 2 methods to download iTunes on Chromebook.