While ChromeOS excels in simplicity and speed, the absence of a native iTunes application may seem like a significant drawback. Nevertheless, there are ways to bypass this limitation. In this article, we’ll explore several methods for getting iTunes up and running on your Chromebook, thus bringing your favorite media content to the versatile ChromeOS environment. Despite the lack of native support, there are workarounds to run iTunes on a Chromebook. They include:
Use Wine to Install iTunes on a Chromebook
Since ChromeOS is based on Linux, its Linux capabilities can be harnessed to install Wine, which facilitates installing Windows apps like iTunes on Linux. The installation process involves several steps (as outlined below). Ensure that you have created an iTunes account beforehand, if you don’t already have one.
Enable the Linux Feature on Chromebook and Update It
Install Wine on Chromebook and Enable Support for 32-Bit Applications
Download the iTunes 32-bit Version
Install the Wine 32-bit Version of iTunes
Create an iTunes Shortcut
If you prefer a quicker way to access iTunes than from the Applications folder, you can create a shortcut on your Chromebook.
Use the iTunes Website
If the aforementioned Wine method feels too complex or didn’t work for you, and your primary interest lies in streaming music from iTunes, then consider using the iTunes website directly. You might find it convenient to create a shortcut to the website on your Chrome browser. Below, we’ll demonstrate how to add a shortcut for the Music page of the Apple website.
Import iTunes Music to YouTube Music
Some users may prefer to transfer their iTunes music library to YouTube Music in order to utilize the Google ecosystem. To do this, you need to perform the following steps on a PC:
Use a Virtual Machine Application
For users who desire the full iTunes experience on a Chromebook (especially if Wine didn’t suit their needs), a virtual machine application is an excellent choice. There are several options available, such as Parallel Desktop for ChromeOS (which is paid), but we will focus on the process for using VirtualBox. Keep in mind that many Chromebooks with ARM processors may not be able to run virtual machines effectively, whereas Intel-based Chromebooks are likely to handle them with fewer issues. Before starting, ensure you have downloaded a Windows ISO file if you have a high-end Chromebook at hand, or choose a lightweight Linux distribution if needed. Additionally, verify that your Chromebook has enough space to accommodate the guest operating system for the virtual machine. Please note that running virtual machines can be demanding and may not be suitable for all Chromebooks due to potential performance impacts.
