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 dummies sonny dickson

iPhone 17 Air Almost as Thin as Its Buttons, New Images Show

Thursday April 24, 2025 2:14 am PDT by
If you missed the video showing dummy models of Apple's all-new super thin iPhone 17 Air that's expected later this year, Sonny Dickson this morning shared some further images of the device in close alignment with the other dummy models in the iPhone 17 lineup, indicating just how thin it is likely to be in comparison. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be around 5.5mm thick – with a thicker ...
iphone 17 air dummy unbox therapy

iPhone 17 Air's Extreme Thinness Demoed in New Video

Tuesday April 22, 2025 10:22 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an all-new super thin iPhone this year, debuting it alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. We've seen pictures of dummy models, cases, and renders with the design, but Lewis Hilsenteger of Unbox Therapy today showed off newer dummy models that give us a better idea of just how thin the "iPhone 17 Air" will be. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be ...
AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 13 New Features

Wednesday April 23, 2025 8:31 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
ipad air windows 11 arm

M2 iPad Air Runs Windows 11 ARM via Emulation, Thanks to EU Rules

Tuesday April 22, 2025 5:01 am PDT by
A developer has demonstrated Windows 11 ARM running on an M2 iPad Air using emulation, which has become much easier since the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations came into effect. As spotted by Windows Latest, NTDev shared an instance of the emulation on social media and posted a video on YouTube (embedded below) demonstrating it in action. The achievement relies on new EU regulatory...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Launching Later This Year With These 16 New Features

Thursday April 24, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, a...
Global Close Your Rings Day Pin

Apple Stores Giving Away a Limited-Edition Pin For Free Today

Thursday April 24, 2025 10:15 am PDT by
Starting today, April 24, Apple Stores around the world are giving away a special pin for free to customers who request one, while supplies last. Photo Credit: Filip Chudzinski The enamel pin's design is inspired by the Global Close Your Rings Day award in the Activity app, which Apple Watch users can receive by closing all three Activity rings today. The limited-edition pin is the physical...
Apple Logo Spotlight Blue

White House Hits Back at Apple's Massive EU Fine

Thursday April 24, 2025 5:57 am PDT by
Apple's $570 million fine from the EU has triggered a sharp rebuke from the White House, which called the fine a form of economic extortion, Reuters reports. The fine was announced on Wednesday by the European Commission, following a formal investigation into Apple's compliance with the bloc's Digital Markets Act (DMA), a landmark piece of legislation aimed at curbing the market dominance of ...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...

Top Rated Comments

Captain Nougat Avatar
56 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
56 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
56 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
56 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
56 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
56 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)