You aren’t going crazy: iTunes’ Apple Music update still MIA [Update: or not]

By

iTunes 12.2
iTunes 12.2: Coming sometime that isn't right now when you need it.
Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac

If you’ve been playing around with Apple Music on your iPhone or iPad today, you might have wondered at some point what it’s like to listen to on your desktop computer.

You’ll have to keep wondering, though, because the iTunes update you need to listen to Apple Music isn’t out yet.

Apple rolled out its new music streaming platform right on schedule this morning, but the company is running a little behind on the iTunes update that will make it compatible with the new radio stations like Beats 1. It shows up in the Apple Store, but clicking on the link will get you the error message above.

And then your computer will taunt you even more because clicking on “Upgrade” takes you to Apple’s iTunes download page. There, you’ll see that iTunes 12.2, the version of the software that Apple Music needs to work, is “coming soon.”

Don’t worry, though: “Soon” might be very soon, indeed. A post on Mac’s help forums claims that the update will be out later today.

In the meantime, here’s a workaround to get Beats 1 running right now. Apparently, this only works for users in the U.S. and Australia, but try it out anyway, just in case.

    • Sign into the iTunes store with your Apple I.D.
    • Click on the Radio tab.
    • Click the “+” button to add a station.
    • Search manually for Beats 1 and click on it when it shows up on the list.
    • Listen to Beats 1.

Meanwhile, we’ll keep an eye out for that elusive iTunes update.

Update – 4:29 p.m. PT: It looks like the iTunes update went live while we were writing this post. So that’s good news, if badly timed.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.