The app Library on iOS devices has gone through some changes in recent versions of iOS that may have some users wondering where it went. In this article, we’ll take a quick look at the history of the Library app, when and why it went away, and what has replaced it in the latest versions of iOS.
What was the Library app?
The Library app was introduced in early versions of iOS as a central place to access all of your content purchased from the iTunes Store. This included music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and more. The Library provided a unified view of all your purchased media content.
When you downloaded a song, video, book or other content from the iTunes Store, it would be added to your Library automatically. You could then go into the Library app to play, watch or read that content. It provided a dedicated space just for your iTunes media.
When did the Library app go away?
The Library app remained largely unchanged for many years, until iOS 9 in 2015. In iOS 9, Apple began breaking up the functionality of the Library into separate, more specialized apps.
Music was spun off into the new Apple Music app, providing access to both your purchased music library and the Apple Music streaming catalog. Likewise, videos were shifted over to the new TV app, which became the central place to access your purchased video content as well as TV channels through Apple TV channels.
The shift away from a dedicated Library app continued in subsequent iOS updates. In iOS 10, audiobooks were moved to the Books app. In iOS 11, podcasts were given their own Podcasts app. By iOS 12 in 2018, the Library app itself was removed entirely from the home screen.
Why did Apple remove the Library app?
There were a few likely reasons behind Apple’s decision to retire the Library app in favor of separate, media-specific apps:
- Specialization – Individual apps tailored specifically for music, video, books and other media types allow for optimized user experiences for each kind of content.
- Simplicity – Eliminating the Library app decluttered the iOS home screen and simplified the process of finding content.
- Promotion – Dedicated apps provide more opportunities to highlight new content and services like Apple Music.
- New platforms – Apps like Apple TV and Podcasts extended media platforms beyond just purchased iTunes content.
While longtime iOS users may have appreciated the hub that Library provided, the increasing complexity of Apple’s media offerings likely made the all-in-one approach less tenable.
What replaced the Library app?
So where did all that Library content go? Here is a quick look at the main iOS apps that have absorbed the various Library functions:
Music
The Music app is now the central location for both your purchased music library and Apple Music songs and playlists. Your full music library is accessible by tapping on the Library tab within the Music app.
TV
All of your previous iTunes video purchases and rentals can now be viewed in the TV app. The Library tab in TV provides access to your collection of movies and TV shows.
Books
The Apple Books app now houses both your audiobook and eBook libraries. Your full collection is viewable by tapping Library in the Books app.
Podcasts
Your subscribed podcasts and downloaded episodes live in the Podcasts app. A Library tab shows your full collection of podcast subscriptions.
Photos
While not strictly Library content, your photos and videos purchased from iTunes are now found in the Photos app along with those taken on your device’s camera. The For You tab shows your full media collection.
Finding your purchased content
If you are unsure where some of your previous iTunes store purchases now reside in iOS, here are a few tips for tracking them down:
- Check all the media apps mentioned above and look for a Library tab.
- Search across your device using the device-wide Search feature.
- View your purchase history in your Apple ID account information.
- Use iTunes on a desktop computer to view your full Purchase History.
While the unified Library is gone, all of that content is still accessible across the various iTunes media apps in iOS. It just may take some relearning to find it all.
The future of the Library
The Library as a singular app for iOS may not come back any time soon. However, features like Family Sharing help restore some of that centralization across different media types and users. It is possible we could see further unification of your purchased and subscription content across apps in the future.
For now, apps like Music, TV, Books and Podcasts are the best way to access your iTunes media library. And you can still utilize iTunes on the desktop as a centralized portal if desired. The Library lives on, just in a more distributed model across the iOS ecosystem.
Conclusion
To summarize:
- The Library app provided a unified view of iTunes media purchases until iOS 9.
- Apple gradually moved content into specialized apps for music, video, books, etc.
- The Library app was removed entirely in iOS 12.
- Purchased content is now found in the media apps: Music, TV, Books, Podcasts.
- Family Sharing and iTunes on the desktop can still provide Library centralization.
So for iOS users wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it has been split across several robust media apps tailored for each content type. Your purchases are still safely in your iOS ecosystem, just accessible through a different digital doorway.
| Media Type | Current iOS App |
|---|---|
| Music | Music |
| Movies & TV | TV |
| Audiobooks | Books |
| eBooks | Books |
| Podcasts | Podcasts |
This table summarizes where the different types of media purchased from iTunes now reside within dedicated iOS apps.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.
The Library app was a fixture of early iOS versions, providing iPhone and iPad users with a centralized hub for their media purchases. While its dissolution may have been confusing to some, the functions have been largely replaced with specialized apps tailored to each content form. Music, movies, podcasts and more still live on your device – they just exist behind different doors. So for those wondering “where did the Library go?”, the answer is it evolved into various other iOS apps, keeping your collection intact but giving each media type a home of its own.