Apple iTunes still exists, but not the way it used to

Despite the widespread shift toward streaming services like Apple Music, the iTunes Store remains operational. While Apple has largely dismantled the monolithic iTunes application across its ecosystem, replacing it with dedicated apps for music, podcasts, and TV, the digital storefront persists as a legacy platform for purchasing individual tracks and albums. Users can still access the store through the Music app on macOS and Windows, or via the iTunes Store app on iOS devices. This persistence highlights Apple's commitment to maintaining a purchase-based model for users who prefer owning their media rather than renting access through subscriptions. Although it no longer serves as the central hub for device management or media synchronization, the iTunes Store continues to function as a viable marketplace for digital content, proving that the legacy of the original iTunes brand remains deeply embedded in Apple's current digital infrastructure.