Why will my copy of iTunes expire in 77 hours??

I'm freaking out: I just launched iTunes on my Mac and it popped up a window saying "This copy of iTunes will expire in 77 hours". WTH? How can my copy of iTunes expire? I'm running Mac OS X 10.6.2, if that makes a difference...

Dave's Answer:

Deep breath, it's okay. What's happened is that somehow you have ended up with a beta version of iTunes on your computer and it needs to be replaced by the production version. Most likely, you're an iPhone developer and were playing with early release firmware for the phone: when I was testing iOS4 for my iPhone, I had to upgrade to a beta version of iTunes for full compatibility. A few weeks later, the app started to complain that it was going to expire.

I kinda freaked out too, honestly, until I remembered that it was a beta copy.

Here's what I saw with my beta copy of iTunes when it started to complain:

The solution? Download a new copy of iTunes! That's it.

Start here: iTunes download link.

Make sure your old copy of iTunes isn't running and the new version will install over it. Go through the installation steps and the first time you launch iTunes you'll see a different message, one requiring you to agree to the iTunes license terms. Click on "Agree" and... problem solved!

Categorized: Mac OS X Help (Article 9488, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: apple itunes, beta software, itunes beta
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Comments

I've seen messages like that before with beta/pre-release/release-candidate versions. However, the message usually says it's beta/whatever, and includes a link to get the latest version. I can definitely see how that particular message would freak people out.

Posted by: Ken B at June 28, 2010 7:17 AM

Thanks my problem is solved now.

Posted by: Technoriztic at September 6, 2011 10:33 AM

thanx!

Posted by: Reinhard Jung at October 12, 2011 5:45 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!