Re-enabling the Sidebar in iTunes 11
By Jesse Hollington
Social Media & Software Editor, iLoungeGoogle+
Published: Thursday, December 6, 2012
Tips Categories: iTunes
iTunes 11 introduces a significantly new user interface design, with the long-standing left sidebar essentially replaced by a set of drop-down menus. If you’re more comfortable with the classic sidebar, however, the good news is that you can very easily turn it back on simply by going to the View menu and choosing the Show Sidebar option. This returns you to a somewhat more traditional iTunes interface, along with the added bonus that the colourful pre-iTunes 10 icons have returned. Note that the UI in this mode is actually a hybrid of the standard iTunes sidebar with the newer iTunes 11 layouts in the main panel, so you won’t get everything back from the classic interface, but it should definitely be a big help for experienced users having difficulty finding their way around the new version. Note that the status bar can also be toggled back on from the View menu if you’re wondering what’s happened to the totals previously found at the bottom of each screen.
Recent Tips
- Updating Apps in iTunes 11.0.3
- Creating or Importing your own Ringtones into iTunes
- Identifying and Removing Device Backups in iTunes
- Quickly copy selected tracks to a folder
- Purchasing Videos on iOS for later download in iTunes
- Renting movies in iTunes for more flexibility
- Disabling iTunes in the Cloud Content
- Filtering Playlists with the Column Browser
- Enabling Composers View in iTunes 11.0.2
- Choosing your preferred video resolution in iTunes
- Showing Duplicate Items in iTunes 11
- Disabling Live Search in iTunes 11
- Hiding Purchased Books in iBooks 3
- Sharing Photo Streams as a Web Site
- Downloading Genius Mixes from iTunes Match
- Removing Devices from iTunes in the Cloud
- Manually Backing up your iOS device
- Sorting and Filtering Apps in iTunes
- Hiding Categories in the iTunes Source List
- Filtering Content Listings in iTunes sync settings
- Taking control of iTunes’ visualizer from the keyboard
- Changing your Apple ID email address
- Forcing an iOS device to Update or Restore
- Enabling Closed Captioning on iOS and iTunes
- Showing links to library in iTunes Ping listings
- Boost iTunes’ automatic conversion bit rate
- Hiding app purchases in iTunes in the Cloud
- Freeing up space in iTunes by deleting SD TV shows
- Finding iTunes U content on an iOS device
- Top Tips of 2011
- See all Tips. »
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- LifeProof debuts Frē case for iPad mini
- Logitech debuts Wired Keyboard for iPad
- New Apple online store design alters focus, hides deals
- Apps: ABC Aquarium, Disney Jr. Appisodes, Pinterest 2.4 + Pocket Informant Pro 3.0
- Report: iOS 7 could see Flickr, Vimeo integration
- Apple CEO Cook testifies on taxes, faces Senate critics
- Google Play Music All Access to get iOS app support?
- Senate subcommittee accuses Apple of tax avoidance
- AT&T: All video chat apps will work over cellular in 2013
- Apple releases testimony before CEO’s Senate appearance
Recent Reviews
- Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity & Sleep Wristband
- Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 + 200 Bluetooth + AirPlay Wireless Speakers
- Mophie Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 5
- Ultimate Ears UE Boom
- Trü Protection Trü-Fit Anti-Glare Film Set
- New Trent iCarrier IMP120D Dual USB Power Pack
- BlueFlame 2M Charge and Sync Cable with Lightning Connector
- HMDX Jam Party Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Speaker
- Logitech Harmony Ultimate Universal Remote Control
- MyCharge Freedom 2000 Battery Case for iPhone 5
Recent Articles
- Inability to use Find My Friends without a passcode
- Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore
- Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone
- Setting up a ringtone in iTunes
- Using a Wi-Fi hard drive with an iPad
- Backing up and restoring an iPod classic
- Can’t restore iPod touch without passcode
- Retaining older versions of Apps during an iOS Restore
- Can’t eject iPod nano without closing Firefox
- Can’t change iTunes Apple ID to iCloud e-mail address
1
I gave it four days. I had a bunch of movies and songs to import so it gave me a lot of time to get to know the new layout.
Hate it. Turned on the side bar again and it feels slightly better. I’m definitely an Apple fan girl but I loathe iTunes.
Posted by Kristin on December 6, 2012 at 2:49 PM (PST)
2
The biggest flop part of them removing the side bar is not so much that sidebar itself is gone, it’s that they wound up going with a “un-Apple” UI that is no longer nearly as efficient.
Want to initiate a sync with your device? Well, there’s a button near the top right that will open up a tab with a button on the bottom right to do it, then you can un-intuitively click “done” to return to your library. So much for just right-clicking the device to sync.
Want to see how many new podcasts you have? Well, first select the Podcast category from the drop down menu near the top left, now select the “unplayed” tab near the middle.
Want to see what is downloading? Click another button at the very top right.
Want to go the store? Click a button not quite at the top right.
Everything used to be right there in the same place, and everything not there was in one of the file menu options right above the sidebar. Now things are all over the place, take more actions on your part to navigate to, and the file menu is hidden by default…
They could have easily used the top bar to replace the side bar but, for some reason, chose to do this instead.
Posted by Code Monkey in Midstate New York on December 10, 2012 at 1:42 PM (PST)
3
the new interface is totally unusable for me: i am unable to download songs to my ipod, which is the whole reason for itunes imho. Jobs died and so did apple. All good things must come to an end. :(
Posted by dj33 on December 23, 2012 at 5:39 PM (PST)
4
I can’t find the traditional sidebar to drag purchased or cd music tomy iPod.
Help
Posted by Doug on March 6, 2013 at 5:18 AM (PST)
5
iTunes is a piece of software that was sent up to us straiught from Hell. I hate this thing.
Posted by Edilson on April 20, 2013 at 7:38 AM (PST)
6
Author missed to mention the first step, which is applicable to the iTunes I just downloaded:
Top/left click on the icon/drop down menu:
Show Menu Bar (ctrl+b)-> when menu bar appears click View -> Show Sidebar (ctrl+s)
Cheers!
Posted by Likkojisedi on April 20, 2013 at 1:53 PM (PST)