What does the UserAgent “iTunes” mean in web radio logs?
What is the UserAgent “iTunes”?
The UserAgent “iTunes” in your web radio logs indicates that your stream was played via Apple iTunes – Apple’s former central media software for music, podcasts and Internet radio.
Although iTunes has been replaced by Apple Music on newer macOS versions, it is still widely used on Windows and older Macs.
What does an iTunes UserAgent look like?
A typical log entry looks like this, for example:
iTunes/12.10.11 (Windows; Microsoft Windows 10 x64 Business Edition (Build 19045))You can see that:
- The iTunes version
- The operating system (e.g. Windows 10)
- iTunes calls up the stream directly, usually via a
.plsor.m3u file
How do listeners listen to web radio via iTunes?
In iTunes, listeners can start web radio in two ways:
- Open direct link:
Users click on a.plsor.m3u file, which iTunes then opens automatically. - Add manually:
In iTunes, you can enter a stream URL directly under “File > Open stream”.
Earlier versions even had their own integrated Internet radio directory.
What does the UserAgent “iTunes” mean?
If “iTunes” appears in your logs, this means:
- Your listener is using iTunes on a desktop system
- Access is usually deliberate and targeted
- These are often Windows users or older Macs
- The player expects classic stream formats such as MP3 and AAC, usually via HTTP or HTTPS
Conclusion: iTunes stands for targeted desktop use
The UserAgent “iTunes” indicates that your stream has been opened via Apple’s classic media player – usually on desktop systems. Use is less frequent today than in the past, but is often associated with longer listening times and targeted use.