How to transfer music from computer to ipod with itunes

How can I transfer or copy music from my computer to my iPod?

Table of Contents Show

How to Transfer Music to Your iPod from iTunes
The quick and easy way to move music from a computer to an iOS device.
Which iPod Types Does This Tutorial Cover?
How to Connect your iOS Device to iTunes
How to Transfer Music to an iOS Device
How to Manually Transfer Music to an iOS Device
How do I transfer Music from my iTunes library to my iPod?
Why can't I transfer Music from iTunes to my iPod?
How do I transfer Music from Windows 10 to my iPod?

In the official company FAQ, Apple explains that:

iPod offers three ways to transfer music from your computer. You can select one of the following update modes from the iPod Preferences menu in iTunes:
1. Automatically update all songs and playlists. This is the default mode, in which your entire music library, including playlists, is automatically synched to your iPod. If the music library on your computer exceeds the iPod storage capacity, iTunes will offer to choose a selection of songs to sync to iPod.
2. Automatically update selected playlists. With this option, iTunes automatically copies only the playlists you have selected to iPod when you connect it to the computer. This option can be selected by accessing the Music tab of the iPod settings.
3. Manually manage music. You can also choose to transfer music to iPod manually. This allows you to drag and drop individual songs and playlists from iTunes to iPod. You can find this option by accessing the Summary tab of the iPod settings.

If the number of songs on your computer exceeds the capacity of the iPod, Apple's "AutoFill" feature within iTunes will select the number of songs, audiobooks, and podcasts that fit on the iPod as directed by the user or at random.

You can also configure your iPod to appear as a hard drive on the desktop -- with the exception of the iPod touch models -- and manually drag files of any type to the iPod. Music files copied to the iPod in this way won't play on the iPod, without first copying them to a computer and importing them into iTunes, but this is useful for backing up or transporting any type of file. Please refer to "Using Your iPod as a Storage Drive" and "Putting iPod Into Disk Mode" from the Apple Support Site for more information.

Also see: How can I transfer or copy music from my iPod to my computer?

How can I transfer music or files between computers using the iPod? How can I move my iTunes music from my old computer to my new one using the iPod?

To transfer music or files between computers, you will need to use your iPod as a hard disk (please note that the iPod touch models do not support disk mode). In disk mode, you can effectively drag any file to the iPod, disconnect the iPod, connect it to another computer, and drag the file from the iPod to the second computer.

Please refer to "Using Your iPod as a Storage Disk" from the Apple Support Site for detailed instructions on how to copy legally acquired music from one computer to another using the iPod. For moving music to a new computer specifically, please refer to "Moving Music to a New Computer".

Also see:

How can I transfer or copy music from my iPod to my computer?
How can I transfer or copy music from my computer to my iPod?
Can I directly connect two iPods to each other and transfer music?

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How to Transfer Music to Your iPod from iTunes

The quick and easy way to move music from a computer to an iOS device.

Updated on December 28, 2020

One of the chief benefits of digital music is that you can carry hundreds of hours worth of music with you anywhere you go. Whether you purchased some tracks on the iTunes Store or ripped audio from a CD collection, you'll want to upload them to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod for ultimate portability.

Which iPod Types Does This Tutorial Cover?

iPod Classic. Apple

Before following this iPod syncing tutorial, you'll need to have one of the following Apple products:

iPod mini
iPod Shuffle (3rd generation or higher)
iPod nano
iPod touch
iPod classic (pictured)

When music is synced to your iOS device, any songs that iTunes finds that aren't on your computer will be deleted from the iOS device.

How to Connect your iOS Device to iTunes

Before connecting the iPhone, iPad, iPod to your computer, make sure your iTunes software is up-to-date.

Connect the device to your computer using the provided dock connector.
Launch the iTunes software.
Under the Devicessection in the left sidebar, select iPhone, iPad, or iPod, depending on which type or device you are connecting.

How to Transfer Music to an iOS Device

To transfer music using the automatic sync method, follow these steps:

In the upper left corner of the main screen, select the iPod/iPad/iPhone icon found to the right of the Music dropdown box.
Under the Options pane, select the checkbox next to Automatically sync when this iPhone/iPad/iPod is connected.
If you'd prefer more control, you can manually choose which media to add to your device by checking Manually manage music and videos. Skip to the next section to learn how to manually add music.
Take this opportunity to select any other options you may prefer. For example, you can choose to convert higher bitrate audio to save storage space, or to sync the device over Wi-Fi.
To start transferring music to your iPod or iPhone, select Sync.

How to Manually Transfer Music to an iOS Device

If you selected the Manually manage music and videos option, then follow these steps to transfer media to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.

Navigate to your iTunes Library.
To manually transfer content to your iOS device, simply drag and drop songs, albums, movies, or other media from the Library window to the appropriate iOS device listed under Devices in the left sidebar.

To select multiple tracks for transfer, select one, then hold down the Shift key—Ctrl, if you're on a PC—and press the up or down arrow to highlight several items in a row. Once highlighted, drag the entire selection to the iOS device as you would for individual tracks. You can do the same with iTunes playlists.

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How do I transfer Music from my iTunes library to my iPod?

Navigate to your iTunes Library. To manually transfer content to your iOS device, simply drag and drop songs, albums, movies, or other media from the Library window to the appropriate iOS device listed under Devices in the left sidebar.

Why can't I transfer Music from iTunes to my iPod?

Try a Different USB Port & USB Cable. Turn off iCloud Music Library (iTunes Match) on iPod and iTunes. Update iOS and iTunes to the latest version. Uncheck “Read Only” and change permissions of the files you want to sync by right-clicking the files > Properties > Uncheck “Read Only”.

How do I transfer Music from Windows 10 to my iPod?

Launch iTunes from your desktop, Start menu, or taskbar. Connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod to your computer with your Lightning to USB or 30-pin USB cable. Click the device button — it looks like a small iPhone and it is located near the top-left of the window. Click Music in the left-side menu.