How to transfer music from itunes to ipod on pc

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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Do you have an old iPod that's sitting around gathering dust? It might still have music you no longer possess in any other form. If that's the case, grab your old music player because you can transfer the music from your iPod to your computer.

To do so, you just need to consider your iPod as an external drive from which you can take music. Once extracted from the iPod, you can add music to your iTunes or Apple Music library and even sync it with your iPhone. We'll show you how below.

Step 1. Prevent iTunes From Automatically Syncing With Your Device

First, you'll need to make sure you can transfer the music on your iPod without iTunes or the Music app erasing it while syncing.

When you connect a device to iTunes or the Music app, the music in your library automatically syncs to your device. You cannot download music from an iPod (or iPhone or iPad) into iTunes or Music. So if you connect an iPod to your computer, the music on the device will be overwritten with what's in your iTunes or Music library.

The method for preventing iTunes from automatically syncing with your iOS device is mostly the same for Windows and Macs running Mojave or earlier:

1. Make sure to disconnect all iOS devices from your computer. Then, open iTunes on your computer. Note that iTunes for Mac requires macOS version 10.13.99 or earlier.
2. In Windows, go to Edit > Preferences. On a Mac, go to iTunes > Preferences.
3. On both platforms, click the Devices tab and check the Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically box.
4. Then click OK and close iTunes.

However, Macs running macOS Catalina and newer use Finder instead of iTunes to sync iOS devices. Because of this, you'll need to open your device in Finder and uncheck the Automatically sync when this iPhone is connected box.

Step 2. Copy Music From Your iPod to Your Computer

Now, you can connect your iPod to your computer. It should show up as a drive in File Explorer on Windows and Finder on a Mac. Open the iPod drive and navigate to the iPod_Control > Music folder. You'll see many folders labeled with an F and a number. If your iPod drive appears empty, you need to reveal hidden files and folders on your computer.

Windows users can first use Alt + V to bring up the View tab. Afterward, press the H key two times to reveal hidden items. You can then either uncheck the Hidden items box or repeat the process to hide your files.

For those using macOS, hold down Cmd + Shift + Period to toggle hidden folders on or off. Select all the folders in the iPod_Control > Music folder and copy and paste them to a location on your hard drive. This will transfer your music from your iPod to your computer. The files all have random four-letter file names.

If you're on a Windows PC, you can see the tags for each music file in File Explorer. If tags aren't visible, enable them by holding down Ctrl and right-clicking on the File Explorer's column headings, and selecting Tags.

You won't see the tags in Finder on a Mac. Later, we'll show you how to easily change the file names using the tags.

Once you've copied the files, you can eject the iPod and disconnect it. Right-click on the iPod drive in File Explorer on Windows and select Eject. Mac users should Control-click on the iPod icon on the desktop and select Eject.

Before bringing your files into iTunes on Windows, make sure you know how to import invalid MP3 files into iTunes on Windows.

Step 3. Add Music to Your iTunes Library

After transferring the music from your iPod to your computer, you can start making adjustments. First, add the music from your iPod to your iTunes library on your Windows PC or Mac. Note that your music library appears in the Apple Music app since iTunes is no longer available for macOS Catalina and newer.

By default, adding items to your iTunes library on Windows creates a reference to the file's current location. The original file remains in its current location. Thus, if you were to move the original files, iTunes would no longer see them.

You can have iTunes for Windows make a copy of each file and place them into the iTunes media folder. Moving the original files would then not affect the music in your iTunes library.

How to Centralize Your iTunes Music on Your Computer

Open iTunes for Windows and go to Edit > Preferences. Click the Advanced tab and check the Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library box. This option is checked by default in iTunes for Mac (on Mojave and earlier). Once enabled, all media added to your iTunes library from then on will copy directly to the iTunes media folder.

Now you won't have to worry about moving the original files anywhere else. Just remember, media added to your iTunes library before enabling that checkbox still links to the original media files.

How to Organize and Expand Your iTunes Library

To organize your iTunes Media folder into artist and album folders, check the Keep iTunes Media folder organized box. Again, iTunes or the Music app for Mac enables this option by default.

If you have space, it's a good idea to copy all your media files to the iTunes Media folder. That way, they're all in one location and easy to back up.

To copy the remaining media files linked to your iTunes library, go to File > Library > Organize Library. On the Organize Library dialog box, check the Consolidate files box and click OK.

To add some or all of the music from your iPod to your iTunes library, go to either File > Add File to Library or File > Add Folder to Library in iTunes for Windows. If you're using a Mac, go to File > Add to Library. Then, select the files or folder you want to add. You can also add music to iTunes by dragging music files from File Explorer or Finder to the iTunes window.

Step 4. Change or Fix Music Tags

If you need to change or fix tags on your recently added music, you can do so directly in iTunes or the Music app. You can change or fix tags for either a single song or multiple songs as needed.

Editing a Single Tag

To edit tags on Windows, right-click on the song and select Song Info. If using a Mac, hold Control and click to select Album Info.

Now, you'll see a dialog box that shows several tabs containing information about the selected song. You can edit items like the song title, artist, album, and genre.

Click the buttons at the top to view and change the different information. To go to the next song in the list, click the arrows at the bottom of the dialog box. When done editing the tags, click OK.

Editing Multiple Tags

You can also edit common information for multiple songs at the same time. Use the Shift or Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) keys to select the songs you want to edit. Then right-click on the selected songs and select Get Info.

A confirmation dialog box displays. If you don't want to see this dialog box every time, check the Do not ask me again box.

Click Edit Items to continue. Only the tags that apply to all the selected items display in the window. Click the buttons at the top to access the different types of information. Edit tags as you want and click OK.

Step 5. Create a Playlist in iTunes

If you use playlists on your iPhone, you can create them in iTunes, which will sync to your iPhone. Whether using Mac or Windows, the procedure is the same.

To create a playlist, select the songs you want in the playlist. Then right-click on the selected songs and select Add to Playlist > New Playlist.

For similar songs (such as an album), the playlist is created using the artist and album title as the name. You'll need to enter a custom name if you create a playlist from various songs. To change the playlist's name, click on the title and type a new one. You can also rearrange the songs in the playlist by dragging and dropping them to different positions.

Step 6. Transfer Music to Your iPhone

To transfer the added music to your iPhone, make sure iTunes or Finder is open and connect your device to your computer. Then click the device icon at the top of the iTunes window (or select the device in Finder on macOS Catalina and newer).

If you want to quickly sync content to your iPhone, you can use iTunes to sync your entire music library. Alternatively, it gives you the option to sync selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres.

In case you see a Replace and Sync message, remember that doing so will allow the iTunes library to replace everything on your iPhone.

To sync your entire library, click Music in the sidebar on the left under Settings. Then make sure to select Sync Music on the right and select Entire music library. Now, press the Apply button in the lower right. If syncing doesn't begin, you can press the Sync button.

Meanwhile, if you don't like iTunes, check out the best music manager apps for iOS.

Step 7. Rename the Music Files

Once you've transferred your old iPod music, you can rename the copied files. The random four-letter file names assigned to the files copied from your iPod aren't descriptive at all. On a Mac, you won't know what the songs are without adding them to iTunes or utilizing another app.

You can manually rename the files, but there's an easier way using a free tool called Mp3tag. It's a Windows program, but Mac users can use it via a workaround.

Rename Your Files With Mp3tag on Windows

On Windows, download Mp3tag and install it. To add Mp3tag to the File Explorer menu, check the Explorer Context Menu box on Choose Components screen during installation. To rename music files from your iPod, select the files in File Explorer. Then right-click on the files and select Mp3tag.

Inside the program, highlight your songs. Go to Convert > Tag - Filename or press Alt + 1. In the Tag - Filename dialog box, enter a Format string using placeholders to set up your filename scheme. For example, look at the Format string in the image below. It creates a file name with a two-digit track number, song title, artist name, and album name.

If you want to construct your own file name, you can use different format string placeholders available. Go to Help > Contents to get more info about them.

Once the manual opens in your browser, click Renaming files based on tags under Converters. Follow the manual's prompts to either use the helper menu or enter the Format string manually.

Use these to create custom file names for your music files.

Alternatives and How to Use Mp3tag on Mac

There are music tagging apps for Mac like Kid3, but they aren't as easy to use as Mp3tag. If you have macOS 10.14.6 Mojave or later, the developer of Mp3tag has a full version. However, Mac users either have to opt for a short-term trial or pay for the full app.

You can download Mp3tag for Mac from the developer's website. If you want to purchase the full version, it'll cost you $19.99.

Once it finishes downloading, add it directly to the Applications folder on your Mac and run the prepackaged application. Use the same steps above to rename music files using Mp3tag on your Mac.

If this all seems too much, try these alternatives to the Mac Music app and iTunes.

Breathing New Life: Transfer Music From an Old iPod to Your Computer

If your old iPod still charges enough to use, you can easily transfer music from that iPod to your computer with a little bit of time and effort. After all, we didn't have iCloud back in the iPod days for convenience.

After transferring music from your iPod to iTunes or your iPhone, give it a new purpose. Consider reusing your old iPod as an eBook reader or a secondary music collection holder.

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