Tips

Pick the songs on your iPod by hand

If you don’t want to automatically sync your iPod with your iTunes Library, with your iPod connected to your computer, click the iPod options button, and select Manually manage songs and playlists. Now you can add songs to your iPod by just dragging songs from your iTunes Library to the iPod icon. You can also add an entire playlist by dragging it to your iPod.

Sync your iPod with specific playlists

You might want to sync your iPod with only certain playlists. For example, if your iTunes Library is too big to fit on your iPod, you can create playlists containing only songs that are perfect for your workout. With your iPod connected to your computer, click the iPod options button, and then choose Automatically update selected playlists only. Choose from any of the playlists and Smart Playlists in your iTunes Library. Now when you sync your iPod, it will only update songs from the playlists you selected.

Updating songs on your iPod

When you select your iPod from the iTunes source list, you’ll see all the songs stored on your iPod, along with the amount of space being used. The songs appear dimmed because iTunes is set to automatically update the songs on your iPod. To change the songs on your iPod you’ll first need to make the changes in iTunes. Then, select the iPod, go to the File menu and choose update iPod.

Connecting your iPod to another computer

You can only link your iPod to one computer at a time. If you connect your iPod to a different computer than usual, you’ll see a message asking if you want to change the link to this copy of iTunes. If you choose "Yes," all of the songs that are currently on your iPod will be deleted and replaced with songs from the computer you are connecting to. If you choose "No," songs on your iPod will not be deleted but you won’t be able to play or add songs from this computer when your iPod is set to automatically sync with your iTunes Library. You can change to manually sync your iPod by clicking the iPod options button, and selecting Manually manage songs and playlists. Now you’ll be able to add any songs you want to this iPod by just dragging them to the iPod icon in iTunes.

Transfer music from your iPod to another computer

Even though you can't automatically transfer songs from your iPod to another computer, you can set up your iPod as a removable hard drive to move your music to another computer. To learn how to do this, see Move Your Music to Another Computer.

Find your iPod serial number

If you need to contact support and need your iPod serial number, you can find it by just connecting your iPod to your computer, and then opening iTunes. Select your iPod from the iTunes Source list, and then click the iPod Options button. Click the version number in the top right corner of the window to see your serial number. If you’re unable to connect your iPod to your computer for some reason, open iTunes Preferences, and click the iPod tab. Click the "No iPod connected" text, and the serial number of the last iPod connected to your computer will appear.

iPod Service and Support

For additional help with your iPod, check out the iPod Service and Support site. You’ll find the latest downloads, helpful articles, documentation, discussion groups, and frequently asked questions. You can also check out the iPod tutorial for more information to help you learn how to use your iPod.

Steps

Set up your computer to automatically sync music to your iPod

1. Before you can sync music to your iPod, make sure both iTunes and the iPod Software are installed on your computer. If this software isn’t installed, download the latest version of iTunes from http://www.apple.com/itunes/ and the latest iPod software from http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/.
2. When you’re finished with the installation, open iTunes on your PC from Start > Programs > iTunes > iTunes. Open iTunes on your Mac by clicking the iTunes icon in your Dock.
3. Connect the iPod using the cable it came with. (If you have an iPod shuffle, connect it directly to your computer's USB port.
4. Notice that your iPod appears in the Source List on the left side of the iTunes window.
5. Watch as songs automatically sync from your iTunes Library to your iPod.
6. Notice the "Do not disconnect" message in the iTunes window and on your iPod. While this message is displayed, iTunes is transferring files to your iPod.
7. When iTunes has finished syncing music to your iPod, the iTunes window, and the main menu on your iPod will indicate that the update is complete.
8. Click the eject button next to the iPod in the Source list, disconnect your iPod, and you’re ready to listen to music.