There is simply no way to transfer music from iPod to Mac using iTunes (except purchased music). Automatic iTunes sync is pretty much a one-way experience. By default, the iPod mirrors the contents of the iTunes library. Connect your iPod to PC with a USB cable and Trust the PC. Launch iTunes on your PC. Click 'File' option to choose 'Devices' 'Transfer Purchases from your iPhone name 'to sync your purchased music to the iTunes library. Now you can transfer your music from iPod to PC. Part 1: Transfer Music from iPod to Computer Free via Phone Transfer Third-party programs are one of the simplest and quickest ways to freely transfer data from an iPod to a computer. With the vast choices available on the Internet, it can be a challenge to find the best and most efficient in getting the job done.
The original iPod was released in 2001, which is almost two decades ago. Since then, hundreds of millions of iPods have been sold.
Many MP3 players had been released way beforethe iPod showed up though, but its debut on the market made the MP3 player amust-have device.
If you’re one of the many privileged people tohave owned an iPod since Apple unveiled it, you probably still have some ofyour favorite music collections stored there, whether or not you still use it.
Your old music may not be readily available in any other form, but you can transfer the music from your iPod to your computer. We’re going to show you different ways of doing it.
You can transfer songs from your iPod to aWindows PC or Mac by connecting it to your computer and following a few stepsas we’ll see below, or by using iPod transfer software.
How to Transfer Music From iPod To Windows PC
The first step is toprevent iTunes from automatically syncing with your iPod so that it doesn’toverwrite the music on the device with the iTunes library collection.
- To do this, disconnect any iOS device from your PC and launch iTunes. Go to Edit > Preferences.
- Click Devices taband click the Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automaticallybox to select it.
- Click OK and exitfrom iTunes.
- Next, connect your iPod to your PC. It’ll appear as a drive in File Explorer. Open its drive and go to iPod_Control > Music folder.
- If the drive comes up empty, you can reveal the hidden folders and files on your computer.
- Still on the iPod_Control > Music folder, select all the folders in it, and then copy and paste them to your hard drive. This way, the music will be moved from your iPod to your computer.
Note: The music files from your iPod have four-letter names, and you can see each of their tags in File Explorer. Once you import the music to a media player of your choice, it’ll reinstate the song titles as they should appear.
- Once the files have been copied to your computer’s hard drive, go to File Explorer and right-click on the iPod drive.
- Select Eject to remove your iPod and disconnect it from the computer.
- You can add songs to your iTunes library on your PC by going to File > Add Folder to Library in iTunes for Windows.
- If you want your music to be copied directly to the iTunes media folder, you can enable this setting by opening iTunes and then clicking Edit>Preferences.
- Under the Advanced tab, find and check the Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library box.
This allows you to movethe original files anywhere else without worrying about losing them. Any filesyou added to the library before enabling the checkbox will still link to theoriginal files.
How to Transfer Music From iPod To Mac
Before you transfermusic from your iPod to a Mac, you need to disable syncing so that the media playerwon’t try to sync with your iPod and overwrite all the data on it. This happensbecause your music library on the Mac computer may not have some or all thesongs and other files that the iPod contains, and you’ll eventually have aniPod with the same missing music or files.
To disable syncing, makesure there’s no iOS device connected to your Mac and open iTunes from the Applicationsmenu.
- In iTunes, select Preferences >Devices and then check the Prevent iPods and iPhones from syncing automatically box and then click OK.
- Exit iTunes and then hold down Option + Command keys. Plug your iPod into the Mac and release the keys when your iTunes launches with a dialog box informing you it’s in safe mode.
- Close it to quit iTunes.Your iPod is now mounted on your Mac desktop without syncing it with iTunes.
- Next, unmount your iPodto make the files visible. If you try to open the iPod icon on the desktop asis, you won’t see the music files. Instead, you’ll see Calendars, Contacts andNotes folders.
- The folders with youriPod music files are hidden, but you can make them visible using the OS XTerminal command line interface.
- To do this, go to Applications/Utilitiesand open Terminal.
- Type the command belowand press the return key after entering each line.:
defaults writecom.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
killall Finder
The first line is acommand to display all the files, while the second one refreshes Finder for thechanges to be effected. Your desktop may disappear and reappear duringexecution of these two commands, so don’t worry when that happens; it’s normal.
By entering these twolines, the Finder on your Mac will display all the hidden files on thecomputer.
You can now locate yourmusic files from your iPod through Finder by clicking the iPod’s name or bydouble-clicking the iPod icon mounted on your desktop.
- Open iPod Controlfolder and then open the music folder that contains your music and othermedia files on the iPod. Like Windows, the names of the files may not berecognizable, but their internal ID3 tags are intact, so any program includingiTunes that can read such tags can reinstate the song titles for you.
- Copy the music to yourMac using Finder, and drag-and-drop them to your preferred location or a newfolder on the desktop.
- Next, unmount your iPodfrom the desktop and then add the music files to your iTunes library. To dothis, click on the iTunes window once, and click Cancel on the iTunesdialog box.
- Click the Ejectbutton in the iTunes sidebar next to your iPod’s name to unmount your iPod.Disconnect the iPod from your Mac.
- To transfer your musicto the iTunes library on your Mac computer, select Preferences from theiTunes menu and then click the Advanced tab.
- Check the boxes Keep iTunes Music folder organized and Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library and click OK.
- In the iTunes File menu, click Add to Library, and go to the folder with the iPod music files you copied from the device.
- Click Open. The files will now be copied to the iTunes library, plus read the ID3 tags that will reinstate the song titles and other details like album, artist, genre and more.
- Once you’re done, make all the hidden files and folders invisible by using the Terminal command below and pressing the return key after entering each line
defaults writecom.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE
killall Finder
Note:Apple’s FairPlay DRM system is still intact so authorize any music you bought from iTunes store before playing it.
TransferiPod Music to Your Computer Using iPod Transfer Software
There are severalsoftware programs you can use to transfer your iPod music to a computer, butfiguring out which one to use can be a daunting task. You need to find one thatcombines the features you need, and good transfer speed at a reasonable price.
Some of the best iPod transfer software programs you can try for this purpose include CopyTrans, iRip, or TouchCopy. CopyTrans offers an all-round experience when transferring your songs and other content on your iPod to your computer. It’s relatively fast when moving files, and it copies metadata.
- iRip can also help you move your music files from iPod to computer. Plus, you can move iBooks files, videos, podcasts and more. It’s also fast and can handle metadata.
- TouchCopy is a feature-packed that can help you transfer your music and other media files and data though its transfer speeds aren’t that good.
Aug 05,2019 • Filed to: iPod Music Transfer • Proven solutions
Want to learn how to transfer music from iPod to iTunes on Mac? It’s actually not as complicated as it might appear at first. Of course, you’re going to have to get past the limits imposed by iTunes. However, there’s a very easy trick that we’re going to be teaching you in order to skip that altogether! Make sure to continue reading till the end in order to be introduced to a variety of different programs that you can use to transfer your iPod music onto iTunes!
Part 1. The Most Helpful Way to Transfer Music from iPod to iTunes on Mac [100% Work]
Our first demonstration will be focused on introducing you to how you can use a music transfer program so that you can transfer music from iPod to iTunes on Mac without actually using iTunes! For this step-by-step break down we’re going to go with a software called iMusic. It is, undoubtedly, the best of the best when it comes to quickly and efficiently transferring music from device to iTunes. It’s pretty easy to use too — be it on a Mac or Windows computer.
iMusic - The Most Helpful Way to Tranfer Music from iPod to iTunes on Mac/Windows
- Transfer songs from ipod to iTunes on both Mac & Windows Easily.
- 1-click to backup iPad music to iTunes Library/Mac.
- Transfer music from Mac/PC/iTunes to iPhoneXR/XS/8/8plus/Android phone easily.
- Download music from over 3000 music sites, including download YouTube to MP3.
- Record music from any radio stations with music tag, covers, album name attached.
- Built-in library collected thousands of songs for free download.
Key Features of iMusic
- Available on both Mac and Windows OS.
- Quick and Easy two-way transfers between iPod and iTunes.
- Premium Toolkit for managing manual transfers.
- Device to Device transfer available.
- Full back up and restoration support.
Steps to Transfer Music from iPod to iTunes on Mac Free
Step 1 — Connect Device!
After installing and starting up iMusic (which you can download from here.) You’ll have to connect your device to your PC. iMusic is pretty helpful when it comes with what to do from there. Just select the “DEVICE” tab from the menu and follow the instructions on the page.
After connecting your iPod to your PC, click the 'Device'icon (marked in the image below) in order to access your options.
Step 2 — Approve Access
If this is the first time you’re going to be moving files from your iPod to your PC then you might need to approve its access. It’s not too difficult, after connecting your device to your PC, simply select the Trust this computer option on the pop-up that appears on your iPod screen.
Step 3 — Transfer Music to iTunes
Once your PC has been approved for access, iMusic should have changed to show your iPod (as is shown below.) Your options from here on out will also be offered on the right-hand side of the screen. Of course, for our purposes today — transferring music from iPod to iTunes…You need to select the “Transfer Music to iTunes” option.
Step 4 — Device & iTunes Scan!
Next up, in order to prevent any duplication of songs or data, you will need to allow iMusic to scan your iPod and iTunes library. To do this, simply click the Start button that appears on the secondary window called “Copy from Device to iTunes.”
Step 5 — Copy to iTunes
After the scan is complete, you’ll be able to choose from the non-duplicated items on your iPod that you want to move onto your iTunes library. Simply select or de-select items as needed. Then, finish it up by clicking the “Copy to iTunes” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
Part 2. The Free Way to Transfer Music from iPod to iTunes on Mac
Before we introduce you to other transfer programs, let’s go over how to transfer music from iPod to iTunes Mac with the actual iTunes software first. Just so that you can see the difference between the two methods. It’s actually not that difficult if all the items on your iPod music library were purchased from the Apple Music store. However, if that is not the case, you actually won’t be able to move it at all. Key features of the iTunes program include:
- Made specifically for handling Apple Music.
- Multiple sync methods — traditional cable, iCloud, Wi-Fi Sync, etc.
- Automatic transfer of purchases from iPod to iTunes.
- Automatic and Manual transfer available for iTunes to iPod transfer.
- Available on both Mac and Windows OS .
Steps to Use the Free Way to Tranfer Music from iPod to iTunes on Mac
Step 1 — Transfer Purchases
As was mentioned previously, iTunes does have a fairly simple feature that you can use to transfer music from iPod to iTunes. However, this feature only works for songs that you purchase on Apple Music — songs from other sources will not be transferred at all.
To automatically transfer Apple Music purchases from iPod to iTunes, right-click your device under the “Devices” section and select the “Transfer Purchases” option.
Step 2 — Automatic Sync
If your iPod has any Apple Music purchases that are not already on your iTunes library, then it should automatically be transferred after the Sync. However, if the music from your iPod were not Apple Music purchases, they will not be transferred.
Step 3 — Non-Apple Music Transfer
There is a way of “transferring” non-Apple Music items. However, it will involve actually purchasing (or re-purchasing it) through the Apple Music Store.
The simplest way to do this is to access your device’s library, which can be done by selecting the Device icon at the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Step 4 — Show in iTunes Store
Once moved, select the Music option under “On My Device.” That will pull up all the music on your iPod. The only thing left after that is to select the song you want to transfer, right-click, and then choose the “Show in iTunes Store” option under the drop-down menu.
Again, this is not actually a transfer method so much as a “re-purchase” song from your iPod method.
Part 3. Other 5 Ways to Transfer Music from iPod to iTunes on Mac Without any Hassles
As promised, we’re going to be introducing you to a couple of other programs that you can use to transfer your songs from iPod to iTunes on a Mac PC. These will all be a bit similar to iMusic. At least, in the sense that they are all data transfer programs and can handle two-way transfers between iTunes and iPod. Of course, we’ve included everything else you need to know about each software as well. Including the cost of each program, how they work, and the pros and cons of using one or the other.
1. dr.fone - Transfer (iOS)
URL:https://drfone.wondershare.com/ios-transfer.html
Price: $39.95 per year
For the first program on our list, we have dr.fone. It’s been around for quite a while, but it’s been able to continue improving as the years' pass and now it looks sleeker than ever! It’s a bit of a beast, offering advanced and premium features one after another. Despite that, it does still manage to be somewhat intuitive. It’s just a matter of cost and complexity that you have to consider. Especially because it’s under a subscription program.
Pros:
- Sleek design created for maximum efficiency.
- Advanced and Premium data transfer and device management tools.
- Quick and Efficient two-way transfer between iPod and iTunes.
Cons:
- A free trial is available, but it is limited.
- EXPENSIVE subscription cost — $39.95 per year.
- The complexity of the numerous tools might not be suited for certain beginners.
2. Senuti
URL:http://senuti.org/ Adobe photoshop elements 11 dmg.
Price: FREE
The complete opposite of dr.fone is Senuti. It’s very simplistic, offering only what it needs to offer and leaving out anything that is unnecessary. It was created to be a Mac-only program, and that really shows with its interface. Of course, just like the other transfer software on this list, it will allow you to transfer data between your iPod and iTunes library. However, its benefits don’t go past that, which is something you might prefer or not prefer — depending on how you like to transfer your data.
Pros:
- Complete FREE Program.
- Efficient two-way transfers between iPod and iTunes.
- Video and Podcast support is also available.
Cons:
Ipod To Mac Transfer Free
- Very basic design.
- Lacking in advanced or premium transfer tools.
- Very limited interfacing.
3. Syncios
URL: https://www.syncios.com/data-transfer/
Price: $29.95
Syncios manages to be completely multi-functional despite the fact that it started out as a fairly basic program. It’s definitely a lot richer in features than Senuti (but a tad bit less packed than dr.fone), and the only reason it’s not the number 2 is because of its price. It manages to be one of the cheaper transfer programs available right now, but it still doesn’t quite beat the FREE Mac-only program that is Senuti.
Pros:
- Efficient and automatic two-way transfer between iPod and iTunes.
- Full data recovery options.
- Premium toolkit for advanced transfer management.
Cons:
- A free trial is available however it is quite limited.
- The full program costs $29.95 .
- There are also reports that non-music data transfer tools don’t work as well and can end up being quite buggy or laggy.
4. Tenorshare iCareFone
How To Transfer Music From Ipod To Mac For Free Windows 10
URL:https://www.tenorshare.com/products/icarefone.html
Price: $39.95 per year (Subscription-based) OR Full-License for $49.95
iCareFone is actually extremely similar to the software that precedes it on this list. The only difference is the fact that iCareFone offers just a tad bit more when it comes to data-transfer features. It was built to be very simplistic, similar to iMusic in fact so that there would be no confusion as to what you can do with it. It’s also amazingly efficient when it comes to actual data-transfers. The only downside, again, is the cost.
Pros:
- Efficient with multiple-types of data-transfer procedures.
- Full restoration tools available in case of data corruption .
- Premium toolbox with advanced tools for management of transferred data.
Cons:
- A FREE trial is available but is limited.
- The cost of the subscription is at $39.95 per year, while the cost of the full license is at $49.95 — definitely more expensive than some of the other options available.
- The interface is not as clean or sleek as it could be — especially when considering the premium price.
5. iMyFone TunesMate
URL:https://www.tenorshare.com/products/icarefone.html
Price: (Subscription-based) $39.95 per year OR (Full-License) $49.95
Transfer Songs From Ipod To Itunes
As mentioned, iMyFone is fairly similar to iCareFone. This is true in both the cost and the basic interface design. In some ways, the iMyFone software cuts back on things, offering a more simplistic interface — which may or may not work better for you. Other than that, however, there’s not much to say about it that hasn’t already been said for the other programs listed above it.
How To Transfer Music From Ipod To Mac For Free Online
Pros:
- Efficient two-way transfer between iPod and iTunes.
- Transfer options available for other types of media.
- A very basic and simplistic design.
Cons:
- A FREE trial is available but highly limited.
- The cost of the subscription is at $39.95 per year, while the cost of the full license is at $49.95 — definitely more expensive than some of the other options available.
- It’s simple in design and lacking in features that other programs above it are not.
Conclusion: Thus, ends our compilation of programs that you can use in order to move songs from iPod to iTunes on Mac. As you no doubt would have learned, it actually can be pretty easy if you have the right tools for the job. Of course, for that, we’d recommend checking out the iMusic program first and foremost. After all, out of all the ones we introduced, it is the most efficient at what it has to do.