Helpful iPod Tips: How Do I Download Music to My iPod?
Download iTunes
Before you can download music to your iPod, you have to have iTunes installed on your computer.
Download Music from CDs
One of your choices to download music is from audio CDs. If you have music CDs that you want to download to your iPod, you first need to import them into iTunes. To do this, insert the CD into your computer’s CD drive. iTunes automatically opens and prompts you if you want to import the CD into iTunes. Click Yes if you want to import the entire CD. If you do not want the entire CD imported but only certain songs, click No, uncheck the check box next to the songs you don’t want to import and click the Import CD button in the lower-right corner of the iTunes window. Repeat this step for each CD you want to add to iTunes.
Download Music from iTunes Music Store
Most songs in the iTunes Music Store cost 99 cents. If you want to purchase an entire album, they cost approximately $9.99. When you purchase music from iTunes, the songs, or album, automatically sync to your iTunes music library. To purchase music from iTunes, open iTunes and click on iTunes Store in the Store section on the left side. Click Music at the top of the screen. You will notice the most popular albums you can download, the top Charts of the most downloaded music, or you can search particular songs by entering the name in the Search Store field at the top of the screen. Click on the song or album of your choice and click the Buy button. The songs or album then automatically syncs to your iPod music library.
Download Music Already on Computer
You can add songs that are already on your computer to iTunes. To do this, open iTunes, click File at the top and select Add to Library. Select the folder you want to add. The songs in the folder are automatically added to the iTunes music library.
Manually Manage Music
If you do not want your iPod to automatically sync with iTunes every time you connect it, you can set it to manually manage music. To do this, click the Summary tab, uncheck Open iTunes when this iPod is connected, and then click Apply. You still have the option to sync by clicking the Sync button in the lower right corner. You can drag individual music to the iPod and delete individual songs from the iPod. If you manage the music yourself, you will always have to eject the iPod from iTunes before you disconnect it.
How Do I Download Music to My iPod Touch?
Connect your iPod Touch to an available USB port on your computer. If the iPod Touch is set to automatically sync with iTunes, it will automatically sync and add the music in iTunes to the iPod. Leave the iPod Touch connected to iTunes until the transfer is completed and all downloads are finished. When the iPod is completely synced, you can disconnect it from the computer.
If the iPod is set to manually manage music, you will need to drag the music you want from iTunes to the iPod under Devices on the left. You can drag the songs to the main music library on your iPod or into any playlist.
How Do I Download Music to My iPod Nano?
Connect the iPod Nano to an available USB port on your computer. iTunes automatically opens. If the iPod Nano is set to automatically sync, the music in iTunes will be added to the iPod. Do not disconnect the iPod until the sync is completed. When it is completely synced, you can disconnect it from the computer.
If the iPod is set to manually manage music, you will need to drag the music you want from iTunes to the iPod under Devices on the left. You can drag the songs to the main music library on your iPod or into any playlist.
How Do I Download Music to My iPod Shuffle?
Connect your iPod Shuffle to an available USB port on your computer. If the iPod Shuffle is set to automatically sync with iTunes, it will automatically sync and add the music. Leave the iPod Shuffle connected to iTunes until the transfer is completed and all downloads are finished. When the iPod is completely synced, you can remove it from the computer.
If the iPod is set to manually manage music, you will need to drag the music you want from iTunes to the iPod under Devices on the left. You can drag the songs to the main music library on your iPod or into any playlist.
How Do I Download Music to My iPod Classic?
Connect your iPod Classic to a free USB port on your computer. If the iPod Classic is set to automatically sync with iTunes, it will automatically sync and add the music. Leave the iPod Classic connected to iTunes until the transfer is completed and all downloads are finished. When the iPod is completely synced, you can remove it from the computer.
If the iPod is set to manually manage music, you will need to drag the music you want from iTunes to the iPod under Devices on the left. You can drag the songs to the main music library on your iPod or into any playlist.
More iPod Tips
As you can see, there are many ways to do this. Whether you have music on CDs, already on your computer, or want to download music from the iTunes Music Store, you can do so easily. There are many different things you can do with an iPod besides listening to music.
References
TopBits: How to Download Music to your iPod, https://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-download-music-to-your-ipod.html
Apple: iPod Classic Features Guide, https://manuals.info.apple.com/en/ipod_classic_features_guide.pdf
Apple: iPod Nano User Guide, https://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iPod_nano_6thgen_User_Guide.pdf
Apple: iPod Shuffle User Guide, https://support.apple.com/kb/ht1654
iPod Touch Image Credit, https://browse.deviantart.com/?q=ipod%20Touch&order=9&offset=24&offset=24#/d2ugexf
