How to Copy Music to an iPod

iTunes has become one of the most popular media player software programs in the market today, based on the amazing popularity of the iPod. According the Apple website, the iPod commands 74 percent of the portable media player market.

iTunes allows you to synchronize digital media files already on your computer with your iPod, play the media files and create playlists. The program also has the ability to encode digital music files from your collection of CDs, and you may purchase new music from Apple's online store, which is integrated into the program.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• iPod
• iTunes installation disc or Internet connection
• iPod USB cable
• Media files

Instructions

1. Download iTunes from the Apple website (see Resources for link). A copy of the program may have also been included with the iPod. Check the packaging for an installation CD if you don't have access to the Internet. Copying music to your iPod requires that iTunes be installed on your computer.

2. Install iTunes on your computer by double-clicking the installation program that you downloaded. Then follow the on-screen commands.

3. Start iTunes by double-clicking the desktop icon. You will be prompted to agree or disagree with the end-user license agreement for the program. Click "Agree."

4. iTunes will prompt you to search for playable media on your computer. Click "Search." If the program doesn't prompt you, or if you accidentally click the wrong button, you add music by clicking "File" and "Add Folder to Library." Navigate to the folder where you have your music located. Usually the files are in the "My Music" folder in Windows and the "Music" folder for Macs. If you have several files, this process may take awhile.

5. Connect your iPod to the computer using the USB cable that came with it. It may take a moment for the device to appear. The name of your iPod should show in the left column of iTunes under the "Devices" header.

6. Single-click on the name of your iPod to select it. A summary page for your iPod should appear. In the bottom right corner there is a button marked "Sync."

7. Click the "Sync" button, and press "OK" when the warning message appears. This will copy the music from your computer to the iPod. The music files will be playable on the iPod once the process is complete.

8. Click the "Eject" button beside the name of your iPod on the left panel of iTunes. Normally you will need to eject the iPod through iTunes prior to disconnecting the cable.

9. Detach the iPod from the USB cable after your iPod screen displays "OK to disconnect." You should be ready to enjoy your music on your iPod.

Tips & Warnings

• You may drag and drop files to the iPod if you have selected "Enable disk use" on the iPod summary page, but any audio files that are copied to the iPod through drag and drop or cut/copy and paste will not be able to be played on the iPod. When you begin to install iTunes, Windows Vista may prompt you with a warning message that says, "A Program Needs Your Permission to Continue." Windows simply wants to confirm that you started the installation process. Click "Continue." Mac OS X will warn you that the installation program was downloaded from the Internet. Click "Yes" to continue with the installation. Do not connect your iPod prior to installing iTunes. Connecting the device before the program is installed may require you to reinstall iTunes. If iTunes finds Windows Media files (WMA), it will prompt you to convert the WMA music files to a file format that iTunes can read. If you want to sync these files on your iPod, you will need to allow iTunes to convert the files. If you don't eject your iPod through the iTunes program properly, you will receive a warning that the files on the iPod may be unreadable.

References

• Apple

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Apple's iTunes Site
• Apple's iTunes Digital Music Basics