How to Make Genius Mixes in iTunes and Sync to an iPhone

Apple's iTunes 9 makes Genius (the feature that suggests new tunes and makes playlists from any song you select) into the perfect DJ. The newest feature is reminiscent of mix tapes and CDs. Genius in iTunes takes inventory of all of your music and creates up to 12 Genius Mixes based on genre such as Alternative, Rock and Country.

You can also sync these mixes with your iPod or iPhone. Genius Mixes are a simple way to fill your iPhone or smaller capacity iPod with a good mix of music.

The steps in this article are written for the Mac Operating System, but should apply with minimal adjustments to Windows as well.

Things You'll Need

• A computer (Windows or Mac)
• iTunes 9.0+
• iPhone or iPod

Instructions

How to Create Genius Mixes

1. Upgrade iTunes to the latest version (at least 9.0) if you haven't already.

2. Launch iTunes.

3. Select Store > Update Genius from the top menu in iTunes.

4. Select the "Genius Mixes" option from the "Genius" menu on the left side of the iTunes window.

   You should see up to 12 mixes based on genre displayed in Grid mode.

5. 

   Click on any of the mixes to start playing.

How to Sync Genius Mixes and Play them on Your iPhone

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer with the charge/sync cable.

2. Launch iTunes.

3. 

   Click on your iPhone in the "Devices" area of the left side menu in iTunes.

4. 

   Select the "Music" tab.

5. 

   Select the Genius Mixes you want to sync with your iPhone in the "Playlists" area.

   You can select all of them by selecting the check box next to "Genius Mixes" or pick and choose which one to sync by clicking on the check box next to each one.

6. Hit the "Sync" button in the bottom-right corner of the iTunes window. Your iPhone will sync and the songs in those Genius Mixes will transfer from iTunes.

7. 

   Access the Genius Mixes on your iPhone by tapping the iPod app.

8. 

   Select "Genius" from the bottom menu in the iPod app.

9. Scroll through the mixes by swiping from right to left.

10. 

    Play the Genius Mix by tapping on the play button in the middle of the screen.