How to Import Songs to Your Playlist From Another iPod

The iPod automatically hides your song files.

Importing songs from another iPod is challenging, but it can be done in just a few quick steps. Once you have transferred songs from the device onto your computer, you can add them to your playlists or do whatever you want with the files. The Apple iPod automatically hides song files on your computer, but you can reveal them with little hassle.

Things You'll Need

• Apple iPod (any generation)
• IPod USB cable

Instructions

Importing Songs on a Mac

1. Download the free Houdini program for your Mac (see Resource section) to reveal hidden files and folders.

2. Double-click on the Houdini ".dmg" file once the program has finished downloading to install it onto your computer. You can now launch it from the Applications menu.

3. Connect your iPod to the computer using the iPod USB cable.

4. Open your Applications menu. Double-click on the Houdini icon to boot the program. Here, you will see five options: "Open," "Create," "Delete," "Move" and "Hide."

5. Select "Open." Click on your iPod's name under "Devices."

6. Open the "Music" folder once you have accessed your iPod's data folders. Here, you will see your song files. Click and drag them onto your desktop to transfer them onto your computer.

7. Launch the iTunes program. From the File drop-down menu, select "Add to library..." and choose the transferred song you wish to import to your music collection.

8. Click on the song file you want to add to your playlist in your iTunes music library. Drag and drop it over the name of the playlist in the left side bar of the iTunes window. It will now be on that playlist.

Importing Songs on a PC

1. Change your folder preferences to "View all hidden files and folders" on your PC. This can be done by right-clicking any folder and changing the viewing preferences.

2. Connect your iPod to the computer using the iPod USB cable.

3. Open "My Computer." Here, you will see all connected devices including your iPod.

4. Double-click on your iPod's icon. You can now view the iPod's data folders, such as Music, Video and Photos.

5. Open the Music folder. Click and drag songs onto your desktop that you wish to transfer onto the computer.

6. Open Windows Media Player. Click on the Library tab to open a drop-down menu.

7. Select "Add to Library..." and choose the transferred song you wish to add to your playlist.

8. Click on the song file from your Windows Media Player library once it has been imported. Drag and drop it onto any playlist.

Tips & Warnings

• Your song files will be numbered (as opposed to being properly named) upon transferring from the device. You will have to rename the song files upon importing them to your music library.

References

• Microsoft Support: Viewing hidden files and folders.

Resources

• Mac Update: Free Houdini download.