How to Move a Music Library From an iPod to iTunes

Use your iPod to transfer your music library to a new computer.

Getting a new computer can be exciting as you don't have to worry about the troubles you may have experienced with your old one. However, the only drawback may be not being able to play the songs you once enjoyed on your old computer on the new one. Not to worry--using your iPod, you can move your music library to your new computer to play and enjoy your songs.

Things You'll Need

• Apple dock connector to USB cable

Instructions

iPod

1. Visit the Apple site and download the latest version of iTunes to your computer, if you have not done that already, and follow the prompts to complete the installation. Once you've done that, open iTunes, plug in your iPod using the Apple dock connector to USB cable to see the iPod icon appear on the desktop of your Mac or in the "Devices with Removable Storage" folder on your PC.

2. Click "Macintosh HD," select the administrator's name to view the music folder and drag the music folder to the desktop of your computer. If you have a PC, open "My Documents" to view "My Music" and drag the music folder to your desktop.

3. Double-click on the iPod icon to open it and drag the iTunes folder from the iPod to the iTunes music folder you dragged to your desktop. If you have a lot of songs, it will take a few minutes to complete moving the songs to your new iTunes library.

iPod Touch

1. Visit the Apple site and download the latest version of iTunes to your computer, if you have not done that already, and follow the prompts to complete the installation. Once you've done that, you will need to authorize your computer to move the music library from your iPod. Click "Store," then scroll down and click on "Authorize Computer." When prompted, enter your Apple ID or AOL username and click "Authorize"

2. Connect the iPod to your computer with the Apple dock connector to USB cable to see the device populate in the left panel of iTunes. A dialog box may populate on the screen letting you know that the iPod is synced with another iTunes library. Click "Transfer Purchases" to refrain from deleting content that is currently on your iPod, as this will replace your iPod content with the music library on the new computer.

3. Click "File" and scroll down to "Transfer Purchases" if the dialog box does not populate to transfer your music library from the iPod into iTunes. Alternatively, you can right-click on the device name in the left panel in iTunes and click "Transfer Purchases" from the menu.

Tips & Warnings

• Any items that weren't purchased in iTunes may not transfer to your new iTunes library.

References

• Apple: How to Use Your iPod to Move Your Music to a New Computer
• Apple: iTunes Store: Transferring Purchases From Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a Computer

Resources

• Apple: How to Use Your iPod to Move Your Music to a New Computer