How to Sync iTunes Step-by-Step

Sync iTunes to your media player and recreate your home entertainment while on the go

ITunes is the flagship digital media player and interface manager from Apple computers. ITunes was first introduced in 2001 and has been continuously developed for use with most personal computers, operating systems and other personal media players such as cell phones and specialist MP3 players.



To transfer iTunes files to a separate media device, the relevant files need to be synchronized. A whole iTunes library can be synchronized, or you can choose to transfer only selected files.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• iTunes
• Media device
• USB cable

Manually Synchronzing iTunes Files

1. Open iTunes and connect your media device to your computer using a USB cable.

2. Open your media device's configuration window by clicking on its icon, which should appear in the "Devices" section on the left side of the iTunes window.

3. Drag and drop the required files or play lists from your iTunes library into your media device's relevant media folders (Music, Movies, Ringtones, etc). These files will then begin to synchronize.

Synchronize Only Checked iTunes Files

1. Open iTunes and connect your media device to your computer using a USB cable.

2. Open your media device's configuration window by clicking on its icon which should appear in the "Devices" section on the left side of the iTunes window.

3. Make sure that the option to synchronize only checked media files, which should be evident in your device's configuration window, is the only file management option selected. Then click, "Apply."

4. Open your iTunes library's window and choose the files you wish to synchronize by selecting the check boxes next to each item. Make sure that the files you don't wish to synchronize are not selected.

5. Return to your media device's configuration window by clicking on its icon in iTunes and select "Sync." Selected files will now begin to synchronize.

Synchronize Your Complete iTunes Library

1. Open iTunes and connect your media device to your computer using a USB cable.

2. Open your media device's configuration window by clicking on its icon, which should appear in the "Devices" section on the left side of the iTunes window.

3. Make sure the option to synchronize only checked media files, which should be evident in your device's configuration window, is the only file management option selected. Then click, "Apply."

4. Return to your iTunes library main window. Open each content folder (Music, Movies, Apps, etc) individually and select all check boxes by opening the "Edit" menu. Then "Select All," while holding down the "Control" key on your computer's keyboard while selecting one check box in each folder.

5. Return to your device's configuration window and select "Sync" once each folder has been updated. Your complete iTunes library will now begin to synchronize.

Tips & Warnings

• Unplugging your media device from your computer during the synchronizing process may cause it to become faulty.

References

• Apple: Synching Content From iTunes
• Apple: Setting up Synching
• Macworld: Sync your iTunes libraries

Resources

• Apple: iTunes