How to Manage Multiple iPods on the Same PC

A few simple tweaks to iTunes makes managing multiple iPods a reality.

Apple's iTunes program allows you to use your computer to store, categorize and select all content that plays on your Apple iPod. Although you can easily sync many iPods to have identical playlists (the content contained in one iTunes library), iTunes is not initially configured to allow you to manage the content of more than one iPod with different content on a single computer. Make a few simple changes to the software's management settings to enable this function.

Things You'll Need

• iTunes for Windows Operating System
• iPod PC connector cable

Instructions

1. Run iTunes. (If you do not already have iTunes, download it for free using the link in the Resources section.) From the upper left menu bar on the main screen, click "Menu" and then "Preferences," then click the "Devices" tab. Check the box labeled "Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically."

2. Connect an iPod to the computer, then click the "Devices" tab. Select the iPod from the list that appears. Check the box labeled "Manually manage music and videos." Click the "Apply" button.

3. Add content, such as playlists, to your iPod by clicking and dragging the items to the iPod icon in the "Devices" list on the left side of the screen. You can now manage your iPod manually.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also manage iPhones and iPads manually. Just use the same process as with an iPod.

• Although you must change the software settings only once, in addition you'll need to change the settings manually for every device you wish to manage from that PC.

References

• iCopyBot: Managing multiple IPods on One Computer

Resources

• Apple: iTunes