How to Copy iPod Touch Music to a PC in Windows 7

Different iPod models require different third-party transfer programs.

As of 2011, the iPod Touch is the centerpiece of Apple's lineup of MP3 players. Like any MP3 player, the iPod Touch can often function as an accidental backup device. If your hard drive crashes and you lose your MP3 collection, you may be able to recover the music from your iPod Touch. If you want to transfer this music onto your computer, you'll need a third-party application.

Instructions

1. Use CopyTrans to transfer music from your iPod Touch to your computer. CopyTrans may not be freeware, but it offers a large suite of features. CopyTrans allows you to easily copy your entire library to your hard drive while retaining information such as ratings and playcounts. The program works with the iPod Touch, iPhone and older iPod models.

2. Copy your MP3 collection using iGadget. Like CopyTrans, iGadget isn't freeware, but features an equally large set of configuration options. iGadget's individual features are virtually identical to CopyTrans; however, its iPod transfer process somewhat more complicated.

3. Recover your MP3s using iPodAccess. This commercial software has features similar to CopyTrans and iGadget. Like the other programs, iPodAccess works with the iPod Touch and with older iPods, and can copy both songs and metadata. Unlike its competitors, iPodAccess can also recover data from a corrupted iPod database. However, this problem mostly exists on hard drive-based iPods and rarely occurs on the iPod Touch.

4. Restore music to your computer using TouchCopy. TouchCopy has essentially the same functionality as any other iPod Touch application. TouchCopy can transfer everything from your iPod, with the exception of "Last Played" metadata, onto a computer. The program is available as a trial version; however, this trial version only lets you copy 40 tracks before the trial period ends.

Tips & Warnings

• Third-party iPod transfer applications vary greatly in price, quality and features, so decide what you're looking for in a program before making a purchase.

References

• iLounge; Copying Content from your iPod to your Computer - The Definitive Guide; Jesse David Hollington; 2008

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• CopyTrans: Transfer iPod to iTunes & Computer
• iPodSoft: iGadget
• Findley Designs: iPodAccess for Windows
• Wide Angle Software: TouchCopy