transfer-music-from-ipod-to-itunes

One of the most successful products made by Apple is the iPod, which is a series of portable multimedia players. It was first released in 2001. Although there are many portable MP3 players had been made since 1990s, Apple found that they are not that “portable” at all. Therefore, Apple decided to develop their own. However, with the development of mobile phones, iPod seems to be more and more marginalized. If you have stored hundreds of thousands of songs in your iPod, it is difficult to let go. The best solution is to transfer your iPod music to iTunes library for backup. Then, the problem comes – How to transfer music from iPod to iTunes library? Don’t worry, read this guide to solve this problem.

Part 1: How to Transfer Purchased Music from iPod to iTunes Library Within iTunes?

iTunes is a tool developed by Apple Inc., which is not only a media player, but also a iOS transfer tool to get access and transfer music pictures, videos, and other files on your devices. However, it only provides you the path to transfer purchases from your iPod to iTunes library. If all your music is bought from iTunes, you can read the below part to transfer purchased music from iPod to iTunes library.

Step 1: Download the latest iTunes on your computer

If you are using a PC, you need to download iTunes from Microsoft Store or iTunes official download page. If you are using a Mac, iTunes is already pre-installed. If you are using a Mac with Catalina or above, Finder is the new place to transfer, update or restore your iDevices instead of iTunes.

download-itunes-to-transfer-music-from-ipod-to-itunes-library

Step 2: Prevent iTunes from syncing automatically

After installing iTunes on your computer, the first thing is to prevent iTunes from automatically syncing with your iPod. Otherwise, your music will be erased while syncing. Launch iTunes and go to “Edit > Preferences”. On a Mac, go to “iTunes > Preferences”. Then, click the iPod icon button, and uncheck the “Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically” box. Finally, click Apply to save changes.

stop-auto-sync-with-itunes

Step 3: Connect your iPod to computer

Connect your iPod to computer with USB cable. Go to iTunes Store, and choose “Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer”, then click Authorize.

authorize-this-computer-to-transfer-music-from-ipod-to-itunes-library

Step 4: Start to transfer purchases from iPod to iTunes library

Click “Transfer Purchases” in the pop-up window. Or, navigate to “File > Devices > Transfer Purchases from [your device]”. Finally, all purchased music will be transferred from iPod to iTunes library.

transfer-purchased-music-from-ipod-to-itunes-library

Part 2: How to Transfer Non-Purchased Music from iPod to iTunes Library Without iTunes?

Actually, apart from transferring purchases, iPod users can also transfer non-purchased music to iTunes library without iTunes. iPod users may find that whenever they connect their iPod to computer, the computer will recognize their iPod. But when they open the music folder, there are many folders starting with an F and a number, or just show nothing. In fact, the music files on iPod are hidden by computer. Follow the steps below to make music files visible again and copy them to iTunes library.

Step 1: Connect your iPod to computer

Connect your iPod to computer with USB cable. Wait until your iPod is shown under the window of My computer.

ipod-in-my-computer

Step 2: Show hidden music files

Click “Tools” tab in the menu bar of Windows Explorer, and choose “Folder Options”. In the pop-up panel, click “View”. Then, check “Show hidden files and folders” option under the menu of “Advanced settings”. Finally, click “Apply” and “OK” to save changes. Return to iPod folder, and enter “iPod_Control > Music” folder where you can view all your music files on iPod.

show-hidden-music-files

Step 3: Transfer music from iPod to iTunes library

Launch iTunes and head to “File > Add Folder to Library", then you need to import music files from iPod_Control folder to iTunes. Afterwards, navigate to “Edit > Preferences > Advanced”. On the Advanced Preferences panel, check “Keep iTunes Media Folder Organized” option. Finally, click OK to save all settings.

import-music-from-ipod-to-itunes-library

Part 3: How to Transfer All Kinds of Music from iPod to iTunes Library with iPod Transfer Software?

To transfer all kinds of music from your iPod to iTunes library, neither of the methods above is ideal. For transferring music with iTunes, you can only transfer purchases. And in case you didn’t prevent iTunes from automatically syncing with your device, your data may get lost. As to transfer music without iTunes but Windows Explorer, the music in iTunes will be displayed randomly. Leawo iTransfer, as the best iOS transfer tool, perfectly combine the advantages of above two methods. It can assist you to transfer music from iPod to iTunes library without efforts. Check the detailed steps illustrated below.

Step 1: Download and install Leawo iTransfer

Go to the official website of Leawo iTransfer, or directly click button below according to your computer system to download and install Leawo iTransfer to your computer.

  • itransfer-mac
  • Leawo iTransfer for Mac

    - Transfer files among iOS devices, iTunes and Mac with ease.
    - 6x faster than iTunes
    - Transfer up to 14 kinds of data and files without iTunes.
    - Support the latest iOS devices like iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, etc.
    - Play back, view, and delete data and files on iOS devices.
    - Support Windows & Mac OS

Step 2: Connect your iPod to computer

Launch Leawo iTransfer after installing. Then, connect your iPod to computer with USB cable. This software will automatically detect and recognize your iPod immediately.

connect-ipod-to-transfer-music

Step 3: Select music and start to transfer music from iPod to iTunes library

Choose “Music” library on the left sidebar, and all music files in your iPod will show up in the right window. Click the transfer button at the bottom-right corner to transfer all the music files. Or hold "Ctrl" key and click to choose files, and then right-click the selected files to "Transfer to > iTunes".

select-ipod-music-to-transfer

Step 4: Confirm output directory

After clicking the transfer button, you will see a pop-up dialog. Check "Transfer to List: iTunes" and click "Transfer Now" to start transferring music from iPod to iTunes library. If you want to copy songs to computer, you can check "Save to Folder" and click "Change" to choose a folder on your computer to save files. After the music transfer, you will get iPod music in your iTunes library.

transfer-music-from-ipod-to-itunes-library

Note

    Please do not disconnect your iPod while the transfer is in progress.