How do I transfer music from my iPod to my computer?

Question

I used three different computers to download songs to put into my video iPod. Now I got my laptop and I want to transfer my songs and my videos onto my laptop. How do I do that?

Answer 1

Hi Kelsie,

This is a common problem. If you are on Mac OSX 10.3 or higher, I recommend Senuti (it's actually iTunes spelled backwards!) If, as is more likely, you use Windows, go to this link:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod-software-windows

Look for 'CopyPod', which most people have good experiences with. There's a couple more below that also. A lot of people also swear by an app called Ephpod, available at:

http://www.ephpod.com/

I've never used it, but it's another option to explore. You can also try another Windows option called 'iDump', available at:

http://www.download.com/idump/3000-2169_...

It's also well spoken of.

This should really do it, but if not, then 'PodWorks' is at:

http://www.scifihifi.com/podworks/......

'YamiPod' (can't comment from experience, but it's free) is another application, available for download at:

http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/home...

Also, check the programme's on-line manual or 'help' section to see exactly where the extracted files are diverted to - it's quite possible you may have to re-drag them into the iTunes window to set up your Playlists again.

If you want to find out how much the apps cost (some are free!) then there's a very detailed chart at this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_iPod_Managers

Good luck!

Answer 2

If you don't mind losing the art work, your ratings etc. (something that is not part of standard ID3 tags), follow the steps below to extract songs out of your iPod.

* Connect your iPod to the computer to which you want to transfer songs to.
* If your iPod is not enabled for use as a removable hard disk, do that from iTunes (Edit Menu --> Preferences --> iPod tab --> select 'Enable disk use' option). IMPORTANT: Make sure that you don't auto synchronize your iPod with iTunes library on this machine.
* Once the 'disk use' is enabled for iPod, you should see iPod as a removable disk in your 'My Computer' window (assuming you are using Windows).
* Open that drive and go to the directory 'iPod_Control\Music'. Copy all the files in that directory to your computer. Contents of this directory are actual audio files from your library. They are just arranged in a different manner compared to iTunes.
* Disconnect iPod from your computer by following the proper procedure (see iPod documentation).
* Open iTunes, if not already open, and import all the audio files you just copied into iTunes library. Based on the preferences you have set for iTunes, either it will copy all the files to the iTunes library folder or it will just play them from existing location. To make copying unncessary, I would probably copy them into the iTunes library folder and then import that directory itself.
* Based on other options in iTunes, it could even reorganize the files with song and album names.
* You are done!! Enjoy.

NOTE: I have iPod photo. In other iPod models, I guess the directory names would be something similar to the one I mentioned above. And probably you would find a similar directory for videos too.

Answer 3

I use CopyPod but there are many other programs that allow you to do that. I downloaded the trial version and i like it so i bought it.

Answer 4

doesn't work that way for most folks. i am in same situation. You have to burn disks, then put on one computer. sucks, but only the very newest let you move one to another

Answer 5

rip songs from device in media player....