transferring MP3 files from computer to ipod

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Hello! I have downloaded audio MP3 files from an Internet site to my MAC desktop. How can I transfer them to my Ipod without using Itunes? Do I need to download special software? If yes, what do you recommend.
thanks in advance.
 
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As far as I know, iTunes is required. Just import the mp3 files into iTunes (drag and drop then into the iTunes app Icon) and then sync. And I'm assuming these files were legally downloaded...
 

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Here are a number of links covering ways of transferring music from Mac to iPod without iTunes.

NB iTunes is native to Mac and available for PCs and the easiest option.

The alternatives usually mean purchasing third party apps. iMazing is widely recommended on these forums. The other apps I can't vouch for .

https://imazing.com/guides/how-to-transfer-music-from-my-iphone-to-my-computer
https://drfone.wondershare.com/ipod-transfer/transfer-mp3-to-ipod.html
https://www.imobie.com/support/transfer-music-to-ipod.htm

Ian
 
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Hello! I have downloaded audio MP3 files from an Internet site to my MAC desktop. How can I transfer them to my Ipod without using Itunes? Do I need to download special software? If yes, what do you recommend.
thanks in advance.

Hello Minsk.. - first, I'd have to agree w/ the comment about the legality of the MP3 files - would not like to give advice if piracy is involved?

Second, Ian has already provided excellent advice, so can only second his comments - check HERE for a number of non-iTunes options for music transfer between Macs and iDevices. In particular, iMazing is a versatile file app to accomplish many tasks, including backing up an iDevice(s) - and indeed is a popular app on this forum; check the link - there is a free DL but not sure which features may be limited or not available w/o a purchase.

Despite having iMazing on all of my Macs, for myself, iTunes serves my occasional purposes - I typically rip CDs or buy MP3 albums into my iTunes library, create a playlist, plug in my iDevice and simply drag the playlist(s) onto the attached icon - quick and easy. Good luck - Dave :)
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Screen Shot 2019-01-26 at 11.29.05 AM.png
 
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Thanks for advice. I have succeeded into creating a new Playlist on I-tunes and dragged two of the mp3 files into it. How do I transfer these onto the Ipod?(Dragging the playlist does not work.) Files completely legitimate downloads.
Thanks.
 

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How do I transfer these onto the Ipod

Easiest way is via iTunes. Use USB to connect iPod to Mac. Open iTunes, click on iPod icon top, slightly left and then sync.

In other words, use iTunes to sync with your iPod. You will see, when you do this, that you can transfer (sync), videos, photos, music, audiobooks etc.

Ian
 
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Thanks Jonathon. The problem is that although the ipod is synced with this computer, I can't do any of the things which Apple describes because the system demands that I first agree to delete everything on the Ipod. This is why I originally asked how to avoid Itunes altogether.
 
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Thanks Jonathon. The problem is that although the ipod is synced with this computer, I can't do any of the things which Apple describes because the system demands that I first agree to delete everything on the Ipod. This is why I originally asked how to avoid Itunes altogether.

So you have music on the iPod that isn't already in iTunes? If not, then don't worry about the message, as all your music is already on your computer and will be transferred to the iPod. If so, where did that other music originate from?
 
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To go into more detail:
these are standard instructions:
Connect your device to the computer.
Select the icon for your device, located at the upper-left portion of the screen.
Select the “Music” option on the left pane.
Ensure the “Sync Music” check-box is selected.
In the “Playlists” section, check the playlists you wish to sync with your iOS device.
Select “Sync” and your playlist should sync.

the problem is that if I choose “Sync Music”, the IPOD then demands that I remove everything on the IPod even though the ipod is synced with the computer.
 
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I inherited the Ipod with podcasts and music. I have been able to sync to Itunes and download podcasts via Itunes without problem. The current problem arose when I downloaded mp3 files directly from a website (Supreme Court of the US!9 because these are not available via Itunes.
 
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I inherited the Ipod with podcasts and music.

That's likely the problem. I don't think you can legally possess that music since you didn't purchase it. Thus iTunes is preventing you from syncing music unless these songs are removed. It's designed this way so people can't, for example, lend people their iPod to download the music off it onto their computer. It can only sync with one computer at a time. At least this is my understanding.
 

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Now, if we'd known that from the start.....

Of course, if the iPOD is not owned by you and the music and other content is not owned by you, then what you are experiencing is to be expected.

What you've inherited is an iPOD that will, presumably, play what's on it; but you cannot ever add anything to it unless/until you wipe it clean and start over as if new. Then you can sync with iTunes.

Whilst I know this to be the case with iTunes and any Apple product, I cannot comment on whether the third party apps mentioned in my links would behave differently.

You could try iMazing on a free trial basis and see if the same thing happens..........

Ian
 
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the problem is that if I choose “Sync Music”, the IPOD then demands that I remove everything on the IPod even though the ipod is synced with the computer.
Um, people, why not select "manually manage" instead of "sync"? I haven't "synced" in years because
a) my music library got bigger than the device capacity
b) issues like @Minsk59 but from sharing a device between multiple computers
As for a different answer to your question, I have not put music in iTunes in ages. I do indeed use it to TRANSFER the music, but via drag-and-drop. In iTunes, you have to get the device (iPod) icon visible, and minimize the iTunes window so you can also see a Finder window. Grab your music file(s) in Finder and drag onto the device icon. Presto! The stuff copies over without actually being in iTunes at all.

Frankly, I've even moved on from this and went to using a Sansa ClipZip and now an AGPTEK MP3 player. Those will play bootleg FLAC files directly as a bonus ;D By the way, if you want to copy/back up those iPod contents, then you pretty much need 3rd party software.
 
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Um, people, why not select "manually manage" instead of "sync"? I haven't "synced" in years because
a) my music library got bigger than the device capacity
b) issues like @Minsk59 but from sharing a device between multiple computers
As for a different answer to your question, I have not put music in iTunes in ages. I do indeed use it to TRANSFER the music, but via drag-and-drop. In iTunes, you have to get the device (iPod) icon visible, and minimize the iTunes window so you can also see a Finder window. Grab your music file(s) in Finder and drag onto the device icon. Presto! The stuff copies over without actually being in iTunes at all.

The issue is, as far as I know, he will never be able to get the existing music on this iPod that he "inherited" onto his Mac since he didn't purchase that music. I'm also not sure if he'll be able to manually transfer any songs on his Mac to the iPod without it also triggering an erasure of the existing music. I would also add that even if there is some other method (via other software) to bypass this, I could never in good conscience condone that.
 
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IWT


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+1. I agree. Don't own the Music; you're stuck with playing it. Can't transfer to iTunes, nor add songs from the Mac.

Ian
 
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Thanks. Since posting, I have got another Ipod which is synced with my computer so there should be no obvious obstacle to moving the downloaded podcasts from computer to Ipod. This is what I did: I opened Itunes: File → Add to Library → select podcasts → open

Nothing happens.

What am I doing wrong and where will Itunes save the podcasts?

thanks again.
 
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Thanks. Since posting, I have got another Ipod which is synced with my computer so there should be no obvious obstacle to moving the downloaded podcasts from computer to Ipod. This is what I did: I opened Itunes: File → Add to Library → select podcasts → open

Nothing happens.

What am I doing wrong and where will Itunes save the podcasts?

thanks again.

This screenshot is from the article I linked you to earlier:

macos-mojave-itunes-iphone-x-summary-click-sync.jpg


After you click on your iPod, select Podcasts from the left column, then in the main pane, be sure "Sync Podcasts" is selected. Then sync.
 
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Thanks for the quick reply. I tried doing what you say but
1. clicking on the Ipod symbol does nothing.
2. Selecting 'Podcasts' and then 'sync podcasts' does nothing because the 2 podcasts in question don't appear anywhere. i.e. I can't add them because i can't find them
3. I read the article again but it dose not envisage the problem.
 

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