If you've been trying to figure out how to upload music to your new iPod nano, don't worry. We'll have you playing great songs on your iPod nano in no time. Of course, you might not be so interested in music. But maybe you bought your nanos to play videos or games. Well, good news! Once you're uploading music to your nano you'll know how to upload all the other goodies too.
1) Load the music files onto your computer
Most of us start out with our iPods by loading up the CDs we've collected over the years, so let's start there. Copy the files from your CDs onto your computer's hard disk so it'll be available to your iPod manager. Note: If you use iTunes and have "Copy files to iTunes music folder" selected, you can skip copying the files to the PC -- just having the CD in your computer's CD drive will be enough.
2) Bring the music files into your iPod manager software
You'll use an "iPod manager" application to handle moving files to and from the iPod. Apple's free iTunes software is the iPod manager most of us use. You're welcome to look at the other options -- Wikipedia has a pretty good list. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes. Once you know what you do and don't like about iTunes you'll be in a better position to decide whether you want to look for a different iPod manager.
By the way, using iTunes to manage iPod files does NOT keep you from buying music from other companies -- I buy music downloads from three different vendors but use iTunes to move them back and for from my iPod.
Decide if you'd like to have all your files in one location on the computer. If so, it's easiest if you tell iTunes to copy all the files there for you. In iTunes choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library."
Wherever you got your music from, once it's on your computer you can import it into iTunes. You have a couple options. One way is to select (from the top menu) File, Add Folder to Library, and find the folder holding your music. Click "OK" and iTunes will now show the music in the Library music list. Another way is to use the Control & O keys. Navigate to the files' location and click on the files you want to add.
3) Connect your PC and your nano
If your iPod isn't already connected, get your USB cable (came with your iPod) out and connect the computer and iPod. The left-hand menu should show your iPod when it's successfully connected.
Next you need to decide if you want to let iTunes handle synchronizing with your iPod or if you want to handle things manually. I like the "manually manage" approach -- it lets me decide which files to move to my nano. It also lets me synch up different computers to just one iPod.
4) Upload your music
If you decide to let iTunes manage the uploads, click your iPod's icon and select "Sync" in the lower right corner.
If you want to manage uploading manually, click your iPod's icon, select the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox on the iTunes screen. (Don't worry, this is a one-time setup step -- you won't have to do it again.) Now all you have to do is select the music (or play lists) you want from your iTunes library and drag it onto the iPod icon.
5) Be sure to eject your iPod
Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen. THEN disconnect from your computer.
6) Go find more music
Okay, you know how to upload music to your nano. Go forth and find more cool games, videos, books, or music for your iPod. See my web site for suggestions of where to find great downloads for reasonable prices.
1) Load the music files onto your computer
Most of us start out with our iPods by loading up the CDs we've collected over the years, so let's start there. Copy the files from your CDs onto your computer's hard disk so it'll be available to your iPod manager. Note: If you use iTunes and have "Copy files to iTunes music folder" selected, you can skip copying the files to the PC -- just having the CD in your computer's CD drive will be enough.
2) Bring the music files into your iPod manager software
You'll use an "iPod manager" application to handle moving files to and from the iPod. Apple's free iTunes software is the iPod manager most of us use. You're welcome to look at the other options -- Wikipedia has a pretty good list. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes. Once you know what you do and don't like about iTunes you'll be in a better position to decide whether you want to look for a different iPod manager.
By the way, using iTunes to manage iPod files does NOT keep you from buying music from other companies -- I buy music downloads from three different vendors but use iTunes to move them back and for from my iPod.
Decide if you'd like to have all your files in one location on the computer. If so, it's easiest if you tell iTunes to copy all the files there for you. In iTunes choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library."
Wherever you got your music from, once it's on your computer you can import it into iTunes. You have a couple options. One way is to select (from the top menu) File, Add Folder to Library, and find the folder holding your music. Click "OK" and iTunes will now show the music in the Library music list. Another way is to use the Control & O keys. Navigate to the files' location and click on the files you want to add.
3) Connect your PC and your nano
If your iPod isn't already connected, get your USB cable (came with your iPod) out and connect the computer and iPod. The left-hand menu should show your iPod when it's successfully connected.
Next you need to decide if you want to let iTunes handle synchronizing with your iPod or if you want to handle things manually. I like the "manually manage" approach -- it lets me decide which files to move to my nano. It also lets me synch up different computers to just one iPod.
4) Upload your music
If you decide to let iTunes manage the uploads, click your iPod's icon and select "Sync" in the lower right corner.
If you want to manage uploading manually, click your iPod's icon, select the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox on the iTunes screen. (Don't worry, this is a one-time setup step -- you won't have to do it again.) Now all you have to do is select the music (or play lists) you want from your iTunes library and drag it onto the iPod icon.
5) Be sure to eject your iPod
Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen. THEN disconnect from your computer.
6) Go find more music
Okay, you know how to upload music to your nano. Go forth and find more cool games, videos, books, or music for your iPod. See my web site for suggestions of where to find great downloads for reasonable prices.
About the Author:
Wondering where to find great music and game downloads? Check out Lydia Vaughn's review of the best sites for downloads for your iPod nano at Nanos Reviewed. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory
