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
Where are your music files? For a lot of new nano owners the answer is "on my CDs." If so, you'll want to make the files available to your computer. Most people start by copying the files from CDs onto the computer's hard disk. Note: If you use iTunes and have selected "Copy files to iTunes music folder," it's enough to just have the CD in your computer's CD drive.
2) Import the music into the iPod manager of your choice
An "iPod manager" handles moving files to and from the iPod. For most of us, Apple's free iTunes software fills the bill. But, there are other choices if you decide you don't like iTunes. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes.
Don't worry, using iTunes to manage your iPod doesn't keep you from buying music at other stores. I buy music downloads from Amazon and eMusic, in addition to iTunes.
Quick tip: If you want iTunes to put a copy of the file in the main iTunes library directory, choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library." I like to do this to make it easy to find my music files. I know that music files anywhere else on my hard drive aren't part of the iTunes library and can safely be deleted.
Okay, you're ready to import the music to iTunes. There's several ways to import, but the most common is to click (from the top menu) File, Add Folder to Library, and find and select the directory that contains your music. Click the "OK" button to add the music to the library's music list. You can also use the Control + O keys and select single files to add.
3) Connect your PC and your nano
Connect your iPod to the computer with the USB cable that came with your iPod. (Yes, I know most of you knew this...just playing it safe.) The iPod should appear on the left-hand menu.
How you upload the music depends on whether you're letting iTunes manage your iPod or have elected to "manually manage" your iPod. I prefer the "manually manage" approach because it lets me to pick and choose which files to move to my nano. It also allows me to pull files from multiple computers to the one iPod.
4) Upload your music
If you decided to let iTunes manage the uploads you're ready to start. Just click your iPod's icon and select "Sync" in the lower right corner. You're done! Play with that a few times. Try making playlists to group your music, go to iStore to download a couple free podcasts, and go enjoy!
If you decided to manage uploading manually you have a one-time setup to complete. Click your iPod's icon and select the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox on the iTunes screen. Now, select the music you want and drag it onto the iPod icon.
5) Be sure to eject your iPod
Never disconnect your iPod nano without ejecting it first. Not taking that extra minute risks corrupting the files. Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen.
6) Find more cool stuff!
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
Where are your music files? For a lot of new nano owners the answer is "on my CDs." If so, you'll want to make the files available to your computer. Most people start by copying the files from CDs onto the computer's hard disk. Note: If you use iTunes and have selected "Copy files to iTunes music folder," it's enough to just have the CD in your computer's CD drive.
2) Import the music into the iPod manager of your choice
An "iPod manager" handles moving files to and from the iPod. For most of us, Apple's free iTunes software fills the bill. But, there are other choices if you decide you don't like iTunes. If you're new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes.
Don't worry, using iTunes to manage your iPod doesn't keep you from buying music at other stores. I buy music downloads from Amazon and eMusic, in addition to iTunes.
Quick tip: If you want iTunes to put a copy of the file in the main iTunes library directory, choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library." I like to do this to make it easy to find my music files. I know that music files anywhere else on my hard drive aren't part of the iTunes library and can safely be deleted.
Okay, you're ready to import the music to iTunes. There's several ways to import, but the most common is to click (from the top menu) File, Add Folder to Library, and find and select the directory that contains your music. Click the "OK" button to add the music to the library's music list. You can also use the Control + O keys and select single files to add.
3) Connect your PC and your nano
Connect your iPod to the computer with the USB cable that came with your iPod. (Yes, I know most of you knew this...just playing it safe.) The iPod should appear on the left-hand menu.
How you upload the music depends on whether you're letting iTunes manage your iPod or have elected to "manually manage" your iPod. I prefer the "manually manage" approach because it lets me to pick and choose which files to move to my nano. It also allows me to pull files from multiple computers to the one iPod.
4) Upload your music
If you decided to let iTunes manage the uploads you're ready to start. Just click your iPod's icon and select "Sync" in the lower right corner. You're done! Play with that a few times. Try making playlists to group your music, go to iStore to download a couple free podcasts, and go enjoy!
If you decided to manage uploading manually you have a one-time setup to complete. Click your iPod's icon and select the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox on the iTunes screen. Now, select the music you want and drag it onto the iPod icon.
5) Be sure to eject your iPod
Never disconnect your iPod nano without ejecting it first. Not taking that extra minute risks corrupting the files. Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen.
6) Find more cool stuff!
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 go for top-notch music and video downloads? Check out Lydia Vaughn's review of the best sites for downloads for your iPod nano at Nanos Reviewed. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.
