How to Add to Existing iPod Music From a New Computer

by Jen Anderson
You can manually or automatically sync music between your iPod and iTunes.

You can manually or automatically sync music between your iPod and iTunes.

Earphones on Purple image by JJAVA from Fotolia.com

The iPod and iTunes give you several options for managing your music collection. You can have iTunes automatically sync your music collection so that your iPod and iTunes music library contain the same exact music, but you may not want do this. If you keep more music on your iPod than on your computer, then automatically syncing will delete some of the music on your iPod. To keep this from happening, you can move music files from your computer to your iPod manually.

Step 1

In iTunes, select "Preferences" from the "File" menu. In the window that appears, click the "Devices" tab. Check the box marked "Prevent iPods and iPhones from syncing automatically." Click the "OK" button.

Step 2

Attach your iPod to the computer. An icon representing your iPod will appear in the left side of the iTunes window under "Devices."

Step 3

Click on the icon that represents your iPod. Information about your iPod will be displayed in the main section of the iTunes window.

Step 4

Click on the "Summary" tab. Check the box marked "Manually manage music and videos." Click the "Apply" button.

Step 5

Select the music in your iTunes library that you want to add to your iPod. Drag the selected songs to the icon that represents your iPod. ITunes will copy the selected music to your iPod. You can also drag entire playlists by selecting and dragging the playlist name.

About the Author

Jen Anderson has been writing professionally since 2008. Her work has appeared in the "New York Times," "Time Out Chicago" and "The Villager." She has a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Brooklyn College.

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