Can I Download Music Videos on My iPod Nano?

by Will Conley
The sixth generation iPod nano plays music videos without the video.

The sixth generation iPod nano plays music videos without the video.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Yes, you can download music videos onto your iPod nano. The third, fourth and fifth generations of iPod nano play both the video and audio portions of music videos; the sixth generation iPod nano plays only the audio portion. (See Resources to determine which generation of iPod nano you have.)

Third-, Fourth- and Fifth-Generation iPod Nano

When you play a music video from the "Music" menu on a third-, fourth- or fifth-generation iPod nano, only the audio portion of the music video will play. When you play music videos from the "Video" menu, both the audio and video portions will play.

Sixth-Generation iPod Nano

You can download and transfer a music video to a sixth-generation iPod nano as if it were a regular song. However, only the audio portion is transferred and playable.

Downloading Music Videos for Your iPod Nano

You can search, browse, purchase and download music videos through the free iTunes program (see Resources). Search or browse music videos by artist, album, song, genre or other category. Purchase and download a music video by clicking its accompanying price tag and entering your iTunes Store account user name and password. Your selected music videos are saved to your iTunes library for syncing to your iPod nano.

Syncing Music Videos to Your iPod nano

After connecting your iPod nano to your computer via the USB dock connector, your music video shows up in the left menu panel in iTunes. Click it, then click the "Music" tab. Check the boxes next to "Sync Music" and "Include Music Videos." Click "Apply," and the selected music videos will transfer to your iPod nano.

About the Author

Will Conley's writing has appeared in a variety of print publications since 1999, including "National Journal," "Art New England," "Pulse of the Twin Cities" and "Minnesota Daily." He has also contributed to websites such as Salon.com and ThisBlogRules.com. Conley studied journalism at the University of Minnesota.

Photo Credits

  • Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images