How to Copy Songs From a Computer to an iPod Shuffle

by Jared Huizenga
Adding music to an iPod Shuffle is virtually the same as with any other iPod model.

Adding music to an iPod Shuffle is virtually the same as with any other iPod model.

ear buds image by Darrell Sharpe from Fotolia.com

In comparison with other iPods on the market--such as the Nano, Classic and Touch--the iPod Shuffle is a model of portability. The Shuffle lacks the display screen other iPods have, and overall it is smaller both physically and in terms of storage, at 2 GB or 4 GB. Because it's so small, the iPod Shuffle doesn't utilize the dock connection feature that other iPods have for storage and recharge, and the Shuffle uses a different type of cable to connect to a computer. Despite these differences, however, adding music to your iPod Shuffle is done in the same manner as those other models.

Step 1

Connect the USB end of the supplied iPod Shuffle cable to a high-powered USB port on your computer.

Step 2

Insert the other end of the cable into the headphone jack on the top of your iPod Shuffle.

Step 3

Open the iTunes software on your computer if it doesn't start automatically when you connect your iPod Shuffle. When your computer starts reading your iPod Shuffle, an iPod icon will appear in the "Device" list in the control panel on the left side of the iTunes interface.

Step 4

Click on "Music" below "Library" on the left side of iTunes. This will bring up all of the music you have added to your iTunes library in the main iTunes window.

Step 5

Click the song you want to add to your iPod Shuffle to highlight it.

Step 6

Drag the highlighted song to the iPod icon in the Device list.

Step 7

Release the mouse button when the iPod icon becomes highlighted and the selected song will copy to your iPod Shuffle.

Tip

  • To add more than one song at a time, hold down the "Crtl" button on a PC keyboard or the "Command" button on a Mac keyboard and click on the additional songs.

Warning

  • On the iPod Shuffle, songs can be played in order or by random play only.

About the Author

Jared Huizenga is a journalist living in Minneapolis where he works for one of the nation's largest weekly newspaper groups, covering city government and school news. While in college he managed two weekly entertainment newspapers in central and southern Minnesota and has contributed to many entertainment websites. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mass communication.

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