How to copy music from your iPod to your iTunes library

(Mobile Tech Expert) Posted 9/2/2005
Comments (675) | Trackbacks (0)

One of the failings of iTunes is the inability to copy music files from the iPod to your iTunes library without third party utilities. I suspect Apple did this by design to keep we iTunes customers from copying our DRMed music. I recently rebuilt my Tablet PC and wanted to copy my 18 GB of music residing on my iPod over to the Tablet so my library would be filled again. A gotcha lurks when you install iTunes and your iPod onto a new computer because iTunes is set by default to replace your iPod library with the desktop library the first time they are partnered. Of course since your iTunes library is empty it promptly wipes out your precious music on the iPod leaving you with no library anywhere. Ouch. There is a simple way to prevent this and also copy your iPod library to the desktop without any third party software.

iTunes won't let you configure the iPod to prevent the auto-syncing until AFTER the iPod is connected to iTunes. It is imperative you do not partner the two libraries when asked by iTunes, tell it no so the auto-sync doesn't wipe your iPod clean leaving you a blubbering idiot in the process. Once the iPod is connected and set to operate as a hard disk on your PC exit iTunes. Go to the iTunes directory on the Windows machine (My Music/ iTunes by default) and delete the XML file and the ITL file which is the library database installed when you hooked up the iPod.

With those files deleted the iTunes library is now empty as it should be for this process. Navigate over to the iPod in My Computer and make sure you set the folder options to show hidden files. Find the hidden folder called iPod Control and even though it's filled with many files with nonsensical names this is in fact the music library on the iPod. Copy that folder to anywhere on the PC which will take a while if you have a lot of songs. When this copy is complete open iTunes and in the Files menu tell iTunes to Add a Folder and select the iPod Control folder you just copied over. You could actually do this straight from the iPod without copying them all over but I was nervous something might happen to the library on the iPod so I copied them first.

Before you do the Add a Folder mentioned above make sure iTunes is set to manage your library and to copy files when adding to iTunes. This is important to get iTunes to organize the songs using the ID3 tags in the song files you just copied over. That's it- you have all your iPod songs now properly copied to the desktop and nicely organized and in the iTunes database. Note that when you first connect the iPod to the computer after you set iTunes to auto-sync it will wipe the iPod clean and sync the new iTunes library back to the iPod. It seems like a silly step but since the two libraries are the same anyway it doesn't hurt anything, it just takes time. It is necessary to make sure the databases are identical. Once it's done you can delete the iPod Control folder you copied on the desktop since iTunes has copied the songs into it's own directory tree.

Vendors mentioned: Apple Portable Media Players, Apple Desktops & Laptops, Unify Database

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675 Comments

RSS for Comments

Cindy writes:

12/29/2005 #

After wiping out the itunes library accidentally, I did this and it seemed to work beautifully. Then my daughter and I tried draggig the songs to a playlist or to our ipod and they wouldn't drag. What are we missing?

jk writes:

12/30/2005 #

After all the songs are copied to the PC you must sync the iPod to the PC so they will be in sync.

"H. Sibley" writes:

1/1/2006 #

I want to thank you so very much for the iTunes library information. I didn't realize I was throwing out the folder which held my library. However, I followed your instructions, but the iPod folder doesn't copy to my iTunes library (I have a mini iPod). I copied the control folder to two different places, just to be sure, and didn't erase the music on the iPod. Please help.

John K writes:

1/1/2006 #

My iPod isn't listed in My Computer. I ensured that all hidden folders/files were being shown. It only appears in My Computer while it's synching, then it disappears.

So I can't navigate to the iPod to copy any of the files from it. Any ideas??

Thanks,
John K

jk writes:

1/2/2006 #

H. Sibley- I'm not sure if this will work on the mini.

John K- Make sure in iTunes you have enabled the iPod option that allows the iPod to be used as a hard drive in Windows.

"Ms. Minix" writes:

1/8/2006 #

I've done all the steps you've said, and I was able to do everything except get my songs from my ipod back into my itunes library, so when I do update my ipod it wont take my songs. I keep asking itunes to open the ipod control folder, but it doesn't my ipods songs have yet to display in the library. What can I do?

Jim writes:

1/23/2006 #

James Kendrick - you have to go to the iPod Control folder, then right click and click "properties". then uncheck the hidden box and uncolor the read only box. hope that helps

Brad S writes:

1/25/2006 #

dude...what are you talking about?

kroup writes:

1/28/2006 #

how do i add a playlist in my ipod? i originally added two platlists in my ipod with musicmatch but now i use itunes and i can't seem to figure out how to add a playlist(folder).

AJG writes:

1/29/2006 #

This saved the day for me - thank you VERY much. One important detail that I did not see here is this: you have to go to the iPod Control folder that you have copied onto the desktop and right click to "properties". Then uncheck the hidden box and uncolor the read only box in order for the folder to copy into your ipod library.

Niall writes:

1/31/2006 #

Hey guys,
v.new to this kinda thing but here goes. Basically, I have an iPod which I let a friend borrow who tried to add songs to my iPod but managed to delete all my songs and add only several of the songs from his own ipod/itunes. Therefore I only have a handfull ( several hundred) of songs on my ipod but would prefer to keep them. I still have my own songs on my itunes but am 99% sure that if I hook my ipod up to my PC I'll lose what's already on my ipod or what's on my itunes. Is there any way of keeping all songs (transfering my ipod's "new" songs to the itunes ) on itunes and then manage to get them all onto my ipod?

Pleasssseeee help!

gina writes:

2/2/2006 #

you could just plug your ipod back into your friend's computer and change the options of your ipod. Instead of having it update automatically, once you select your ipod on the itunes screen, go to the little ipod button at the bottom right. Under music, instead of update automatically, change it to manage files manually. That way when you plug it into your computer, you can add the files that are on your own itunes without it deleting everything.

JH writes:

2/6/2006 #

How does one do this for a Mac?

It seems outrageous I cannot use my iPod as a harddrive. Had I known that I would have bought a different make, even if it wasn't white and shiny.

StephanieB writes:

2/12/2006 #

BACKGROUND: I bought a new Dell (Inspiron 6000, in case that matters) in December. When I installed iTunes, it did not wipe out what was on my iPod (thank God), but of course I could not download the music to my computer/library. And I don't remember being asked about 'partnering the two libraries', but I must have guessed correctly I don't think I had my iPod with me when I installed iTunes originally. Since installing iTunes, I have added new CDs to my library and added them to my iPod. They are all that exist in my iTunes library.

QUESTION: All I want is all the music/data from my iPod on my computer. Is there anything I should be careful about since I have aleady been using it as is? Is it OK to follow this process starting now or is it recomended that I uninstall/re-install iTunes first?

Thanks!

mh writes:

2/13/2006 #

when i went to the Files menu to tell iTunes to Add a Folder and select the iPod Control folder I copied no songs populated into the library...in fact I hit okay and nothing happend. In the iTunes preferences for my nano have selected manually manage songs and playlists under music and copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library under advanced prompt. Any suggestions...should the songs populate in the library song detail?

mh writes:

2/13/2006 #

I followed the propeties instructions as well for the iPod control folder...still can view the songs in the library?????

Samantha writes:

2/13/2006 #

Will this work with an apple computer?? I'm really having a hard time figuring this whole thing out, my entire life i spent on a Dell so i'm really struggling. I need to know how to get my music from my ipod into my itunes library, can you help??

narg writes:

2/14/2006 #

Or better yet, buy another MP3 player from any company other than Apple. Buy and iPod and you support "The Man"

The iPod is popular becuase of tons of advertising. Who paid for those ads? Not Apple by themselves. They got a lot of $$$ from record companies. Since the iPod is do DRM heavy and hard to control the music, the record companies love it. Since the RIAA suffered such a blow from loosing it's lawsuit against Rio (the makers of the very first MP3 player, not Apple, sorry guys.) they had to do something to 1. control the public, 2. make more money. So buy and iPod and you support "The Man"

rob writes:

2/17/2006 #

Thank you, your advice worked great, I had to adjust it slightly, though. Instead of Adding a new File Folder to the iTunes library, I had to add each individual song from the iPod Control folder. Doesnt matter cause in 15 minutes I was finished. Thanks again!

frank Cuesta writes:

2/19/2006 #

Hi,
I just bought a 60G IPOD, but I can't transfer the music I have in my old IPOD to it. Is there a way? I tried purchasing a program to transfer music from my IPOD to my MAC but all the programs I found are for PC. Is there a program anyone can recomend. Thank you.

Kapil Arora writes:

2/19/2006 #

Thanks for the help. Yeah, don't forget to change the attributes of the folder.

Teoria writes:

2/22/2006 #

How to get music off Ipod to PC or Mac...

http://www.engadget.com/2004/11/02/how-to-get-music-off-your-ipod/

For PC users, sharepod is great b/c it doesn't require you to install software on the computer. It stores a file on the Ipod itself so it can be used easily anywhere.

Revolution writes:

2/24/2006 #

hi,
This is the only tech'ie tutorial ive understood and no one ever talks about reinstalling itunes , to your exisisting ipod , if your normal pc person you tend to wipe your partitions or windows os alot , and this guide is exellent .

Shame I found it 2 mins after I pressed yes. 180 songs down drain.

[ Why oh why was the ipod a creation of mac , with windows yeah you'd get run time errors but we would have a better music sync we would mod and hack ]

cj writes:

2/24/2006 #

I was trying to download my buddies i-pod songs onto my i-tunes on my computer, but it does not want to let me. I have tried dragging them over and still nothing. what am i doing wrong?

Andrew writes:

2/24/2006 #

Hey,
It won't transfer over any songs I had purchased using the itunes music store. Is there anyway to save these without having to rebuy them? Or find out which ones they are, so I can delete them and try and find them again so that they'll transfer over?

ace writes:

2/26/2006 #

Thanxs that worked awsome ive been trying to get the library off of my ipod on to my computer since i bought it used. THanxs

Harry writes:

2/27/2006 #

hey, ur a genius =) lol, after gettin all my music deleted and spendin hours to load it back, i realised someone else must have made the same mistake as me. *light bulb* then i came to this site via google. yeh anyways thanks alot now i can finally start to use my ipod to its full potenital.

Pax writes:

2/27/2006 #

hey
when i tried to do this some of my songs copied over right away but then it said something about the parameter not being correct or something... if anyone know what to do about this could you post about this
thanks

Kari Ann writes:

2/28/2006 #

I lost all my songs when I plugged in my ipod for the first time. I tried your suggestion and I am unable to recover an songs. On my ipod screen with itunes on the bottom it says i've used 20.3mb and have 9.24 left. I can find my songs. Please help.

mellissa writes:

3/1/2006 #

all my songs got deleted from itunes but i stilll have them on my ipod how would iget them back using itunes 6

Niall writes:

3/1/2006 #

Hi Gina,
I've managed to change the setting on my iPod from Auromatic to Manual on my friends PC as suggested but now my PC is telling me that I have to reinstall itunes... "the software required for communication with the iPod is not installed correctly.Please reinstall itunes to install the iPod's itunes" If I go and reinstall itunes will this now wipe what's on my library? These things are so frustrating!

"R.F" writes:

3/1/2006 #

I cannot find the foler "iPod Control". I ran a search for it and everything but i still can't find it. Anybody got any ideas on where it might be located?

reemjob writes:

3/3/2006 #

I followed the steps above, and everything went well, right up until the step where I need to transfer the iPod Control folder to my library. I've tried the whole process twice now and this last step is the only one that won't work for me. I go to >file >add folder to library > and then in the popup window I select the ipod control folder I've created with all my music in it. But then nothing happens. In fact in this popup window, there seems to be nothing in the ipod control folder (i.e. there's no little "+" next to the folder and if I double click it or right click it, it won't open).
I know the files are there, because if I just open the folder on its own, there they are.
Do I have something configured incorrectly?
Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

paul writes:

3/9/2006 #

how do you export you songs on to a friend's itunes when itunes is already installed onto his PC

Tim` writes:

3/10/2006 #

Hi there.

I have the same problem as RF - I cannot find the "iPod control" folder!

I have an iPod photo 40g and the itunes is 4.7.

Any ideas? Please?
Thanks,
Tim

doofdaddy writes:

3/10/2006 #

I want to delete the actual music files on my PC hard drive to free up some space. I have them on CD and on my iPod. Can I do so, and still maintain a library? Thanks.

Jacob writes:

3/10/2006 #

This worked GREAT! thanks so much.

Emma writes:

3/12/2006 #

THANKKKKKK you sooo much i'm sooo happy your steps worked beautifully!!

Debbie writes:

3/20/2006 #

Thanks! This worked great. Just one note on the last step. It mentions that you must be sure to set your iPod to copy files to your library. It's hard to find where that option was, but once I found it, I was set. Without that step, you go to add the folder to your library, but nothing will happen. For those of you with the new iPod Video, you can find it by going to EDIT-->Preferences-->Adavanced Tab and then checking "Copy files to iTunes Music Folder When Adding to Library."

Then go and add the folder as mentiond in the article. Without that, you will add the folder, but nothing will happen.

"D.R." writes:

3/20/2006 #

Thanks for the great article. Between your instructions and follow ups to the comments I was able to make the switch without any hang ups.

Liz writes:

3/25/2006 #

If you copied the music from your library on to your ipod and replaced the existing ones, won't you have to change the songs in the library in order to change the ones in the ipod? Sorry, what I'm trying to say is, whenever I try to add songs on my ipod it does not update at all unless I do it to the library and then auto update the ipod from the library.

dorothy writes:

3/26/2006 #

I followed all your directions to the T - several times incase I'd made an error, but still my iTunes library won't copy this folder. All the other steps seem to work just fine, but this last one won't. Am I overlooking something or could there be a technical problem? Please send me an answer quick!

Sincerely,

Miss Frustrated

Marc writes:

3/28/2006 #

Just download the latest version of iTunes - the default is now NOT to update the iPod... I guess Apple finally got the message! ;o)

Name writes:

3/29/2006 #

How do I Transfer songs from my sisters Ipod to my Ipod should I run It through I tunes or is there a easier way

Please Help Thank you very much

mike writes:

3/29/2006 #

I have the 1500 song maximum Ipod and Itunes on my home computer. I just exceeded 1500 songs on my Itunes library (computer hard drive) and need to take some songs off of my Ipod so I can put some other songs onto it. The owners manual says this can be done but I can't figure it out. I tried "unclicking" the songs in my library on Itunes but that didn't work. Help!

DocO writes:

3/29/2006 #

This worked beautifully. Thanks for the great article.

Adnan writes:

3/30/2006 #

Thanks, this works. But i still have a problem. I have a 30gb Ipod. The actual size as i know is 2.96 Gb (on Itunes library) but my Ipod shows 6.62 gb. Can some one tell me where i went wrong. Just if this helps..When i first copied the Ipod control to the Itunes lib I had done it without changing the Properties.

lachlan writes:

3/30/2006 #

the reason it is more full is the program files used to run the ipod. if you look at a clean ipod it has just over 26 GB of free space.the main reason is of course all the operating files.

Nikki writes:

4/2/2006 #

Brilliant! worked first time... remeber to unhide the folder and then turn off read only...

Thanks so much for the help

Melissa writes:

4/3/2006 #

I just wanted to say thanks. My hard drive fried recently and I couldn't retrieve any of my files. Being able to recover at least my iTunes library from my iPod (with all of my downloaded medical school lectures!) made my day! It made a hard time a little easier...

Reghir writes:

4/3/2006 #

Could someone give me a better explanation of this : Like where is manage library and tag info.Thanks

"Before you do the Add a Folder mentioned above make sure iTunes is set to manage your library and to copy files when adding to iTunes. This is important to get iTunes to organize the songs using the ID3 tags in the song files you just copied over"

Marlene writes:

4/3/2006 #

You are truly a genious and a great person to have put this up for anyone to do. Since my daughter got her ipod as a gift back in Dec we have been trying to figure out how to do this and now FINALLY within minutes we accomplished copying the music from her ipod to her itunes library WITHOUT deleting all her songs AGAIN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Matt writes:

4/4/2006 #

is there anyways to get your playlist back...i got all of my songs but not the playlist...

bubba-joe writes:

4/4/2006 #

I recently did a stupid thing where I cleared the library from iTunes so that I could re-import it because there were a ton of unknown file location things that I knew were still on my computer. Anyway I accidentally hit the move to recycle bin button and this deleted well over half of my music.
Will iTunes auto-sync since this isn't my first time running it or connecting my iPod to this computer?
I'm using iTunes 6.0.4.2 does this matter?
Thanks,

Hrishikesh writes:

4/5/2006 #

Thanks for the help! I rebuilt my PC (all my MP3s were still around, but the iZod library got nuked :( )

Stupid Apple and their stupider software. Hopefully Linux IPod interface works better (should try that too ;)

Bubba writes:

4/8/2006 #

Thanks, big props to the author, VERY helpful. If you follow the steps you will have no problem, this is an old article but it still worked for me GEN IV ipod. if your having a problem putting the new songs back into iTunes, just play one of them, I tunes will automatically open and play it. A window will also appear with different settings boxes, just click on the organize and sychnorize boxes, and it's all money from there!!

Jit P writes:

4/10/2006 #

how do i enable the ipod option in itunes so my ipod can act as a hard drive and appear in my computer beacause it doesn't

James writes:

4/10/2006 #

I deleted all of the music on my ipod when i tried to put my songs onto a blank library. Is there any way to get them back?

Shannon writes:

4/11/2006 #

I can't find my iPod Control Folder, i was looking in the hidden files too. but i was wondering if it has something to do with the fact that when i plug my iPod in it says the name of my old user name from my old computer instead of just iPod, i'm not sure. but i searched a couple of names and the computer still couldn't find it....

PJ writes:

4/12/2006 #

Thanks for your process worked as desgin flawlessly without any issues.

Erica writes:

4/14/2006 #

This is beautiful. It worked perfectly, so now I have a full library at home and a full library at work, and I don't need to worry about forgetting my iPod in the car, at home, or whatever. I love technology!!

-e

Ryan Stephens writes:

4/14/2006 #

How Do You Wipe Your iPod Clean Without Going Through All Of That Copying, It Doesn't Even Work On My PC. So Please Could You Reply As Fast As You Can. I'm Looking To WipeMy iPod Not Fix The Problem About That Copying And Pasting.

Ryan Stephens

mediachest writes:

4/18/2006 #

MediaChest can be used for this purpose with great success. It can be launched directly from a browser.

Anaiir writes:

4/20/2006 #

wow..........it actually worked!!! My laptop was stolen so i lost all my music that was on my itunes and the only way i could listen to it was with my ipod. your instructions worked like a charm

sam writes:

4/21/2006 #

i got a new ipod and i want to put songs from my old ipod but i cant because my friend erased all my song in my library i have only a couple song on my new ipod so can u help me get the songs on my old ipod to my new.thanks

rachek writes:

4/22/2006 #

i was trying to put the songs from my friends ipod onto my own. i thought doing all these steps would work and i could add her songs to my library and then put them on my ipod. i did everything upto where i was supposed to add the ipod control folder into the library. i hit ok but nothing happened.
whats wrong with it?

SK writes:

4/22/2006 #

Your instructions worked flawlessly. Everything copied. Nothing was lost. Names, artist, etc. were all preserved. Yahoo!

Anybody who reads your directions carefully and follows them precisely can do the same.

ale writes:

4/22/2006 #

I recently did a stupid thing where I cleared the library from iTunes so that I could re-import it because there were a ton of unknown file location things that I knew were still on my computer. Anyway I accidentally hit the move to recycle bin button and this deleted well all of my music.
what can i do????

thnx

ps: i kinda have the same problem as someone did sometime ago and wrote it here

CC writes:

4/27/2006 #

IT idiot here - if I'm using my old ipod on a new computer for teh first time do I have to use the ipod cd again and download the software or can I just download itunes and go from there? I'm just very paranoid about losing everything.....

jk writes:

4/28/2006 #

Just download iTunes.

CC writes:

4/28/2006 #

How do you enable your ipod to act as a hard drive?

CC writes:

4/28/2006 #

Worked great, thanks for the help!!

mike jones writes:

4/30/2006 #

i dont understand how to delete the XML and ITL files. when i pull up My Music/ITunes there are four choices. which one do i choose and then how do i delete them from there.

Mike Jones

James writes:

5/2/2006 #

Nice one

Couldn't get it to work till I realised that the control folder was hidden changed that (right click on folder, properitys, uncheck hidden box) and worked fine... Except didn't have enough disk space... Dooh.

Cheers

Sara S writes:

5/2/2006 #

Does this work for the new ipod video?.. just want to make sure before I follow these steps. I might die if i lose my music!

aaron writes:

5/3/2006 #

I did this and it worked. Thanks. Now that my iTunes library is fully reloaded, can I add my friends ipod control file to my iTunes without deleating what I have in my library?
Why did I have to delete the XML and ITL files?
What would be the steps to combine the two iPods?

Jessica writes:

5/3/2006 #

The adding of the whole iPodControl folder to my iTunes library didn't work but I was able to add the files from each of the individual folders within the iPodControl folder to my iPod library. Thank you sooooo much!

"Vlad P." writes:

5/5/2006 #

Not too long ago my girlfriend asked me to help her copy her music from her iPod to her PC...I searched online and found a way to do it through iTunes but forgot how and couldn't find the site again...I know there's a way to do it though...do you know of such a way?

aaron writes:

5/5/2006 #

Jessica,
Did you read this page. It tells you how to do it. Follow the directions.

Paul H writes:

5/8/2006 #

I can't find the iPod Control folder. I've selected hidden files and done a search, but no luck. Please help!

nearly sstuck writes:

5/8/2006 #

i have recently loaded up itunes on my computer and have added the music from my media player on to itunes ect. Is there a playlist or something where i can put some of my music that I don't want on my ipod.. as my sister and i are using the same computer for itunes for seperate ipods any tips would be muchly appreciated as we are both new to itunes. Thanks

:D writes:

5/9/2006 #

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I have been trying to figure out how to do this without buying "illegal" software and such. I needed this because I have used my computer at work to put music on my iPod, like cds from a co-worker, and so i didn't have the music at home on my library.
thanks again for the tremendous help!

paul s writes:

5/9/2006 #

please please please someone answer several peoples questiong being... why cant we find ipod control folder ny ideas anyone?

Paul H writes:

5/9/2006 #

Re my previous comment. I have a 30 gig iPod Photo. Am still trying to find the elusive iPod Control folder. I'm set to show hidden files & have done a search, but can't see this folder. Help, please!

NashvilleNick writes:

5/9/2006 #

I just followed these steps... make sure to select the copied control folder and uncheck the hidden and read only boxes before you try to copy the folder into your itunes...

emski writes:

5/10/2006 #

Awesome. Brilliant.... cant thank all you guys that contribued to this Blog cause it saved me hours and a lot of dollars repurchasing music. TA.

Zabby writes:

5/12/2006 #

This was a life-saver!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing with the rest of us.

Simon writes:

5/15/2006 #

I HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE!
a program called sharepod. You install, then copy and paste it into the folder of your ipod shown in my computer. This allows you to navigate through all your playlist and all of your songs easily, then copy all the songs you want off it back onto your pc again.
try this link: http://www.sturm.net.nz/website.php?Section=iPod+Programs&Page=SharePod

Faith writes:

5/16/2006 #

ok so I used up all the space on my ipod and i deleted all of the songs but it still say i have them all on and i cant put any more on what do I do?

iTunes on a separate computer writes:

5/17/2006 #

Hello,

My iTunes is installed at home. I plug in the iPOd at the office and it says "iTunes has detected that it is not the default player for audi files. Do you want to make iTunes the default player for audio files?"

What do I do?

Thanks

jal writes:

5/18/2006 #

i have copied i-pod to afolder on my computer,, then i have adedd this folder to i-tunes library,,, Q: CAN I DELET THIS FOLDER OR IT WILL ELET THE I-TUNE LIBRARY

Ryder Quigley writes:

5/18/2006 #

Hey.
So here's the deal.
I have recently bought a new 60 gb video ipod and a new MacbookPro.
I have my old PC with my itunes which are now on my ipod video.
I have boughten about 15 songs on my new computer.
Does anyone know how to download my songs (itunes) from my old DELL onto my new macbookpro's itunes. Greatly appreciate the help. Can it be done?

Allie writes:

5/21/2006 #

Hi..I can't seem to find the ipod control folder? I've searched my computer, including under hidden files, and it can't seem to find it..any helo would be amazing! thanks so much!

Monty writes:

5/22/2006 #

The best program to use is ephpod. Do a google search for that and its an easy fast install. Use this to transfer ur songs quick.

vivian writes:

5/26/2006 #

I have a question. I am using another computer right now and play my music on itunes straight off my ipod (added my ipod as a folder) this has been working relatively fine. However, i have downloaded new songs and when i tried to add them on (by updating
it), it erased my entire library. I recopied all the songs again.

I was wondering if there's a way to copy songs from my computer to my ipod without erasing the whole library?

Pete writes:

5/28/2006 #

Many thanks James Kendrick ! Your procedure worked a treat, much appreciated :)

Destiny writes:

5/29/2006 #

I will love you forever. I tried doing htis once and deleted everything. Thank you so much.

hannah writes:

5/30/2006 #

i need help what i need to do it put my ipod on and it is not working what should do i i am confused and my itunes is not working and i have no internet until july
so what should i do ?
thanx i hope you can help me
many thanx
hannah xxxx

Mike writes:

6/1/2006 #

I just got this iPod and i don't have enough room on my computer to fill my iPod and have to keep them on my computer still. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if there is a way to delete songs on your computer and still be able to keep them on your
iPod and tell me how to do so.

Matt writes:

6/1/2006 #

Hey, i'm new to the whole iPod thing and think that iTunes is a terrible program!!!!! My friend uses my computer for her iPod. How can i erase her iTunes library and start afresh with my new, empty iPod??? i have tried to import songs onto it but it does
nothing. Plz can you help me.

thanks
Matt

Richierich writes:

6/4/2006 #

OMG!!! James Kendrick UR DA MAN!!! scratch dat U r thee man!! Ur a freakin genius how da hell did u figure dis out!!?

dallEt writes:

6/4/2006 #

too much freakin work!...its smart and shitt but just download PodUtil or one of those programs you can find on google for free... and all you have to do is plug in your iPod and sit down...

Pete the Skeet writes:

6/11/2006 #

Here's a tip: when I followed these brilliant instructions I couldn't add the copied iPod Control folder because it was still considered a "hidden" folder. I went into Properties and "Un-hid" the folder, files, and contents. BINGO!! Thanks for the
great advice James.

Samuel writes:

6/11/2006 #

I recentley got a new computer. Obviously, I lost my old iTunes library. But I purchased Ipod copy and was able to get the music back on my computer. But then when I tried updating, it stopped midway through the apr. 4200 songs. Then I unplugged my iPod
and on it was just 2 songs. The problem is that under the settings on my iPod, it says that I only have 8 GB left with only those 2 songs on it and I have a 20 GB, 4th Generation iPod. Therefore it won't allow be to load my whole iTunes library on my
iPod because it says i am using up space that I'm really not.

kodimlea writes:

6/12/2006 #

I recently plugged in my ipod and tried to update my music. It asked me if i needed an update, so I updated. Then it told me my playlists had been deleted, and that i could not add any new music because of it. Does anyone have any idea how to get my
playlists back? And no, adding your own playlists does not work.

Thanks, Kodi

sarah writes:

6/13/2006 #

WER IS THE IPOD CONTROL FOLDER???? !!!! LOADS OF PEPL HAVE BEEN ASKING THIS QUESTION....Y WONT ANY1 ANSWER ANY OF US???

Donna writes:

6/13/2006 #

Aloha Sarah...After connecting ur iPod make sure u click NO on updates then x outa iTunes. Go to MY COMPUTER and find ur iPod in removable storage devices (eg: c-drive, e-drive, etc...) Open ur device & u shld b able 2 fnd iPod Control Folder there.
**I gotta a question...i restored my library back successfully from my iPod (thanks brah!), however, there's another iPod in the house w/a different set of music on it...am i gonna end up losing my music to restore her music? Any advice is appreciated!!**

Carlos writes:

6/16/2006 #

thank you very much for writing this. i called ipod and they said they cannot help me out. i was pretty mad. now i have all my songs back. ohh i think i forgot to tell you how they got erased. i deleted my old account o my computer and i fergot to
transfer my songs before doing so!
Well Thanks

jord writes:

6/18/2006 #

Hey guys i got an ipod nano for my birthday not long ago.
i added the songs that i downloaded onto it .. There were about 20 or so songs because my limewire wasnt working. So i took my songs off and took my ipod to a friends house to get her to put her songs on it for me because she had new good songs i liked.
so she did tht and then later on i got sick of the songs so got her to take them off from her computer . Now my lime wire is working and i plug in my ipod to add the songs and it seys ipod updated but no songs get added on then i go file update ipod and
then it seys . my ipod cannot be updated because sumthing enable disk use or couldnt find the disk .. But theres no disk in my computer when i do it.. If anyone can help please soo .. i really miss my ipod =(

Mary writes:

6/18/2006 #

I just wanted to thank you so much for your site. It really helped me out a lot. I had baught a new computer and all my songs were on my ipod. I didnt want to download anymore because of the viruses that downloading gave my old computer. I really
appreciate what u did. Thank you very very much.

"Michael G." writes:

6/19/2006 #

Thank you, thank you, thank you James Kendrick and also a posting from AJG. I just got a new computer, and was trying to figure out a way to get the songs from the iPod to iTunes, and almost gave up, until I found this. You just saved me one big
headache.

Marsh writes:

6/20/2006 #

HELP!! I have all of my music files uploaded to Dell Jukebox/Musicmatch and I need to transfer them all to iTunes. Is there an easy way to do this?? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

kait writes:

6/20/2006 #

ok mr Kendrick, Ive done all of the instructions that you listed. My Ipod control folder has been copied onto the PC. When I open iTunes and go to file and click "add folder to the library" I select the copied Ipod control folder and click OK but then
nothing happens. The folder doesnt get copied into the library! what did I do wrong?!

sancho writes:

6/20/2006 #

hey i just want to say thank you so much. once i figured out all the steps it worked beautifully and saved me the hours agony of recreating my library

kait,
make sure that after you copy the folder, right click it and go to "properties." once there make the file unhidden and uncolor the "read only" box. once this is done you should be able to add the file to your library just fine.

Stack writes:

6/23/2006 #

hi mike,
all you have to do is click the song that you want to delete and press delete then it should say keep files? say yes then the song will disappear

From,
Stack

Stack writes:

6/23/2006 #

How do I get limewire tunes onto my iTunes library? PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From,
Stack

Randi writes:

6/25/2006 #

Hi, my computer recently crashed, and everything was wiped out. And since you seem to be pretty good with all this iPod stuff I was wondering if you could tell me how I could get my pictures from my iPod back to the computer, I have all my songs now, but
the pictures are what I want most. If you have any idea how to do this..please email me.

Thanks so much!!
-Randi

Kristi writes:

6/26/2006 #

Okay..so this is taking me 734874 days to work this....I did everything but my ipod music isn't going to my library? I went to Add folder to library and click ipod control and nothing? please help lol

Wright writes:

6/27/2006 #

Hey Thanks Jim the tip on unchecking the boxes in the Properties Folder now, all my songs went right into the library

Sabrina writes:

6/27/2006 #

thank you soooo much, my computer crashed and last time it happend i lost all my songs, i have the mini and you really just gotta remeber to make the ipod control folder unhidden and not read only which you can find real easily by right clickin the file
and clicking on properties

lala writes:

6/29/2006 #

How do you get the PC to recognize the I-pod as hardware? Right now, its just recognizing it as a CD Drive..or something...

lauren writes:

7/3/2006 #

hae...hope u guys can help. i have my songs from lime wire to my libbary in itune but nw hw do i get them into my ipod nano playlist i tried to drag them in but it wont work....wot do i do?????

NiaRay writes:

7/3/2006 #

My problem is that my I tunes library shows about 1400 songs, but only 400 of them show up on the actual ipod. I've tried to move them through syncing, dragging, etc. all to no avail...Anyone know how I can get all of the songs from I tunes to show up on
my ipod? THANKS!

Ash writes:

7/4/2006 #

I have 2 PC's in my house, well i already put my song collection to my iPod from PC1.... and i have some more on PC2... I was going to install a new Library to my second PC, but im scared that once i update my iPod from PC2, all the songs might get
deleted..... What should i do??

ashley writes:

7/4/2006 #

the iPod folder in my computer suddenly dissapear once the iPod is finally connected to the PC.... what should i do???

Phill in Florida writes:

7/5/2006 #

Thanks a million. It works as advertised with my ipod nano. The Internet needs more friends like you.

rtol writes:

7/6/2006 #

life saver!

Elijah del Castillo writes:

7/6/2006 #

Ok, i have a HUGE SERIOUS problem dude. I have an Ipod mini, where i stored all my music. Then my computer crashed and i lost it all. So what, i still have the ipod. OK, so i started a new account on my moms computer, and everything was going fine. For a
long ass time. But here's the f'd up part, i hooked it up last night to the computer for it to charge and today ITUNES COMPLETELY WIPED OUT MY MUSIC FROM MY IPOD! And when i look at the storage it says it has no songs in it what so ever and its right, but
still has 3.74 GB worth of music as i left it!!!! I mean not only do i have an ipod with no songs, but now i can only put in like 5 songs.... I.. i dont know what to do! :(

Joe writes:

7/7/2006 #

OMFG!! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH.

i just transfered 260 songs from my ipod to my library in itunes.

YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!

shannon writes:

7/8/2006 #

joe!!! how did you copy your songs from your ipod into the library?

i need help! i downloaded my music off of my itunes onto my ipod 30-gb and then i downloaded my friends itunes library onto my ipod.. and now none of her music will show up in my library.. HELP

Nathan writes:

7/10/2006 #

I've been trying this method to extend my library onto a new PC, but when I came to the step where I had to copy the IPOD control folder to my library nothing happened. After a few very frustrating minutes I found a fix. Go under the IPOD control file
that you made a copy of, and right click on it. Go to the properties, and uncheck the "read only" and "show as hidden file" options. I unchecked both and am not sucessfuly copying my songs onto the new library. Hope this helped someone.

OnTheRun: Using Mobile Devices Since They Weighed 30 lbs

How to copy music from your iPod to your iTunes library