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How do I get my Apple iPod Shuffle to sync with iTunes on my Mac?

I just bought a new Apple iPod Shuffle second generation and before I plug it in, want to know how it's going to sync with my Mac and what I should expect. Is there any software I need to download, for example?


Dave's Answer:

Rather a surprising message: If you're on a Mac, you're on a computer that has a completely seamless connection with every Apple iPod. In fact, when I plugged my Shuffle in, it even had the correct icon when displayed on my desktop:

Apple iPod Shuffle second generation, Icon in Finder

Anyway, before I plugged the Shuffle in, I popped over to Apple to ensure that I have the very latest version of iTunes: Update your copy of iTunes. Probably unnecessary, but I feel better having done it. :-)

Now when I do plug in the iPod Shuffle, I get the iPod Setup Assistant, which starts with some legal mumbo-jumbo. Next step: name it and decide if you want to have the little marvel automatically and randomly filled from your iTunes library or not:

Apple iPod Shuffle second generation, Setup Program

I never have it automatically do anything, personally, since I have specific music (and audio content) that I want to add to the device when I sync it with my Mac OS X system. You might have a different method of using your Shuffle once you plug it in, of course.

Now, since I've worked with iPods before, I am going to eject the device, pop it off its little stand, and reconnect it so that iTunes checks versions. Surprise! Here's what I get:

Apple iPod Shuffle second generation, Update!

Well, "Download and Install" seems like a good choice, so that's what I do. A short while later, my Shuffle again shows up in iTunes, fortunately, so all is good with the new firmware!

Now it's just a matter of dragging across the content I want. I'll do that, and suddenly realize that there's quite a bit of space on this tiny device: I have the entire audio book The Innovator's Dilemma along with a half-dozen of my favorite CDs and it's still pretty darn empty:

Apple iPod Shuffle second generation, Contents in iTunes

As you can see, I'm only using 100MB and have an additional 866MB of space. Nice!

Before we wrap up, I'll encourage you to click on the Settings tab and make sure that your Shuffle, once you plug it in, is set up to match your needs. Here's all you can alter:

Apple iPod Shuffle second generation, Settings in iTunes

Lots to experiment with, for sure, and who knows, it's quite possible I'll switch to autofill and just let the whim of iTunes determine what music is poured onto my Shuffle!



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Comments

My son has a 1st generation Ipod Shuffle, we use a microsoft system.

I back up all the data and then reformatted the hard drive.

When my son plugs in the shuffle it now gives him a msg stating that he can be sync with only one library and to resync he will lose his current music - he just whats to add a few songs.

When he plugs in the shuffle the computer recognizes it as his ipod but doesn't display any content.

any ideas would help
thanks

Posted by: Mike at January 17, 2007 12:07 PM

Question for you please. I am a bit confused re shuffle on iTunes and iPod. When playing one of my favourite folders they always come on the iPod in the same order rather than completely random. When playing it on iTunes itself it moves around and randomly chooses songs. How do I get my playlists playing randomly on the iPod? Can you help?

Posted by: jonesey at March 17, 2007 8:08 AM

Hi, i have an ipod shuffle and do not now how to put music on it. Can you help?
thanks

Posted by: SAM MIDDLETON at November 22, 2007 2:00 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!









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