The New User's Guide for iPod
Summary
Have a new iPod? This handy guide will help you set it up and use it.
Products Affected
iPod

1. Install the latest version of iTunes
Before you connect your iPod to your Mac or PC computer or use it, you must install the latest iTunes software.
2. Connect and Set Up your iPod
Charge your battery by connecting it to an Apple iPod Power Adapter or connect your iPod to a high-power USB port that's located directly on your computer to ensure that your computer charges your iPod battery. (If your computer doesn't seem to recognize your connected iPod, wait about thirty minutes to allow the iPod battery to charge before going further.)
3. Fill your iPod and iTunes with Music
Once you finish the setup, iTunes will open. It will then either:
- Automatically start filling your iPod with music from your iTunes library (if you set iTunes to automatically update your iPod)
or
- Allow you to pick and choose which music, videos*, audiobooks, and podcasts to add, if you opted to manually manage music on your iPod.
To manually add content, simply drag any file from your iTunes library or playlist to the iPod icon in the iTunes Source list. If you're using iTunes for the first time, you'll need to add some music to iTunes first, such as songs from your own CDs or music already on your hard drive.
- Adding my music to iTunes
- Adding my iTunes music to my iPod
- Using your iPod as a disk drive* for music and other files.
Note: Syncing music to iPod is a one-way street. You cannot copy music from an iPod to a computer unless you enable your iPod as a hard disk first and then copy music files to its disk volume. - Sync and view videos*
*Not available on all iPod models.
4. Disconnect your iPod
Once you've got your music, audiobooks, videos, and other files on your iPod, you're ready to enjoy it.
- If you see an “OK to Disconnect” message on your iPod, simply disconnect it from your computer.
- If you see a “Do Not Disconnect” message, click the eject icon that appears next to the iPod icon in the iTunes Source list and then disconnect your iPod from your computer when you see the “OK to Disconnect” message.
- Safely disconnect iPod.
5. Play your iPod
Now you’re ready to enjoy your iPod.
6. Learn more
Whether you're a Mac or Windows user, the information below will help you enjoy your iPod to its fullest.
7. Troubleshooting
General
- Trouble adding music to iTunes
- Trouble syncing music to my iPod
- iPod not responding—it appears to be frozen
- Exclamation point folder or sad iPod icon on the screen
Mac
- Trouble installing iTunes for Mac OS X
- Mac doesn't recognize connected iPod
- iPod shows up in Mac OS X but not in iTunes
Windows
Additional Information
For additional information, see these articles:
- Manual for your specific iPod
- iPod + iTunes Support pages: Learn more about using iPod and iTunes, troubleshooting issues, and getting service and support.
- iPod Service FAQ
- Contact Us: Contacting Apple Service and Support.
- iPod Discussions: Consult hundreds of iPod users and experts in our iPod Discussions forums. You can ask a question, answer a question, or simply read what others have to say.
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