3 Tips to Transfer Music from iPod to Mac in Detail
Since iPod is mainly a music-playing device, there is generally a rich music collection on your iPod and you don't want to lose them. That is probably why you want to transfer music from iPod to Mac, for both data backup and space-saving.
However, unlike you can transfer photos from iPhone to Mac easily using Photos, Image Capture, or AirDrop, it's relatively more difficult to transfer music between an iPhone and Mac. That's because you don't have so much freedom when it comes to music transfer due to copyright issues.
Luckily, difficult doesn't mean impossibility. There are still proven ways for you to transfer music from iPod to Mac, either with or without iTunes. If you need to, you can also apply these tips to transfer music from iPhoneto Mac.
How to Transfer Music from iPod to Mac Without iTunes
For you to transfer music, ringtones, audiobooks, photos, videos, and more from your iPod to a Mac, there is a tool to recommend - Qiling MobiMover, the combination of an iPhone data transfer tool, an iPhone backup tool, a WhatsApp manager, and a file converter.
When it plays the role of an iPhone data transfer utility, it allows you to transfer files between iPhone and Mac or between two iDevices, including music. Thus, when you are looking to transfer music from iPod to Mac, Qiling MobiMover is a workable way out.
To transfer iPod music to Mac:
Step 1. Connect your iPod to your computer running Windows 10/8/7. Run Qiling MobiMover, and click "Audio" > "Music".
Step 2. Click "Settings" in the upper left corner to customize the path to save exported music on your computer. If you don't make a change, MobiMover will store exported files on your desktop.
Step 3. Choose the music you want to move and click the "Transfer to PC" button to start the transfer process instantly. When the transfer completes, check the files at the destination.
Besides, when you need to transfer music from iPod to iPod or from iPod to iPhone, Qiling MobiMoverwill also do you a favor.
How to Transfer Music from iPod to iTunes on Mac
If you are using macOS Mojave or earlier, you can choose to transfer music from iPod to Mac using iTunes. This built-in feature in iTunes allows you to transfer purchased music from your iPod to Mac. Make sure you are using the same Apple ID on your iPod. Then follow the steps below to transfer music from iPod to iTunes on Mac.
Step 1. Launch iTunes on your Mac.
Step 2. Go to "Account" > "Authorization" > "Authorize This Computer."
Step 3. Enter your account information and click "Authorize."
Step 4. Connect your iPhone to the Mac and make sure it is recognized.
Step 5. In iTunes, go to "File" > "Devices" > "Transfer Purchases from [your device name]."
How to Transfer Music from iPod to Mac Without Software
Since iCloud is available on both iPod and Mac, you can transfer music from an old iPod to Mac wirelessly using iCloud on the condition that you have subscribed to Apple Music. To use a cloud-based service like iCloud, make sure you are using the same Apple ID on your iPod and Mac and there is enough space to save the items to be synced.
To transfer music from iPod to Mac without software:
Step 1. On your iPod, go to "Settings" > "Music" and turn on "Sync Library."
Step 2. On your Mac, open the Apple Music app.
Step 3. Go to "Music" > "Preferences."
Step 4. Click the "General" tab and check "Sync Library." Then click "OK" to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may be confused about the questions below. If you do, check the answers provided.
How do I transfer music from iPod to Mac without the software?
If you have subscribed to Apple Music, you can transfer music from iPod to Mac or share music across your devices that use the same Apple ID. Thus, with the help of Apple Music, you don't need any third-party software to transfer iPod music to your computer.
How do I transfer music from an old iPod to my computer?
If you are using a PC, you can use iTunes or a professional iOS data transfer tool like Qiling MobiMover to help. While if you are using a Mac, you have one more choice, which is to use Apple Music.
How do I get music off an old iPod?
To get music off an old iPod, the commonest way is to transfer music from iPod to a computer. Connect your iPod to the computer > Launch iTunes > Go to File and choose to transfer purchases from the iPod.
The Bottom Line
To get music off your iPod, these are the three most popular solutions among users. When you want to put music on iPod without iTunes someday in the future, you can also use Qiling MobiMover and Apple Music to get it done.
It's worth mentioning that AirDrop is not a workable way to transfer iPod music to Mac. It only shares the information of the song, not the audio file. Thus, you can't really download music from iPod to Mac with it.