How to put music on iPod without iTunes? If you are an iPod lover, it’s time to dust off your legacy device and take it out to put the latest music on your iPod in a snap!
Who says the iPod is outdated? iPod has never been in-dated (if that's even a word) than now! Because the need to listen and jam to your favorite songs can NEVER be outdated. That's why you need a reliable way to put music on iPod for yourself or your loved ones.
There are tons of people who still have their ‘old school' devices laying around. So it is time to bring them out and add songs to iPod and update your iPod playlist!
Challenge from Softorino: Dust off your iPod – it can be useful even in 2023! With a trusty app, it is super fast and reliable to transfer music to iPod’s any model or generation!
In this article, you will find out how to transfer music from computer to iPod without iTunes. So let's start, shall we?
Table of Contents
How to Put Music on iPod without iTunes
Since the first iPod was released in 2001, not many people use it anymore. You won't find many updated guides on How to Put Music on an iPod without iTunes. Even if you do, they would either be outdated or would not work at all.
So I found a quick and easy solution for you to put music on iPod Nano, iPod Classic, and iPod Shuffle. WALTR PRO does the job for you without requiring iTunes or Apple Music. It is a free-to-download transfer tool specifically dedicated to iOS devices.
You can transfer music from computer to iPod Classic, iPod Nano, and iPod Shuffle instantly. Thanks to this app, you'll be able to add music to your iPod without iTunes or Apple Music. It works for both Mac and Windows.
What's more? You do not have to worry if your song files are in a non-compatible format for iPods because WALTR PRO converts any music format (MP3, M4A, FLAC, AIFF, APE) into an iOS compatible format ON-THE-FLY!
How does this work? Watch the video for a super quick preview:
Looking for a step-by-step guide on how to put music on iPod Classic without iTunes?
Here you go:
Step 1. Start WALTR PRO
To add songs to iPod, you have to begin by downloading WALTR PRO. Get the installation file here:


WALTR PRO is a free-to-download transfer tool specifically dedicated to iOS devices. You can transfer music from computer to iPod Classic, iPod Nano, and iPod Shuffle instantly!
Thanks to this app, you'll be able to add music to your iPod without iTunes. It works for both: Mac and Windows. And the best part is that WALTR PRO will help you sync iPod without iTunes.
Step 2. Plug your iPod into your computer
For the first-second iPod gens use FireWire cable + USB adapter. For later versions (released after 2004) use the standard USB lighting cable.
The 1st and 2nd generations of iPods use FireWire cables whereas the later versions use standard USB lighting cable. To connect your iPods use their respective cables.
Once you have connected your iPod – the application will be synchronized with the device right away.
Note: WALTR PRO also allows you to connect your iPods wirelessly via Wi-Fi. But not all iPods have Wi-Fi, so go with your convenience. If you have an iPod touch that supports Wi-Fi, you can put songs on iPod wirelessly.
Step 3. Drag & drop a music file into WALTR PRO
To easily add music to iPod, drag and drop either single song files or entire song folders into WALTR PRO and it will transfer music from your computer to your iPod Classic.
Once you have dropped your music files into WALTR PRO, a progress bar will appear and you will be notified as soon as your transfer has been completed. That's just how ridiculously easy it is to put music on an iPod without iTunes or Apple Music by using WALTR RPO.
*The WALTR PRO app can not only convert files on your iOS devices. It can also, for example, Transfer PDF to iPad & iPhone Without iTunes.
How to Download Music on your iPod (from YouTube)
We all use YouTube as our go-to app for listening to music. Whether we are working, driving, studying, or working out, YouTube is always on our phones. What if I told you that you can listen to your favorite YouTube music anytime you want on your iPod without worrying about having an internet connection?
Now if you are Googling “How to put songs on iPod”, stop right there because we have already answered your question. With Softorino YouTube Converter 2, you can download music to iPod without iTunes at a lightning-fast speed. It is actually remarkably easy.
Here's how it works:
Latest Version: 2.1.14, 24 January 2020
Latest Version: 2.2.37, 26 February 2020
- Download Softorino YouTube Converter 2 on your MacBook. The app is free to download with unlimited video and MP3 downloads on your one-day free trial.
- Launch Softorino YouTube Converter 2 on your PC. Open your desired YouTube song in the in-app browser and add it to the download queue. The app will show a preview of your selected song on the top.
- Next, select “Audio”. This will allow you to download music on your iPod in the form of an audio file. In the “Save to” option, select the device by clicking on the iPod icon. Before moving forward, make sure your iPod is connected to the PC via a cable.
- Hit the "Convert and Transfer" button to download and transfer music to iPod without iTunes from YouTube.
You can put music on iPods from over 60+ platforms using SYC2. Cult Of Mac confirms that SYC 2 seamlessly converts videos to Apple devices.
Interesting fact: Softorino YouTube Converter supports every single generation of iPod and iPhone. It can be downloaded for free for 24 hours. Then you can purchase a license. This license includes ALL Softorino products and is priced as a single product, learn more about "Universal License".
Now that you know how to sync iPod without iTunes, without any struggle, continue your journey of building the best music library one can think of. The sky is your limit. Well… if your storage allows 😅
Reasons Why You Should Use iPod in 2023
Reason 1: Update Your iPods with the Latest Music
With WALTR PRO, blow life into those old iPods laying somewhere around your house and update them with the latest music. Go ahead and download thousands of songs to your iPods at once by transferring entire folders with WALTR PRO.
Reason 2: Thousands of Songs in Your Pocket
Sick of getting those “Storage full” messages on your iPhone? Just transfer your music library to iPod and you will have more storage for other stuff in your phone. Have an entirely separate device (your iPod) dedicated just for your songs. With an iPod’s, you can have thousands of songs (40,00 songs in 160GB iPod), right in your pocket!
Reason 3: 36 Hours of Non-Stop Music
Did you know that iPod Classic has a battery life that would last you days! The battery life expectancy of the iPod Classic can clock up even to 36 hours of active usage. This means a non-stop entertainment without having to worry about your iPods dying.
Here's a table displaying the battery life, among other technical specifications of all iPod Classic models:
Reason 4. Better Sound Quality than iPod Nano and iPod Touch
The majority of audiophiles and music experts out there agree that the iPod Classic (based on the model) has a superior audio quality than the iPod touch or iPod Nano. One of the reasons is that it was designed with Wolfson music chips built-in.
Reason 5. A Nostalgic Trip Down Your Memory Lane
Take a trip down your memory lane by holding the revolutionary iPod Classic again after years. iPod Classic was a true milestone and even now, Apple aficionados will gladly spend a fortune to get a rare edition of iPod Classic. It still brings back those sweet memories of the older days.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know that iPods aren't outdated yet, bring them back to life and update them with the latest music without having to use iTunes.
With WALTR PRO, transfer entire folders of songs to your iPod by just dragging and dropping them into the app. Listen to your favorite music without having to worry about the internet or battery life. With better sound quality, better battery life, and better storage options, what else do you need?
Let us know in the comments below!
You can also read our article in German: Wie Übertrage Ich Musik auf iPod Ohne iTunes.
FAQ
How to Put Music on iPod Classic?
One of the best ways to listen and jam to your favorite music is through iPod Classic. But due to the byproduct philosophy of Apple, it's difficult to add your favorite music to the iPod. Don't worry; we have got you here:
- Step 1: Install WALTR PRO on your computer
- Step 2: Launch the app and connect your iPod Classic to your computer via USB
- Step 3: Drop your favorite song in the drop zone of WALTR PRO
- Step 4: Wait for a few seconds and then visit the music app on your iPod Classic How to Put Music on iPod Nano
How to Put Music on iPod Shuffle?
To put music on your iPod shuffle at lightning-fast speed, you need to download the WALTR PRO on your PC and install it. After installation, launch the application and connect your iPod to your PC via the USB or Wi-Fi option. When you are all set up, drop the song that you want to put on your iPod Shuffle in the WALTR PRO drop zone and let the application do its magic.
How to Put Music on iPod Nano?
SYC 2 is perhaps the best way to put music on your iPod Nano. Here is what you need to do to put music on the iPod Nano.
- Step 1: Install SYC 2 on your PC.
- Step 2: Connect your iPod device with your PC via USB
- Step 3: Open the in-app browser and search for your desired song
- Step 4: After finding your song, hit the download button
- Step 5: Now, wait for a few seconds and then visit the music app on your iPod Nano to find your desired song.