iPod nano - Syncing automatically or manually

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Syncing automatically or manually

There are two ways to add content to iPod nano:

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Automatic syncing: When you connect iPod nano to your computer, iPod nano is automatically
updated to match the items in your iTunes library. You can sync iPod nano automatically with
only one computer at a time.

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Manually managing iPod nano: When you connect iPod nano, you can drag individual items
to iPod nano and delete individual items from iPod nano. You can add songs from more than
one computer without erasing songs from iPod nano. When you manage music yourself,
you must always eject iPod nano from iTunes before you disconnect it (see “Connecting and
disconnecting iPod nano” on page 12).

Automatic syncing

iPod nano normally syncs whenever you connect it to iTunes.

While music is being synced from your computer to iPod nano, the iTunes status window shows
progress, and you see a sync icon next to the iPod nano icon in the device list. When the update
is done, a message in iTunes says “iPod update is complete,” and a bar at the bottom of the iTunes
window displays how much disk space is used by different types of content.

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Important:

The first time you connect iPod nano to a computer that it’s not synced with, a

message asks if you want to sync songs automatically. If you accept, all songs, audiobooks,
and other content are erased from iPod nano and replaced with songs and other items from
that computer.

You can prevent iPod nano from syncing when you connect it to a computer other than the one
you usually sync with.

Turn off automatic syncing for iPod nano:
In the iTunes Summary tab, deselect “Open iTunes when this iPod is connected,” and then

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click Apply.

If you turn off automatic syncing, you can still sync by clicking the Sync button.

Managing iPod nano manually

If you manage iPod nano manually, you can add and remove individual songs and other content.
You can also add content from multiple computers to iPod nano without erasing items already on
iPod nano.

Setting iPod nano to manually manage music turns off the automatic sync options in the Music,
Podcasts, iTunes U, and Photos panes. You can’t manually manage some and automatically sync
others at the same time.

Note: Genius Mixes don’t work if you manually manage content. You can still manually sync
Genius playlists to iPod nano, and create Genius playlists on the iPod after a manual sync of
Genius content. See “Playing Genius Mixes” on page 27.

Set iTunes to manage content manually:

1

In iTunes Preferences, click Devices, and then select “Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from

syncing automatically.”

2

In iTunes, select iPod nano in the device list and click the Summary tab.

3

In the Options section, select “Manually manage music.”

4

Click Apply.

When you manually manage content on iPod nano, you must always eject iPod nano from iTunes
before you disconnect it. See “Eject iPod nano:” on page 13.

Add a song or other item manually:

1

In iTunes, click Music or another item below Library on the left side of the iTunes window.

2

Drag a song or other item to iPod nano in the device list.

Remove a song or other item from iPod nano:

1

In iTunes, select iPod nano in the device list.

2

Select a song or other item on iPod nano, then press the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard.

If you remove a song or other item from iPod nano, it isn’t deleted from your iTunes library.

You can reset iPod nano to sync automatically at any time.

Reset iTunes to sync automatically:

1

In iTunes, select iPod nano in the device list and click the Summary tab.

2

Deselect “Manually manage music.”

3

Select the Music and Podcasts tabs, and select your sync options.

4

Click Apply. The update begins automatically.

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Chapter 4

Syncing with iTunes