A Complete Guide to Managing an iPod in Linux

PDF download Download Article
Tinker with your iPod on a Linux computer in a few simple steps
PDF download Download Article

iPods are the most famous audio players worldwide. iTunes is the official software to manage your iPod, but it only runs in Microsoft Windows and Mac OS. So what if you want to manage an iPod in Linux? With older iPod models, there are a few software options to help. On newer/unsupported iPods, though, these methods may not work and your only option may be to use iTunes via dual booting or virtualization of MS Windows or macOS.

Things You Should Know

  • Use an iPod management software that is compatible with Linux, such as Floola, AmaraoK, or gtkpod.
  • Connect your iPod to your computer and run the management software.
  • Click the "Connect" button to view and reshuffle your files and folders.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [1]
    • Floola (proprietary)
    • AmaroK [2] (KDE)
    • gtkpod (Linux)
    • gPodder (Linux)
    • Rhythmbox (GNOME)
    • aTunes (cross platform, Windows, Mac OS, Linux)
    • Yamipod (cross platform, Windows, Mac OS, Linux)
    • Banshee (Mac OS, Linux, Windows beta release)
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It should appear in storage devices, so mount your iPod.
    • mount /dev/sdc2 /media/ipod
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you click connect, many iPod management applications will offer to initialize it.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Classic 4th generation, Nano 3rd generation, Shuffle 2nd generation etc).
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Manage-an-iPod-in-Linux-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The screen on your iPod will display OK to Disconnect when it is okay to disconnect.
    9. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings


      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Copy Music from Your iPod to Your Computer
      How to
      Check & Identify Your iPod's Generation
      How to
      Unlock a Disabled iPod
      5 Easy Ways to Open Any Otterbox Case
      How to
      Add Music to an iPod
      4 Easy Ways to Get Windows to Recognize Your iPod
      How to
      Turn Off Your iPod Classic
      How to
      Charge an iPod Shuffle
      How to
      Turn on Your iPod: Touch, Nano, Classic, and Shuffle
      How to
      Reset & Restore Every Gen of iPod Nano
      2 Ways to Transfer Songs Off Your iPod Without iTunes
      How to
      Put Music on iPod Shuffle
      Easy Ways to Reset and Restore an iPod
      How to
      Put an iPod Into Disk Mode
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_iPod_managers
      2. ↑ http://amarok.kde.org/
      3. http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/07/04/how-to-use-amarok-to-manage-your-ipod-in-ubuntu/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 210,382 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement