How do I transfer songs from my ipod onto itunes

If you are using iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.

For all other non purchased music (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.

Enable your iPod for disk use.

See: iPod Disk Use.

Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.

Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.

Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.

The music files should transfer to your iTunes.

If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.

Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it can be messy.

Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.

One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.

Another free program is Pod Player.

SharePod is also freeware.

Jeff, is there a way to do this transfer on just a handful of songs? I already have 99.99% of my songs on both my ipod and in my itunes. There are just a handful of songs, maybe 12, that for some reason are on my ipod but are NOT in my itunes, and I just bought a new ipod and want to transfer everything. Do these processes work with just a handful of songs, or do I have to copy everything over, meaning I will have duplicates of 2000+ songs?? oy vey.

Do these processes work with just a handful of songs

I know Yamipod does because I've done that myself. You just select the songs for transfer.