What is "Autofill"?

If you have an iPod shuffle autofill adds a random selection of songs from your library to the iPod.

With 8.1 it is available for all ipod types that have the checkbox for 'manually manage music' checked off.


Here is what the itunes 8.1 help states:

*To choose Autofill options:*

1. Select Music (below your iPod in the list of devices), and then click Settings (next to the Autofill button at the bottom of the iTunes window).


2. Choose your settings in the window that appears.
To use Autofill to fill the remaining space on your iPod, deselect “Replace all items when Autofilling.”
To add songs in the order in which they appear in your library or selected playlist, deselect “Choose items randomly.”
To add songs that you rate higher or listen to more frequently, select “Choose higher rated items more often.”
To reserve disk space for file storage, use the slider.
3. Click OK.
To choose the playlist you want to add songs from, use the pop-up menu. To add music from your entire library, choose Music.
NOTE:Autofill is available only if you manage the music on your iPod manually.

I have tried to follow your instructions with no success.
Autofill has never worked for me.

How do I, 'manage the music on my iPod manually', and what is the point of choosing this option if I am choosing an automatic function to do it for me?

It seems there is at least a contradiction in terms.

'manage the music on your iPod manually' - I can't find the switch which does this.

*How do I, 'manage the music on my iPod manually',*

Connect your iPod to your computer and click on it's icon when it appears in iTunes. Check the "manually manage music and videos" box in Summary then press the Apply button: Managing content manually on iPod and iPhone

*and what is the point of choosing this option if I am choosing an automatic function to do it for me?*

Autofill allows you to add as many tracks as you want manually by dragging them from your library to the iPod then if you have any space left over you can have iTunes add a random selection of songs to fill up the space you haven't used.