Ipod classic and Mac OS Catalina

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Level 1

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Ipod classic and Mac OS Catalina

Since the update, my ipod classic no longer syncs with my iTunes music list. I have tried going in the new way, via Finder, but when I click on Music, my entire list of music titles is greyed out. This doesn't change when I click on Sync Selected titles (all have checkmarks next to them). Is this because most were added from CDs and not purchase on Itunes or Apple Music? The only message I get is one asking if I want to delete what's on my iPod currently and replace with the current list? I'm reluctant to click on that as the entire list is greyed out and I don't want to erase everything and not be able to replace.

Can anyone help?

MacBook

Posted on Jan 23, 2021 2:41 PM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

Level 10

278,091 points

Jan 23, 2021 4:48 PM in response to pattyjazz

iTunes and Music assign each library a unique ID. When you sync a device to your library it checks the ID of the last library that was synced to it, if they are the same then differences will be compared to decide what to sync. If the IDs are different the app will ask if it can erase all current content and replace it. As long as all of the content you want to put on the device is in your library then while this takes some time you won't lose any media. If there is media on the iPod that isn't in your library see Recover media from an iPod - Apple Community if required.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

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278,091 points

Jan 26, 2021 2:09 PM in response to pattyjazz

Do you still have your previous computer or a backup? You don't want to replace and restore until everything is set up correctly in the local library. See Move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Community for my general guide to moving libraries around. If you think you've already copied everything over perhaps you imported the media into an empty Music library rather than using the option-start-Music option to open and convert the original iTunes Library.itl file which would have imported the playlists as well as the music. If you do this and find that the imported content won't play because it isn't where Music is expecting to find it I should have a tool that can help repair things, but let's discuss that if you need it.

tt2

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Answer 3

turingtest2

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278,091 points

Jan 24, 2021 1:47 PM in response to pattyjazz

Right, as long as your content is in your Music library and plays then it is safe to sync the iPod replacing the current content with your new selection.

tt2

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Answer 4

turingtest2

Level 10

278,091 points

Jan 24, 2021 8:16 AM in response to pattyjazz

pattyjazz wrote:

Okay, thanks. If I go to iTunes on the mac, I can play the tracks from there. But as we've discussed, not possible in Music, so you may be right. When I add music to the computer though (CDs), I still do that via iTunes with the iPod classic connected of course. Do you recommend then, that I do the Remove and Replace in Music even though the titles are greyed out? I'm at a loss, otherwise.

Do you mean Music? iTunes won't run in Catalina. Your iPod doesn't have to be connected while you rip content into the library from CD. Can we be clear? Are titles greyed out in the Music library, or only on the iPod when it is connected? Does content in Music all play if you try?

tt2

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Answer 5

turingtest2

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278,091 points

Jan 26, 2021 3:10 PM in response to pattyjazz

Understood, but if this the same machine that held your previously working iTunes library then Empty/corrupt iTunes/Music library after upgrade/crash - Apple Community might be your guide.

tt2

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Answer 6

turingtest2

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278,091 points

Jan 23, 2021 5:33 PM in response to pattyjazz

Just a couple of years ahead of me then, but I'm catching up. When your library was converted from iTunes to Music it probably acquired a new ID so thinks it is new even though it really isn't. Is everything in your library? Does it play? Is it backed up? Unlike iTunes before it Music/Finder don't allow you to play content from a connected device, so it is perhaps not unexpected a display of the device will show greyed out tracks.

tt2

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Answer 7

pattyjazz Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 23, 2021 4:56 PM in response to turingtest2

Sorry, you’ve lost me. I’m over 60, I need baby steps. LOL. All I know is the “ID” and I haven’t heard of that before, probably shouldn’t have changed? I mean, before Catalina I had no issues whatsoever. I’ve added two CDs of music to my iTunes recently and I’m unable to add them to my iPod classic at this point. I watched a video on how to do it thru Finder on Catalina, but as my list of song titles is greyed out, I’m baffled. I’m reluctant to click on the Remove and Replace option because all the titles are greyed out. I might end up with nothing on my iPod.

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Answer 8

pattyjazz Author

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8 points

Jan 24, 2021 8:02 AM in response to turingtest2

Okay, thanks. If I go to iTunes on the mac, I can play the tracks from there. But as we've discussed, not possible in Music, so you may be right. When I add music to the computer though (CDs), I still do that via iTunes with the iPod classic connected of course. Do you recommend then, that I do the Remove and Replace in Music even though the titles are greyed out? I'm at a loss, otherwise.

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Answer 9

pattyjazz Author

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8 points

Jan 24, 2021 1:02 PM in response to turingtest2

Yes, sorry, I guess it's Music now. I can indeed play any titles from Music. I actually use an external CD player to add the music to my Music/iTunes list. So, the titles are not greyed out. the only time they are greyed out is when I am trying to sync the iPod. I have it connected and go to Music in Finder, where I have been trying to sync.

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Answer 10

pattyjazz Author

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8 points

Jan 26, 2021 1:54 PM in response to turingtest2

Hi again - sorry to be a pain. So, I went in and opened Music on my mac (without the iPod being connected) and found that my playlists are empty. A few aren't listed at all. So for whatever reason it looks like they did not get transferred? Is this unusual? I'm now reluctant to Remove and Replace because I don't want to lose my playlists. Can I get your thoughts? Or do I need to see what happens when I connect the iPod - I assume I would see the full playlists as they are currently on the iPod.

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Answer 11

pattyjazz Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 26, 2021 2:59 PM in response to turingtest2

Thank you again. At this point, I think I’ll throw in the towel. It’s the same computer, not a new one. No, I don’t have a backup unfortunately. So the only place I currently have all my music and playlists is the iPod itself. Somehow when iTunes morphed into Music it lost a number of songs as well as my playlists. So I guess I’ll just keep the iPod as is and just be unable to add to it which is unfortunate. I have a newer MacBook but never put my old iTunes library on it to avoid taking up space. This old MacBook is really used only for the music but sadly it updated to Catalina without my knowledge. The only option would be if there is a way to transfer all the music currently on my iPod into a new Music library but I’m doubtful. I’m pretty confused at this point. But I want to thank you for all your help and giving it a good try.

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