iTunes version that works with iPod Touch

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Level 1

4 points

iTunes version that works with iPod Touch

I recently updated iTunes to v 12.12.5.8 .. and it no longer works with my iPod Touch. New playlists do not download to the iPod any more, but they do download to my iPhone and iPad. There is plenty of room on the iPod and I've tried re-coding in AAC and various other things. What I've noticed so far as I try older versions:

v12.10.x.x acts the same as the current version .. doesn't transfer new playlists

v12.9.x.x doesn't recognize the iPod device

v12.4.3 error message "iTunes Library.itl was created by a newer version of iTunes"

Given that when iTunes prompted me to update to the latest iTunes - but did NOT tell me "this version will no longer work with iPod and will waste lots of your time" - I would think Apple would make available a version of iTunes that does still work with iPod, even though the device is no longer supported.

Has anyone determined what to do if you mistakenly update to the latest iTunes? Thx.

iPod, iOS 9

Posted on Oct 6, 2022 10:49 AM

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Answer 1

the fiend

Level 7

22,878 points

Oct 6, 2022 12:30 PM in response to BlackDorito

Ah, the infamous dotted circle, I get it now. I have experienced myself and it's infuriating.

The issue is that for some unknown reason, some songs have not been added to the iPod (or have been removed) and are now listed as phantom songs. There has been a long-term issue with erratic syncing, which Apple have yet to fix.

I have recently begun using Wi-Fi Sync to manage my iPod and that seems to produce much better results.

You have two options:

try a Wi-Fi Sync (or, if you're already using Wi-Fi to synchronise your device)...
check the suggestion about erratic syncing by fellow user turingtest2, in this discussion: I can transfer a playlist from iTunes to … - Apple Community (it's the reply to the original question that you want to look at)

I have no idea why cable sync doesn't work correctly anymore. I can tell you though, that the same problem exists with a similar programme to iTunes, that is used for synchronising music to Android devices, and that is fixed by using a wireless (Wi-Fi) sync. Very strange...

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

274,222 points

Oct 7, 2022 8:24 AM in response to BlackDorito

Gulp, I'm not sure I want to go the route of tt2 yet

😲

I don't offer the advice lightly but it does seem that once those dotted circles turn up iTunes doesn't want to get rid of them. A slightly more focused approach is to remove Music only from the device using Settings > General > Device Storage > Music > Edit > All Songs > Delete (assuming that works reliably) and then reload with iTunes. At least that leaves everything else on the device in place.

tt2

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Answer 3

BlackDorito Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 6, 2022 12:11 PM in response to the fiend

Well, I've set the sync options the same for all devices .. and the playlists transfer on iPhone and iPad, but not iPod. I also spent one hour with an Apple Support person (for which I give her thanks) and we reviewed all sync-ing options. In addition, in the perhaps 50 times I've tried to sync unsuccessfully in the past week, the 5 steps it goes thru are always mentioned, but no files are transferred. I've tried:

syncing the playlists
syncing individual songs in the playlists
renaming the songs
various other alterations, like recoding in AAC or lower bitrate

In all cases, the new material (new playlists, new songs) that are not already on the iPod, do not show up on the actual iPod. However, after the syncing operation (which takes a very long time for some reason), the list of songs that is displayed within iTunes as the songs on the connected iPod device, do include the new songs .. however each of the new songs has a dashed circle in front of it. The first time I started seeing those dashed circles (which I understand means "this song is not actually here") was right after I updated iTunes. Thx.

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Answer 4

the fiend

Level 7

22,878 points

Oct 6, 2022 11:13 AM in response to BlackDorito

The latest version of iTunes does work with the iPod Touch (as well as all older iPods as far as I know).

I suggest that you start by checking whether the Sync options for the iPod are still set to Sync and to sync what you expect.

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Answer 5

BlackDorito Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 6, 2022 2:26 PM in response to the fiend

Gulp, I'm not sure I want to go the route of tt2 yet (.. backup, clear device, then restore) because what if the restore (7200 songs, 450 playlists) doesn't work? I have never considered WiFi sync, but I will give it a try, if my iPod Touch has that functionality. Frankly, I haven't considered that erratic sync behavior (possibly due to my cable) is likely because I can line up my iPhone, iPad and iPod on the table, and then plug the same cable into the iPhone (sync works great, first try), the iPad (sync works great, first try), and the iPod (sync does not work for new songs .. over and over). Perhaps the iPod device has less sophisticated USB comm hardware than the other two devices, but I have to keep in mind that the iPod syncing has worked fine for many years up until I updated iTunes recently.

I will try the WiFi sync. Thx.

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Answer 6

the fiend

Level 7

22,878 points

Oct 7, 2022 2:19 AM in response to BlackDorito

BlackDorito wrote:

I will give it a try, if my iPod Touch has that functionality.

I haven't been able to work out when Wi-Fi Sync was introduced, so you'll have to look for it in the Settings (on the iPod). On a 6th gen Touch, it's in Settings /General / iTunes Wi-Fi Sync. If you have iOS 9 on your iPod, that suggests a 5th generation model. The menu option may be the same. If not, it will be similar.

Gulp, I'm not sure I want to go the route of tt2 yet

The Wi-Fi option is easier, although I admit that at this stage it is still a test to see whether it resolves the issue (I'm satisfied so far). If you can try it, you have nothing to lose. I'm not convinced that it's a cable issue because I've used different cables (including an expensive high quality one) and as stated, the same issue (incomplete syncing when using a cable) arises with a certain piece of software intended for Android devices. The developers of that software even go as far as telling you that a wireless (Wi-Fi) sync will be more reliable.

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iTunes version that works with iPod Touch

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