add playlists to ipod shuffle

If this is the current 4th gen (or 3rd gen) shuffle, you can add a playlist or multiple playlists. (Earlier shuffles basically acted as ONE playlist.)

There are two ways to add playlists to a 3rd or 4th gen shuffle. Manually and using automatic syncing. I'll describe automatic syncing...

NOTE: When you set up automatic syncing, the iPod's existing content is replaced. Any songs on the iPod that are not in your iTunes library will be lost. If this is a problem, please post back. I can describe how to add playlists using the manual method.

First, if the iTunes sidebar (along left side of window) is hidden, from the menu bar, under View, select Show Sidebar. The iPod appears in the sidebar, under DEVICES, when connected.

Select the iPod in the sidebar. To the right, its Summary screen is shown. Toward the top, where it says Summary, click on Music next to Summary. This Music screen is where you tell iTunes what and how to sync (for songs).

Check the box for Sync Music. This setting enables automatic syncing. Choose the option to sync Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres. Look under Playlists for the playlist or playlists (in your iTunes library) that you want on the shuffle, and select (checkmark) them. You can also select other items on the other lists, as desired.

When you click Apply, the songs in your selections sync to the iPod (include the selected playlists). Going forward, to update your iPod, you can update those playlists in your iTunes library (add/remove songs). The iPod does not need to be connected. The next time you connect the iPod (or click Sync if already connected), iTunes updates the iPod with the same changes.