kelly326

Q: How do I reformat my iPod nano from a windows computer to a new mac without erasing any of its data?

How do I reformat my iPod nano from a windows computer to a new mac without erasing any of its data?

iPod nano

Posted on Feb 26, 2016 9:13 PM

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Q: How do I reformat my iPod nano from a windows computer to a new mac without erasing any of its data?

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Feb 27, 2016 1:18 AM in response to kelly326
    Level 8 (38,924 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 27, 2016 1:18 AM in response to kelly326

    Technically, IF the iPod was set to use the Manually manage music [and videos] setting, you don't have to reformat it to use with a Mac.  Macs can read and write the Windows format used for iPods (FAT32), and you can continue to manually load songs on the iPod.  The actual problem is that the iPod can only be associated with one iTunes library at a time, IF you use the automatic sync setting.  Setting up automatic syncing with a new iTunes library replaces (erases) the iPod's existing content from the old iTunes library.

     

    Do you still have the Windows PC?  If you do, with its iTunes library intact, the best way to proceed is to transfer the complete iTunes library from the Windows PC to the Mac.  If that iTunes library has all of your songs, you can then do a Restore on the iPod using iTunes (on the Mac) and sync your songs back to the iPod.  The Restore reformats the iPod for Mac.  If this is possible, please post back for more info.

     

    If you don't want the iPod's data erased, does that mean it holds the only copies of your songs?  You don't have a backup of your iTunes library from the Windows PC?