rgaw1961

Q: Can't sync my IPOD Nano 6th generation

Is there any new info on the problem that iTunes doesn't recognize the ipod?

iPod nano, iOS 10.0.2

Posted on Oct 1, 2016 2:22 PM

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Q: Can't sync my IPOD Nano 6th generation

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Oct 1, 2016 2:52 PM in response to rgaw1961
    Level 8 (39,333 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 1, 2016 2:52 PM in response to rgaw1961

    More details about your situation would be helpful...

     

    Do you use a Mac or Windows PC to run iTunes?  If Windows, which release?

     

    In current iTunes, when you connect iPod, it appears in iTunes as a device button.  Here's a screenshot of my iTunes window (upper-left corner) with iPod's device button circled in red.

    iPod device button general.png

    If you see that button (icon is different for your iPod model), click it to access iPod's settings screen in iTunes.

     

    If you don't see iPod's device button in iTunes, watch iPod's screen when you connect it.  Does it initially say "Connected" or "Do not disconnect" or give other indication of a data connection?  Or does it only show the battery charging symbol?  Or does it not react at all to being connected?

  • by rgaw1961,

    rgaw1961 rgaw1961 Oct 1, 2016 5:43 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Oct 1, 2016 5:43 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Let me see if I can cover all the bases. I'm using a Windows PC with Windows 10 and the latest update. When I plug in my ipod the 1st message on it is "Connected do not disconnect" followed by " Eject before disconnecting" and then by "Synchronizing " and the revolving arrows. Now at this point I can see it in device manager as a Portable Device

    At this point I open  Itunes, get a message that I tunes doesn't recognize it and then the ipod disappears from both Device Manager and the small icons window that I have to use to safely eject. There is no visible device icon in the iTunes window 50 percent of the iTunes menus are greyed out. As I can't use any eject command I disconnect and get an audible response from the computer. It will also charge if connected to the computer. I've unintalled Itunes 3 times and am at the point where I just want to skip it across an open body of water. I am, however, still open to suggestions

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,Solvedanswer

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Oct 1, 2016 6:00 PM in response to rgaw1961
    Level 8 (39,333 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 1, 2016 6:00 PM in response to rgaw1961

    Sounds like your iPod and computer have a data connection.  That's good and already halfway to resolution.  If you already tried uninstalling iTunes, you probably did not completely uninstall iTunes and related software components

     

    Remove and reinstall iTunes and related software components for Windows 7 and later - Apple Support

     

    Be sure to remove all listed components, in the exact order described.  Then download and install the latest version of iTunes, from here

     

    http://www.apple.com/itunes/

  • by rgaw1961,Helpful

    rgaw1961 rgaw1961 Oct 2, 2016 7:07 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Oct 2, 2016 7:07 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Thank you does not say enough. After fighting with it for a couple of weeks your suggestions worked. I can see my ipod on the iTunes site. I did the steps late last night and was too tired to respond but it looks good. I have to transfer some new purchases to the ipod and then I will know for sure. Thanks again!

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Oct 2, 2016 2:55 PM in response to rgaw1961
    Level 8 (39,333 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 2:55 PM in response to rgaw1961

    Glad to hear that things are working properly again.   Thanks for reporting back with outcome.

  • by rgaw1961,

    rgaw1961 rgaw1961 Oct 2, 2016 3:08 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Oct 2, 2016 3:08 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Sorry, spoke too soon, although my ipod says it is synchronizing my most recent purchases go nowhere. Can't get them on to the ipod. It does show up next to the music button. I can see an icon that looks like my ipod and open it. I can hit the sync button but nothing really happens to my songs. Is there anything else I can try?

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Oct 2, 2016 3:17 PM in response to rgaw1961
    Level 8 (39,333 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 3:17 PM in response to rgaw1961

    Maybe it's not set to Sync Music; it may be set to use the Manually manage music setting (drag/drop songs on iPod in iTunes).

     

    Click iPod's device button in iTunes to show iPod's Summary settings screen in iTunes.

    iPod device button general.png

    Along the left side, in the sidebar, under Settings, click Music.  The iPod's Music settings screen appears to the right.  Checkmark the box for Sync Music

     

    NOTE:  Any songs on iPod that are not in your iTunes music library will be lost.

     

    This turns ON automatic syncing.  You can choose to sync Entire music library (if it fits on iPod) or a Selected portion.  Set up this screen as desired, and click Apply to sync iPod.  Going forward, iTunes automatically keeps iPod "in sync" with changes to your music library (or selected portion of it), whenever you connect iPod (or click Sync if already connected).

  • by rgaw1961,

    rgaw1961 rgaw1961 Oct 3, 2016 7:54 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Oct 3, 2016 7:54 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Once again thank you. I looked at your instructions while checking the settings and I balked at doing it because of a warning that the current content on my ipod would be replaced with what is in my library. I don't want to take the chance of losing what is on the ipod forever. Also, even though i can see the ipod icon it is only there for maybe 15 seconds and then it disappears again. For now I will accept what I have and check at a later date for any new information.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Oct 3, 2016 1:12 PM in response to rgaw1961
    Level 8 (39,333 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 3, 2016 1:12 PM in response to rgaw1961

    If there are songs on the iPod that are not in your current iTunes library, that probably means your current iTunes library is not the one that last synced it.  Then, it makes sense that it does not sync automatically.  Your iPod may be associated with the previous iTunes library.

     

    To avoid losing the songs currently on the iPod (that are not in your iTunes library), because the iPod breaks, gets lost, or become corrupted, you should off-load them and add them to your iTunes library.

     

    You cannot use iTunes to transfer song files from iPod to computer (except for songs purchased from iTunes Store); iTunes syncing is generally in one direction only, from iTunes library to iPod.  However, there are third-party method and utilities that can transfer from iPod to computer.  If you do an Internet search on something like "ipod music transfer," you should get some useful links (including an article by CNET on the topic).

     

    Also, songs (and other media) purchased from the iTunes Store can be downloaded again at no cost

     

    Download your past purchases - Apple Support

     

    After your iTune library is complete (has all of your songs), you can set it to Sync Music (as described in my previous reply).  iPod is erased initially, but then gets reloaded from your library.

    Also, even though i can see the ipod icon it is only there for maybe 15 seconds and then it disappears again.

    If that "iPod icon" is what you see in Windows (not in iTunes), that may be normal (depending on current setting).  iTunes only mounts iPod storage (represented by icon) while it is actively syncing.  That takes place during the first 15 seconds (or so) after connecting it, if there are no songs to sync.  When that initial syncing process completes, iTunes unmounts iPod storage and its icon is no longer seen in Windows (until the next time it syncs).  It should remain visible in the iTunes window, however.