Hey Linux community. I have an ipod and I’m trying to put music on it. Itunes simply will not run and it won’t recognise stuff I put on it through files. Is there any thing I can try/use? Information: Linux type: Linux Mint Cinnamon Ipod type: 1.1.2 PC, Ipod Nano, 7th Gen

  • Dr Jekell@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    11 months ago

    Unfortunately Apple seems to be actively working to make sure that the only way an iPod can be loaded with music is by using iTunes which is only supported on Mac or Windows.

    You have a few of options on how to move forward:

    1: Make a Windows virtual machine, install iTunes onto it and pass the iPod though to the VM.

    2: Install Rockbox (if able) onto the device to enable it to act as a USB mass storage device allowing drag n drop loading of music.

    3: Sell the iPod and get one of the many different digital audio players available on the market as most are OS agnostic (they show up as a USB mass storage device) and most use MicroSD cards to store the music meaning you can move the card to a new player as you upgrade later (so you are not locked to one vendor).

    • biscoot@lemmy.getmeotter.work
      4·
      11 months ago

      Wanted to say that I’ve used Rockbox on an old ipod classic with much success. Would recommend. You can even install user created apple-ipod-like themes to get closer to the original look N feel

    • Zealousideal_Fox900@lemmy.worldOP
      21·
      11 months ago

      Thanks for the the tjps but they all don’t look likely they would run.

      1. VM hates me and refuses to run.
      2. Sadly not possible.
      3. I want to use an ipod.
  • muhyb@programming.dev
    41·
    11 months ago

    I have Nano 7 as well and I tried many things over the years. However there isn’t a good solution to this. I have a Windows 7 VM just for my iPod and installed an old iTunes just to put music on it. You can use Gnome Boxes for this job.

  • downhomechunk@midwest.socialEnglish
    3·
    11 months ago

    Just curious why the ipod? Is it for retro chic? Are you trying to load songs you purchased or “backups”? I play my backups with vlc on my phone to save data.

    Ipods have a proprietary handshake that must happen between the device and the computer trying to manage it. The open source community was able to reverse engineer it on the older models but not the later ones.

      • downhomechunk@midwest.socialEnglish
        5·
        11 months ago

        I totally get that! Everyone here is suggesting complicated virtualization options. Maybe they know something I don’t. But if it were me, I’d try setting up plain old WINE and seeing if I can install an old version of iTunes from here:

        http://www.oldversion.com/windows/itunes/

        You could pick an xp era iTunes and set wine compatibility to xp, or 7 or whatever was contemporary for the ipod generation you have.

        Unrelated: my phone insists on autocorrecting ipod to iPad. I feel old now.

        • Dr Jekell@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          11 months ago

          Using a VM is being suggested as it is:

          • Relatively easy to set up.
          • Gives the user a full Windows OS which simplifies software installation.
          • Allows for snapshot backups to be taken of the install meaning if something breaks you just roll back to a previous snapshot.
          • The VM can have the internet disabled meaning no auto updates to the software or OS.
          • Easy to remove the VM and virtualization software at a later date if required.
          • The VM (or another) can be used to run other Windows only software.
  • Peace Love Linux@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    11 months ago

    I use VLC to download music to my ifruit. It’s access via a (browser) ip address and upload/download from there.

    That’s once you enable sharing in the VLC app on your iPod, iPad or iphone