Can Itunes read library from ipod instead of HD?

Is it possible to have itunes library read from the ipod itself? I want to delete my 11gigs off my HD to save on space but still want to be able to use itunes to manage and search for songs and playlists as if they were still on my HD but using my Ipod. Thanks

You can delete songs from your iTunes/computer hard drive after transferring them to the iPod, and for this you need to set your iPod to manage the iPod content manually.
However, this is an extremely risky option because when (and not if) there comes a time to restore your iPod, which is a very common fix for iPod problems, then all the music would be erased. If you no longer have the music in iTunes (or any other back up), then all that music would be lost.
At the very least back up your music to either cd or dvd before deleting it, particularly any purchased music/videos, as this would have to be bought again if it were lost. See this about backing up media.
How to back up your media in iTunes.
However, I'm not sure what you mean by "search for songs". And there will be things you cannot do, like sync play counts/ratings etc back to iTunes.

Similar Messages

  • Can I copy library from Ipod to my hard drive ?

    I lost most of my library and all of my playlists from ITunes. All of the music is still in my hard drives and still on my IPod. Can I copy what's on my Ipod back into my ITunes library ? If so, how ? I've got a 80 gig, 5th gen, video, and can't stand the possibility of losing all of the playlists. The computer I want to copy this data to is the only computer that was ever used with this IPod.
    My last post went unanswered.

    For iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.
    Find out how to do that here.
    How to copy iTunes purchases from an iPod or iPhone to a computer.
    For all other non purchased content (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
    Enable your iPod for disk use.
    See: iPod Disk Use.
    Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
    Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
    Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
    The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
    If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
    Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it is a little more involved than other methods.
    Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
    One of the most recommended is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
    Other free programs are Pod Player, SharePod and Floola.
    If you want to recover just the structure of playlists from the iPod (and not the actual song files themselves), there's iRepo for Windows. which I understand has this feature along with all the standard features for these programs.
    iPodRip also has the feature enabling you to reconstruct playlists.
    There is also CopyTrans. This does preserve ratings/playcounts etc if those are important to you but this program is not free. It also supports video transfer.

  • Can't import library from iPod to iTunes

    I was having troubles with my laptop so I was forced to re-load the entire operating system, deleting everything previously on my computer. Now, I'm unable to load all of my songs from my iPod into my new iTunes library. The only ones it is allowing me to import are songs that were purchased through the iTunes store. This is a pain because now I'm unable to listen to music on my computer. Can anyone help?

    Go get some 3rd-party software like Yamipod, Copypod, etc.
    Just google "iPod restore"
    As you've found out, iTunes will only restore purchased music.
    I can't recommend any certain program, since I haven't had to do this.

  • Lost hard drive -- need to restore iTunes song library from iPod

    i recently purchased my first iPod and downloaded iTunes to my PC. I then loaded 850 songs from my collection of CDs. Shortly after, my hard drive crashed - completely unrecoverable. I bought a new PC (laptop) with Vista. Now i need to reload iTunes. Can i download all of my songs from my iPod onto my newly installed iTunes? I'm afraid that when I "synch" I will lose everything on my iPod since nothing will be in my iTunes library. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

    do this:
    To display hidden files and folders
    Open Folder Options in Control Panel.
    Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
    Double-click Folder Options.
    On the View tab, under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders.
    Close the window and go to My Computer again.
    1. Click on your iPod's drive and go to iPod_Control
    2. Click now on Music and you'll see a few folders titled F00, F01, F02, etc.
    3. Click on a folder and highlight all the music, and drag them to Library in iTunes. You should now have all the music syncing, and most will be named correctly, but still some you will have to rename
    **Also, it helps to have the second checkbox in Edit>Preferences>Advanced checked so that it makes a copy of your music file to an independent iTunes Music Folder.**
    ~~This being useful in that you'll be able to play all your music without having to have the iPod plugged in~~
    Does this help???
    Message was edited by: TMusquiez
    Message was edited by: TMusquiez

  • How do I restore iTunes music library from ipod(s) and gift card $s?

    Two Questions:
    1) Had to have my hard drive rebuilt due to a major virus issue with my computer. Had to remove all software. Now when I download my new version of iTunes and try to sync my iPod its looking for the previous software iTunes account and wants to either erase or transfer purchases from my iPOD. I do not want to lose my music library on my iPod. What do I do?
    2) How do I get my gift card $s back that I had in my previous iTunes account? I do not have the original cards anymore...

    1) Have you failed to maintain a backup? You should always maintain a backup.
    2) Sign onto your itunes account. The info is still in your account.

  • How can i transfer library from ipod to ipod

    hello
    i want to know if there's way to transfer all my files/playlist from my existing ipod to a new ipod
    thanks in advance

    The only way I know is to connect your new iPod to your computer that has all the information and sync your new iPod from there. You can't hook-up the two iPods and sync one another.
    Prof.

  • How can I copy song from Ipod to computer or new itune library?...

    How can I copy song from ipod to computer or new itune libray and restore songs that I confuse to delete from ipod?
    I confuse ease all songs from ipod when I changed the setting from maually to sync. I know that when I change this setting, all songs on ipod will arase if there are no the same songs in a itune library.

    Copying from iPod to Computer threads...
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=776996&tstart=0
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=805256&tstart=0
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=797432&#797432
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=809624&tstart=0
    Also these useful internet articles...
    http://www.engadget.com/2004/11/02/how-to-get-music-off-your-ipod/
    http://playlistmag.com/help/2005/01/2waystreet/
    iPod: Frequently Asked Questions
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60920
    Patrick

  • Ok i needed to flush my computer because i had a virus and i had to delete all my music is there a way i can get the library from my ipod onto the new itunes i downloaded because i dont want to have to download all the songs again

    Ok i needed to flush my computer because i had a virus and i had to delete all my music is there a way i can get the library from my ipod onto the new itunes i downloaded because i dont want to have to download all the songs again

    It has always been very basic to always maintain a backup copy of your computer for just such an occasion.
    Use your backup copy to put everything back.
    If for some reason you have failed to maintain a backup copy ( not good), then you can transfer itunes purchases from your ipod.  Without syncing:  File>Transfer Purchases

  • Any way to restore iTunes library from iPod?

    I lost a hard drive on my labtop and had to re-install the iPod and iTunes programs after getting a new disk. Now the iTunes library is empty and would not recognize the old iPod and want to erase all its contents. Is there any way to restore the library from iPod to my laptop (a Compaq running Windows XP)? The Apple site says I can reverse sync up to five computers with the songs purchases from iStore, but I can't figure out where are the buttons either on the iTunes or the iPod. For the experts out there please help!
    Kirkbrook in Cupertino

    Connect your iPod to your computer. If it is set to update automatically you'll get a message that it is linked to a different library and asking if you want to link to this one and replace all your songs etc, press "Cancel". Pressing "Erase and Sync" will irretrievably remove all the songs from your iPod. Your iPod should appear in the iTunes source list from where you can change the update setting to manual and use your iPod without the risk of accidentally erasing it. Also when using most of the utilities listed below your iPod needs to be enabled for disc use, changing to manual update will do this by default. Check the "manually manage music and videos" box in Summary then press the Apply button: Managing content manually on iPod
    Once you are safely connected there are a few things you can do to restore your iTunes from the iPod. The transfer of purchased content from the iPod to authorised computers was introduced with iTunes 7. A paragraph on it has been added to this article: Transfer iTunes Store purchases using iPod
    The transfer of non iTMS content such as songs imported from CD is designed by default to be one way from iTunes to iPod. However there is a manual method of accessing the iPod's hard drive and copying songs back to iTunes on Windows. The procedure is a bit involved and was written long before iTunes 7 so it requires a little adaptation as the iPod preferences are no longer in the location described for instance also it won't transfer playlists. However if you're interested it's posted in this thread: MacMuse - iPod to iTunes
    If you prefer something more automated then there are a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve the music files and playlists from your iPod. You'll find that they have varying degrees of functionality and some will transfer movies, videos, photos, podcasts and games as well. Have a look at the web pages and documentation, this is just a small selection of what's available, they are generally quite straightforward. You can also read reviews of some of them here: Wired News - Rescue Your Stranded Tunes
    TuneJack Windows Only
    iPod2PC Windows Only
    iGadget Windows Only
    iDump Windows Only
    YamiPod Mac and Windows Versions
    Music Rescue Mac & Windows
    iPodCopy Mac and Windows Versions
    Whichever of these retrieval methods you choose, keep your iPod in manual mode until you have reloaded your iTunes and you are happy with your playlists etc then it will be safe to return it auto-sync. I would also advise that you get yourself an external hard drive and back your stuff up in case you have problems again. Relying on an iPod as your sole backup is not a good idea and external drives are comparatively inexpensive these days you can get loads of storage for a reasonable outlay.

  • Can't delete song from ipod touch that is not in my library

    Can't delete song from ipod touch that is not in my library

    Monty's solution will work if you have left the songs in one of your playlists. Another idea if that doesn't work is to check your iTunes list for that iPod. Check at the very bottom beneath the albums, artist,s and other content to add to your iPod, and be sure that you don't have individual songs selected to be added as well. If you do, eliminate them from that bottom list, and you should be fine.

  • HT5100 Is there a way to import my iTunes music library from my iPod to my computer?

    Is there a way to import my iTunes music library from my iPod to my computer?

    You can buddy. Here:
    Transferring purchases from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848

  • When I was talking on phone, suddenly the phone was switched off. i tried to switch it on but it gave the message....connect to itunes for set up.  when I connected it to itunes...it gave the message, itunes can not read data from this iphone, restore it

    when I was talking on phone, suddenly the phone was switched off.
    i tried to switch it on but it gave the message....connect to itunes for set up.
    when I connected it to itunes...it gave the message, itunes can not read data from this iphone, restore it to factory settings. It also said while restoring ypu will lose all media data but you can restore the contacts.
    I restored the factory settings....the phone was on recovery mode...it was verified by itunes and all that..but in the end it again said that iphone has some problem and can not function right now.
    after that when ever i connect it with itunes, it gives the message, it can not activate the iphone further, try again later or contact customer service.
    What to do now?????? Customer service people say..it is hardware problem

    If it's a hardware problem, then the phone will need to be replaced.
    There is no magic that can fix a hardware problem.

  • External hard drive failed, lost music library. Any way to get music library from iPod classic to itunes on PowerBook G4?

    External hard drive failed, lost music library. Any way to get music library from iPod classic to itunes on PowerBook G4?

    Recover media from iPod
    See this post from forum regular Zevoneer for options on moving your iPod data back to your computer.
    tt2

  • Hello! i have a new computer and an old ipod. how can i transfare music from ipod to itunes on new computer?

    hello! i have a new computer and an old ipod. how can i transfare music from ipod to itunes on new computer?

    See this older post from another forum member Zevoneer covering the different ways to copy content from your iPod back to your computer.
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2452022?start=0&tstart=0
    B-rock

  • My computer crashed and i cant recover my library..can i load library from my ipod to new computer?

    my computer crashed and i can not recover my library. can i load library form ipod to new computer?

    Recover media from iPod
    See this post from forum regular Zevoneer for options on moving your iPod data back to your computer.
    tt2

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