How to use Amarok to manage your iPod in Ubuntu

Now that you’ve installed Amarok in Ubuntu, you’ll want to use it manage your iPod. This tutorial will take you through the steps to do just that, and it will also show you how to make Amarok the default program that launches when your iPod is connected.

Please note: This guide was originally published back in 2007. Quite obviously, a lot has changed since then (including Ubuntu). Amarok still exists, and supports quite a few iPod models. With that said, the steps and screenshots used in this guide have likely changed. It’s staying up as a historical/archived document, and should be treated as such.

  1. When you plug your iPod into your computer, Rhythmbox will launch by default. Close it down, and open Amarok. Select Settings from the top menu and then Configure Amarok… from the drop-down list.
  2. amarok  ipod
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  3. Select Media Devices from the left column. In the Media Devices: section select Apple iPod Media Device from the Plugin: drop-down. Click Apply and then OK.
  4. amarok  ipod
    click to enlarge

  5. Back in Amarok click the Devices tab from the left column (if it isn’t already displayed).
  6. amarok  ipod
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  7. To add files to your iPod, drag some from your collection to the iPod list. They’ll appear in a Transfer Queue window.
  8. amarok  ipod
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  9. Click the Transfer button from the top menu and the files will be loaded onto your iPod.
  10. amarok  ipod
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How to make Amarok the default software for your iPod

  1. Select System -> Preferences -> Removable Drives and Media.
  2. amarok ipod
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  3. Select the Multimedia tab and then click the Browse… button in the Portable Music Players section.
  4. amarok ipod
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  5. Assuming you installed Amarok in the default location, select File System from the Places column, then the usr folder and finally the bin folder. Scroll down to amarok, select it and then click the Open button.
  6. amarok ipod
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  7. Back at the Removable Devices and Media Preferences window, click the Close button.
  8. amarok ipod
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  9. The next time you plug in your iPod, Amarok will launch.
  10. amarok ipod
    click to enlarge


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5 thoughts on “How to use Amarok to manage your iPod in Ubuntu”

  1. Sup-erb tutorial – read several ‘HOW TO’s’ and this is the best – simple and clear with great screenshots.

  2. Great tutorial. It is sites like this that making the transition to Linux from Windows worth it. Thanks.

  3. Nice Tutorial! Infact I use Amarok for music transfer to my Video iPod. However, the feature in iTunes which I love and which Amarok doesn’t seem to have, is that you can create playlists. Is there a way to do that , in amarok?

  4. THANKS!!! My Ipod was a rejected from Itunes. Simply no comunication between them in windows. I was about to send it to service, and since Apple has no store in my town, there was about 30 dolars delivery and a 15 days waiting period. But now Amarok made it sound perfectly!

    Thaks to the one that wrote the tutorail.

    David Corona, from Chetumal, Mexico

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