How to use Winamp to manage your iPod

August 16, 2020 / By

This brief tutorial will show you how to use Winamp to manage your iPod.

Please note: This guide was originally published back in 2007. Quite obviously, a lot has changed since then. WinAMP still exists, kind of, and supports some 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. First, make sure to enable disk use on your iPod by connecting it and opening iTunes (if it doesn’t auto-launch). Select your iPod and then click the Settings tab. Scroll down to the Options section and remove the check from the box labeled Open iTunes when this iPod is attached. Then place a check in the Enable disk use box (if it isn’t checked already). Click Apply.

    2. itunes settings
    click to enlarge

  2. Exit out of iTunes, and confirm that your iPod has now mounted itself as a drive.

    3. ipod drive

  3. Download and install Winamp if you haven’t yet. If you opt to create a custom installation, make sure to leave the iPod support selection in Portable Media Player Support (which is a part of the Winamp Library) checked.

    4. using winamp and your ipod
    click to enlarge

  4. Launch Winamp and if the Media Library window doesn’t appear, select View and then Media Library.

    5. using winamp and your ipod

  5. In the left column of the Media Library window, select your iPod from the Portables list. Any files currently on your iPod will be displayed.

    6. using winamp and your ipod
    click to enlarge

  6. To add music to your iPod, open the Playlist window, add some songs to it and then right-click those songs. From the pop-up menu select Send to: and then choose your iPod.

    7. using winamp and your ipod
    click to enlarge

  7. You’ll see a percentage status indicator as the files are sent to your iPod.

    8. using winamp and your ipod

  8. The files listed on your iPod may not refresh on their own. Just click Portables…

    9. using winamp and your ipod
    click to enlarge

  9. … and then click your iPod again. All of the files you just sent to your iPod will now be listed.

    10. using winamp and your ipod
    click to enlarge

  10. You can eject your iPod right from within Winamp by clicking the Eject button in the bottom right corner of the Media Library window.

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8 thoughts on “How to use Winamp to manage your iPod”

  2. Luiz

    Just after hours trying to set up my iPod nano 5th gen (no success, by the way), I found a FAQ at the winamp help:

    “Can I manage my portable music devices & players with Winamp 5?

    Yes. Winamp 5 seamlessly integrates support for iPod (Shuffle, Mini, Video, Nano (1-4G only, not 5th/6th gen) & Classic models….”

  3. Sumegha

    i can’t thank you enough! iTunes was a pain in the wrong place! every time i formatted my PC, i had to re-install iTunes and make a whole new Playlist. ugh.
    THANK YOU.

  4. muniyrah

    Thank you so much for telling us about Winamp. It works great! I love being able to update my ipod shuffle so easily and remove and add music so quickly.

  5. Larry

    *ATTENTION OTHERS FOR WHOM THIS HASN’T WORKED*

    Hey Ross, your reply would be correct for some other people, but my nano was compatible. I resolved the problem, it had been given to me by a mac user, and I wasn’t aware that it was formatted in different ways, since most mp3 players work with mac and windows, I had assumed it was in FAT format. It wasn’t.

    I had to *REFORMAT IT IN ITUNES ON A MAC* for windows. I am now updating my ipod in winamp!

    Thanks Ross, you’re a star. =]

  6. Milton

    you are a life saver. You how to article is awesome. It is very easy to understand and now I don’t have to use iTunes. Thanks!!!!! :P

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