How to Put Music Onto an iPod Shuffle
By Andrew Mikael
Apple's iPod shuffle MP3 player lacks the screen display and touch controls of other iPod models, relegating the interface to a few standard audio control buttons on the click wheel. The different controls don't change how music is loaded to the device. You still need to use iTunes to add music to and remove music from the device. After you load songs into the iTunes library, moving them to your device only takes a few minutes.
Step 1
Download and install the iTunes software (see Resources). ITunes runs on Windows XP and newer Windows operating systems, and comes pre-installed on newer versions of Mac OS X.
Step 2
Open iTunes.
Step 3
Add music to the iTunes library. Insert a music CD. ITunes will automatically display the tracks on the disc. Click the "Import CD" button in the lower-right corner of iTunes to rip the music from the disc into iTunes. Drag music files already on the computer to the "Library" section on the left side of the iTunes program window until the section becomes highlighted, then release the mouse to add the songs to the library. Also import files on the computer to iTunes by clicking "File" and then "Add file to Library." Navigate to a folder containing songs you want to add, select the songs and then click "Open." You can also purchase new music over the Internet from the iTunes Store in iTunes.
Step 4
Click "File" and then "New Playlist." Type a name for the playlist and drag songs from the Library above the playlist icon until it is highlighted and then release the mouse to add the songs to the playlist. Because you can't browse songs on the iPod shuffle, creating a playlist ensures songs play in the desired order. Drag songs up and down within the playlist to change playback order.
Step 5
Connect the iPod shuffle to the computer using the USB cable that came with the device. If this is the first time you've connected the iPod shuffle to a computer, iTunes will prompt you to name the device and set up automatic or manual music syncing. Automatic syncing will fill the device with available songs and playlists whenever it is connected. Manual syncing lets you drag individual items to the onto the iPod shuffle.
Step 6
Wait for the sync to finish if you chose automatic syncing. If you chose manual syncing, click and drag the desired playlists or songs from the Library to the iPod shuffle and wait for the transfer icon to the right of the iPod shuffle frame on the left side of the program window beneath "Devices" to disappear.
Step 7
Click the "Eject" button to the right of the iPod shuffle icon to disconnect the device from the computer.
Step 8
Unplug the charging cable and connect headphones to begin listening to music on the device.
References
Writer Bio
Andrew Mikael began writing in 2010. His articles appear on various websites, where he specializes in media and related technology. Mikael has a Bachelor of Arts in film from Montana State University.