Nabbed an iPod Nano gen 5 today. It charged OK, and works.

How do I get rid of its contents and put my own on it? If it were a computer, I could probably do it, but saw nothing in Apple's User Guide about dumping and replacing…

thanks!

iPods were usually managed with older versions of iTunes. That is, connecting it via cable to a computer (Mac or Windows) running iTunes.

That would let you reinstall its software and load your media.
But... I think you may have compatibility problems with newer computers running newer iTunes.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/25/2022 07:19PM by TheTominator.

The computer I use is an iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)

Quote
clyde
The computer I use is an iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)

I believe iTunes would have been installed on that era's hardware (unless you've upgraded to Mac OS Catalina or later). If that's the case, you'll need the appropriate cable to connect the iPod Nano to your iMac. I believe you need a USB-A to Lightning cable. If you HAVE Catalina or a newer macOS, iTunes "died" and has been replaced by "Music".

The cable should still be the same as above.

Yes, the iMac has Catalina and Music has replaced iTunes.

A buddy has an iMac, older than this one—it accepts DVD's—with High Sierra and iTunes. If that's what should be used to change tunes on the iPod Nano Gen 5, how does one go about deleting stuff, then installing new music?

Found a User Manual on Apple today, but if it mentioned deleting/installing I missed it…

Often an iPod will be locked to iTunes on a specific computer; I’d start here:

[support.apple.com]

....if someone has it locked to their account, it is basically a paperweight....until they release it from their account.....there is no way to 'wipe' it as a consumer at least...if it isn't linked, then you can restart/rewipe....

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Have you tried plugging it in?

Maybe wipe from Disk Utility?

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San Antonio, TX (in the old city)


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A format in DU will result in an external drive accessible from the desktop, not an iPod. You have to erase it in iTunes/Music.

NewtonMP2100: "locked to someone's account" good point; don't yet know

Rolando: plugged it in, it charged and showed its contents.

PeterW: "You have to erase it in iTunes/Music." YES, that's what I want to do and will as soon as I understand how! Saw no mention of erasing/replacing in the iPod Nano 5th Gen Users Manual. Do you know where to find instructions??

Thanks!

....btfc linked to Apple instructions on how to reset to factory settings....

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Just noticed you said you had Catalina on your Mac. Since you should be able to see the contents of the iPod in Finder, have you tried highlighting the existing files and deleting them? In Catalina, putting files on the iPod is drag and drop from the Finder.

On a system running Monterey, with an iPod Classic connected via USB cable....

Open Music
Click on the iPod in "Devices"
Click on the "Sync Settings" button when you see the device with list of titles
Click on "Restore iPod" in the Software section of the screen

Working in a shop that gets hot after noon; will tackle iPod Nano later.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

One reason to keep older macs alive and kicking

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So get back to work and sweat some more
The sun will sink, and we'll get out the door
It's no good for man to work in cages
Hits the town, he drinks his wages
You're frettin', you're sweatin'
But did you notice you ain't gettin'?