Summary
In this guide we will teach you two practical ways to convert Apple Music to MP3 or M4A format that be compatible with iPod, then you can transfer Apple Music songs/playlists to iPod touch, iPod nano, iPod shuffle for offline playing freely.

Can you put Apple Music on an iPod Classic? I often listen to music with iPod Classic, when I am running, yogaing, traveling..Recently, I subscribed to Apple Music service, since the downloaded songs are M4P format, I don’t know how to transfer Apple Music tracks from iTunes to iPod nano, how to convert Apple Music M4P file to MP3 or M4A supported by iPod nano. Any suggestions?”

How to sync Apple Music to my iPod nano for offline playback? Is it possble to convert and transfer Apple Music songs to my device? How? Thanks.”

About iPod Touch (7th generation)
The seventh generation iPod Touch (marketed as the iPod touch, colloquially known as the iPod touch (2019) or iPod touch 7) is a discontinued mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-based user interface. It is the successor to the iPod Touch (6th generation), the first major update to the line since 2015. It was released on May 28, 2019, and discontinued on May 10, 2022. It was the final product in Apple’s iPod product line.

ipod 7

The seventh-generation iPod touch features iOS, Apple’s mobile operating system. The seventh-generation iPod touch was introduced on May 28, 2019, running iOS 12.3. It can play music, movies, television shows, audiobooks, and podcasts and can sort its media library by songs, artists, albums, videos, playlists, genres, composers, podcasts, audiobooks, and compilations. Scrolling is achieved by swiping a finger across the screen. Alternatively, headset controls can be used to pause, play, skip, and repeat tracks. However, the EarPods that came with the seventh-generation iPod touch do not include a remote or microphone. The seventh-generation iPod touch supports iOS 13 through iOS 15, but does not support iOS 16.

Apple Music is the best music streaming service for most people, but it’s a pity that you can’t play Apple Music on iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle, iPod Classic, and even iPod Touch. When you are trying to sync downloaded Apple Music tracks to iPod nano, classic or shuffle, you’ll get an error message saying “Apple Music songs cannot be copied to an iPod”. In fact, many people may confuse that why they can’t sync Apple Music to iPod. How to import Apple Music to iPod? Check out this post, you will find the answers! After that you will know how to sync Apple Music to iPod nano/shuffle/classic/touch for listening without limits.

Why Apple Music Songs Cannot be Copied to iPod Nano/Shuffle/Classic?

Generally, when you put Apple Music to an iPod, you will receive a message saying: “Apple Music songs cannot be copied to an iPod.” Confused why? Since all music provided by Apple Music is streaming content. With a Apple Music subscription, you need a network or Wi-Fi to listen to Apple Music online. However, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, iPod classic and iPod touch are not offered with network and Wi-Fi. What’s more, there is no Apple Music app for old iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle and iPod Classic. On the other hand, in order to prevent users from unsubscribing after downloading and keeping songs, all songs in Apple Music are in M4P format with DRM protection added. And iPod device don’t support DRM-ed M4P format. Therefore, you cannot transfer or enjoy Apple Music songs directly on iPod or any non-Apple devices. So how to fix iPod nano/classic/shuffle/touch not syncing Apple Music issues? Keep reading!

apple music can't be copied to ipod

Method 1: Sync Apple Music to iPod with Syncing Library

Apple Music is not available on iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle and iPod Classic, but if you use iPod Touch 5, iPod Touch 6 or the latest iPod touch model, and your iPod Touch works on iOS 8.4 or later, of course you can enjoy Apple Music on your iPod Touch 5/6/7/8, as well as iPhones and iPads. If you have subscribed to Apple Music service with iTunes on Windows or Apple Music app on Mac, when you have got an new iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad, you can turn on Sync Library to access your music library and songs, then you are allowed to download Apple Music on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch 5/6, etc. Let’s follow the steps to sync Apple Music to iPod touch 8th Gen by Turning on Sync Library function.

Sync Apple Music to iPod Touch 8 (or newer) by Turning on Sync Library

Step 1. Connect your iPod touch 8th to the Internet over a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
Step 2. Update your iPod touch to the latest iOS version.
Step 3. If you have subscribed to Apple Music or iTunes Match, please sign in to your iPod touch devices with the same Apple ID.
Step 4. Go to Settings > Music on your iPod touch.
Step 5. Turn on Sync Library – If you have subscribed to Apple Music or iTunes Match, you can see an option to turn on Sync Library.

Sync Library

Tips: If Sync Library function is updating or turned off, you’ll see a message at the top of the Library tab in the Apple Music app. However, if you cancel Apple Music subscrion, all synced Apple Music tracks becomes unplayable. In this case, if you want to save Apple Music songs on all iOS devices without subscription – iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, converting Apple Music to unprotected format is the best way to keep Apple Music forever. In this way, you are able to listen to Apple Music songs/playlist on any devices, not only iPod devices.

Convert Apple Music to MP3 for Syncing to iPod

In order to put Apple Music to iPod Nano/Shuffle/Classic/Touch, you need a third party tool to help you convert Apple Music M4P songs to common audio formats like MP3 or M4A, so that you can import them to any iPod devices and MP3 player. In other words, you can sync Apple Music to any iPod models for offline playback.

TunesBank Apple Music Converter stands out among all music converters that lets you convert Apple Music to MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC with keeping original audio quality. Better yet, it supports to convert iTunes purchased M4P songs, iTunes Audiobook and Audible Audiobook to MP3 format to adapt your devices and players. With a built-in Apple Music Web Player, you can browse, search, play and any song online! After which, you can easily add the Apple Music MP3 songs to your iPod, iPhone, iPad, for offline listening without Apple Music subscription.

Key Features of TunesBank Apple Music Converter:

  • Strip DRM protection from Apple Music, iTunes, and Audiobook.
  • Convert Apple Music to MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC at 320kbps quality.
  • Convert iTunes Music, iTunes Audiobook, Audible Audiobook to MP3.
  • Preserve Original quality and ID3 tags, metadata in output MP3 files.
  • Built-in Apple Music Web Player and Music Player, no iTunes/Apple Music app needed.
  • Extract MP3 audios from iTunes videos for importing to all iPod devices.
  • Play Apple Music on iPod Nano/Shuffle/Classic/Touch with ease.
  • Enjoy Apple Music offline on smartphone and portable devices.
  • Burn Apple Music to a CD or upload to iTunes/One Drive/Google Drive, etc.

Seeking for a way to put Audible Audiobooks to any MP3 player, iPods, Sony Walkman, etc.? TunesBank Audible Converter can help you listen to Audible books offline on any device without limits! This powerful tool is able to converts Audible AA/AAX audiobooks to MP3, M4A, FLAC, WAV format with lossless quality at 100X high speed!

2.1:How to Convert Apple Music to MP3/M4A for iPod

Step 1. Launch TunesBank Apple Music Converter
TunesBank Apple Music Converter is a desktop app for Mac and Windows. Free download and install TunesBank Apple Music Converter on your computer. When you launch it, you need to sign with your Apple ID in its built-in Apple Music web player to allow TunesBank access your music library.

launch apple music converter

Step 2. Select the Apple Music Tracks to Convert
Click “+” icon to add your wanted Apple Music track or playlist contain the songs for converting to MP3/M4A.

add Apple Music playlist

Click the check box to select the songs to be converted. 10X faster speed allows you to batch convert any number of Apple Music songs.

Select Apple Music Songs

Step 3. Choose Output Format and Customize Output Parameter
Since ipod touch, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, iPod touch, iPhone, iPad and most Apple devices supports MP3 or M4A format, you are suggested to select MP3 or M4A as output format.

Select MP3 Output Formats

In addition, you also can customize Output Folder, Output Format, Output Quality, Bitrate, Sample rate of the output file.

customize output settings

Step 4. Convert Apple Music be Supported by iPod
Now, it’s time to press on “Convert All” button to start converting Apple Music songs to MP3/M4A without quality loss.

Convert Apple Music to MP3

Once done, go to “Finished” section to view all the converted MP3 songs, click the “View Output File” button to open the output folder in detail.

get output apple music files

After converting Apple Music tracks to MP3 or M4A files with using TunesBank Apple Music Converter, so that you can sync the converted Apple Music songs to iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Shuffle or iPod Touch for offline listening!

2.2: Sync the Converted Apple Music to iPod Nano/Shuffle/Classic via iTunes

Now you have got converted Apple Music tracks in MP3 or M4A with TunesBank Apple Music Converter, you can use iTunes to sync the converted Apple Music songs to your iPod device or more Apple devices.

Step 1. Launch iTunes on your PC/Mac, create a new playlist in iTunes library, then add the converted Apple Music songs (MP3 or M4A files) to this new created playlist.

Step 2. Connect your iPod Nano or iPod Shuffle to computer with a USB cable. Then tab the iPod icon near the top left of the iTunes window.

Step 3. In the left panel, click “Music”, select the box beside to “Sync Music”. Here you can select “Entire Music Library” or “Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres” according to your needs.

Step 4. Click the “Apply” button at the bottom of the screen to sync the converted Apple Music to iPod device.

sync apple music to ipod nano

Tips: Similarly, this method is also suitable for converting and transferring Apple Music to iPhone, iPad, iPod Classic, iPod Touch.

2.3: Transfer the Converted Apple Music to iPod Nano/Shuffle/Classic via USB Cable

In addition to iTunes, you can put Apple Music on iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle or iPod Classic via USB cable. Here we take iPod Nano as example and teach you how to copy Apple Music to iPod Nano.

Step 1. Use an Apple USB cable to connect the iPod Nano to your PC. Go to “My Computer” to click on your device.

Step 2. Tap on “Tools”, and find the “Folder Options”. Under the “View” option, select “Show hidden files and folders”. Then click “Apply”.

copy apple music to ipod

Step 3. Back to “My Computer” and click on the “iPod” folder, then copy and paste the converted Apple Music files to the folder.

Step 4. When finished, eject the iPod Nano, then you will be able to listen to all your favourite Apple Music songs on you iPod at anytime, anywhere!

Extract Tips: How to Transfer Music from an Old iPod to Computer/iPhone

In this extract part, we will teach you transfer music from an old iPod to computer or iPhone. You can follow the steps to back up music files.

Copy Music From iPod to a Computer
Step 1.Connect your iPod to computer via USB cable. Then head to “My Computer”, open the iPod drive and go to “iPod_Control” > “Music” folder. As you see, they are all named with “F” at the beginning.

music on iPod

Note: If your iPod drive is empty, you need to select “Show hidden files and folders” (you can refer to the tutorial in 2.2 above).

Step 2. Then copy all the music files from the music folder, and paste the files to a local folder on the hard drive. It will transfer your music from iPod to your computer.

transfer music from ipod to pc

Copy Music From iPod to iPhone

After transferring music from iPod to computer, you can rename the songs. Next, you need to create a new playlist in iTunes, and then manually add music files from the local folder. Please note that on macOS Catalina and newer, your music library will appear in the Apple Music app. After that, you can sync music files to iPhone on iTunes.

sync music to iphone

FAQ about iPod Device

Q1: Does Apple Music Work on iPod Touch?
A1: Apple Music works on iPod touch. You can play and download Apple Music on your iPod touch under an Apple Music subscription.

Q2: Can Apple Music Songs be Synced to iPod?
A2: Apple Music songs can’t be synced to iPod touch without Apple Music subscription. You are not allowed to copy Apple Music songs to iPod classic, nano, and shuffle also, since they are not supports Apple Music.

Q3: What iPod Model are Compatible with Apple Music?
A3: Apple Music requires an iPod touch from 5th generation to 7th generation with iOS 8.4 or newer.

Final Words

Well, this post helps you solve the issue about sync Apple Music to iPod device. Thanks to TunesBank Apple Music Converter, you can easily convert DRM-locked Apple Music M4P songs to M4A, MP3 or other popular formats with high audio qualiy, so that you could put Apple Music on iPod Nano/Shuffle/Classic/Touch, iPhone, iPad and more device for offline enjoying. What a reliable and helpful tool TunesBank program is!

Sync Apple Music to iPod

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Christina has always had great enthusiasm for writing, programming and web development. He likes writing about software and technology, his works are featured on some tech blogs or forums like Tom's Hardware, CNET, etc.