iLoungeiLounge
  • News
    • Apple
      • AirPods Pro
      • AirPlay
      • Apps
        • Apple Music
      • iCloud
      • iTunes
      • HealthKit
      • HomeKit
      • HomePod
      • iOS 13
      • Apple Pay
      • Apple TV
      • Siri
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
      • CES
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Font ResizerAa
iLoungeiLounge
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Apple
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Follow US

How-to › Ask iLounge

Ask iLoungeiTunes

Using an iPod without iTunes

Last updated: May 16, 2021 4:59 pm UTC
By Jesse Hollington

Q: Do I need to download iTunes if I purchase an iPod or may I use Limewire, etc?

Advertisements

– Anonymous

A: There actually may be two questions here: The iTunes Store where you can purchase content for your iPod, and the iTunes application for managing the content on your iPod, and

Firstly, the iPod and the iTunes application can import and play any content in the MP3, AAC, AIFF, WAV or Apple Lossless formats, with the only real exception being Windows Media Audio (WMA) files. Unprotected WMA files, however, can be easily converted into an iPod-ready format, and the iTunes software application can actually do this for you automatically during import. The bottom line is that there is absolutely no need to purchase any content from the iTunes Store, and many long-time iPod users have never downloaded even a single track from the iTunes Store.

Advertisements

In terms of the iTunes application, it is important to keep in mind that the iPod uses a database to index the content that is stored on the iPod. As a result, you cannot just drag-and-drop content onto the iPod like you can with many other digital audio players—you will need to use an iPod-compatible application to load and manage the content on your iPod.

The iTunes application is generally the best way to do this, as it’s developed by Apple themselves and therefore guaranteed to be compatible with your iPod.

Advertisements

However, there are a number of third-party iPod management applications available which you can also use with your iPod. None of these are endorsed or supported by Apple in any way, and it’s not uncommon for new models of iPod or even firmware updates for existing iPod models to break compatibility with these applications, as Apple is under no obligation to support them.

Note as well that many of these third-party applications do not support all of the features of the iPod.

Advertisements

Latest News
M5 Chip
Apple Glass will be powered by special chip: Design in progress
2 Min Read
M3 iPad Air
The 11-inch M3 iPad Air 256GB Wi-Fi is $70 Off
1 Min Read
iOS 19
iOS 19 to have AI-Powered battery management feature
1 Min Read
Apple TV+
‘Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars’ to arrive on Apple TV+
1 Min Read
Mac to School
New ‘Mac to School’ Video ads surface online
1 Min Read
M4 MacBook Air
The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 256GB is $150 Off
1 Min Read
Folding iPad and Touchscreen Mac
Folding iPad and Touchscreen Mac might debut before 2030
1 Min Read
Fortnite
‘Fortnite’ App submitted again for review to the App Store
1 Min Read
Apple
Apple reportedly skirting around tariff with Brazil facility
1 Min Read
AirPods 4
The AirPods 4 is $30 Off
1 Min Read
Apple Smart Glasses
Apple smart glasses might debut late 2026
1 Min Read
Total War: Rome II
New ‘Total War: Rome II’ arrives on macOS
1 Min Read

iLounge logo

iLounge is an independent resource for all things iPod, iPhone, iPad, and beyond. iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Apple TV, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.

This website is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
iLounge © 2001 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Submit News
  • About Us
  • Forums
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?