How to Play Apple Music on iPod Nano/Shuffle/Classic/Touch

Part 1. Can You Use Apple Music on an iPod?

Apple Music is a top choice for Apple fans, offering an easy way to stream and download music. While it's designed for iOS devices like iPhones, not all iPod models support Apple Music, so it's essential to know which iPod you're using.

In general, Apple Music works best with newer iPod Touch models - specifically the 5th to 7th generations. Models like the iPod Touch 6th generation and newer, which run iOS 10 or later, fully support Apple Music. These devices allow you to stream and download songs, sync music with iTunes, and even use features like Family Sharing. For the Apple Music Voice Plan, you'll need iOS 15.2 or later, but this is also available on updated iPod Touch models.

Older iPod Touch models, such as the 4th generation (limited to iOS 6.1.6), can still play purchased songs from iTunes but can't directly access Apple Music. Even more limited are classic iPods like the iPod Classic, Nano, and Shuffle, which lack internet connectivity and don't support the DRM used by Apple Music. Because of this, Apple Music downloads can't be transferred directly to these models through iTunes.

If you want to use Apple Music on these older models, there is a workaround: you can convert Apple Music tracks to unprotected formats like MP3 using a tool such as ViWizard Apple Music Converter. This lets you manually add songs to older iPods. Just note that converting Apple Music is unofficial and meant only for personal use.

Apple Music Converter

A full-featured audio converting tool that allows you to convert some special audio files, including Apple Music, iTunes songs and audiobooks, Audible audiobooks, as well as, more than 100 kinds of common audio files to MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, WAV, and M4B to listen anywhere.

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In short, to enjoy Apple Music directly on an iPod, make sure you have a compatible iPod Touch running iOS 8.4 or higher. For other iPods, you'll need to sync music from iTunes or use a converter for Apple Music files if you're using a legacy device.

Part 2. How to Play Apple Music on iPod Touch

The iPod Touch supports a range of Apple Music features, from streaming songs online to downloading them for offline listening. You can also share music with family members using Family Sharing. If you're setting up your iPod Touch to enjoy Apple Music, there are a few things you need to ensure first.

Option 1: Streaming Music from Apple Music (Online)

Apple Music gives you access to millions of songs that you can stream directly from your iPod Touch. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Apple Music app.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID linked to your Apple Music subscription.
3. Browse or search for the music you want to play.
4. Tap on a song or playlist to begin streaming. A stable internet connection is required for uninterrupted playback.

Option 2: Downloading Music for Offline Listening

To listen to your favorite tunes without using your data or needing an internet connection, Apple Music allows you to download songs to your iPod Touch. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Apple Music app and sign in.
2. Browse or search for songs, albums, or playlists to add to your library.
3. Tap the + Add button to save them to your library.
4. To download the song for offline listening, tap the cloud icon with an arrow, and it will be saved to your iPod for offline access.

Option 3: Sharing Music with Family Sharing

If you're subscribed to the Family plan, you can share your Apple Music with up to five family members. To share your Apple Music account:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing on your iPod Touch.
2. Send an invitation to family members to join your Family Sharing group.
3. Once they accept, each member can access Apple Music and enjoy streaming music in their own library.

Bonus: Re-Downloading iTunes Purchases

If you've bought music previously from the iTunes Store, you can re-download those songs directly to your iPod Touch without having to purchase them again. To restore your iTunes purchases:

1. Open the iTunes Store app.
2. Tap More at the bottom, then select Purchased.
3. Browse your Music section, or use the search bar to find the albums or songs you've bought.
4. Tap the cloud icon with the downward arrow to start downloading.
5. Once downloaded, your music will appear in the Music app, ready to play offline.

Part 3. How to Download Apple Music to Other iPod Models

For those with older iPods, getting Apple Music on your device isn't as simple as it is with the latest models, since older iPods don't support the Apple Music app. But don't worry, you still have options for enjoying your favorite tunes. While older iPods can't stream or download music directly from Apple Music, you can purchase songs or albums from iTunes and sync them to your device. However, this method may come with extra costs, as you'll need to buy tracks individually.

The Easy Way: Using ViWizard Apple Music Converter

For a more user-friendly solution, you can use ViWizard Apple Music Converter. This software is a game-changer for those who own older iPods but want access to Apple Music's vast library. The ViWizard converter removes the compatibility limitations and makes it possible to enjoy Apple Music tracks on iPods, regardless of the model.

ViWizard Apple Music Converter works by converting Apple Music songs into formats like MP3, AAC, WAV, and FLAC, all of which are compatible with older iPod models. You don't have to worry about losing audio quality because ViWizard ensures that the original sound is preserved during the conversion. The software also removes any DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection, allowing you to own and enjoy the tracks freely.

Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter

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• Convert songs, albums, and playlists from Apple Music to MP3
• Remove DRM protection from Apple Music, iTunes, and Audible
• Save the converted audios with the original quality and ID3 tags
• Support the conversion of up to 100 audio formats to others

Here's a simple guide to get you started:

1. First, install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your computer. Once the installation is complete, open the program by double-clicking the ViWizard icon on your desktop.
2. To load your Apple Music tracks, click on the "Load iTunes Library" button to automatically import tracks from your iTunes or Finder library. Alternatively, you can drag and drop Apple Music songs directly into ViWizard.
3. To select the right output format, click on MP3 in the Format panel. This format is highly compatible with iPods. You can also adjust additional settings like audio codec, sample rate, and bitrate if desired, though the default settings will work for most users.
4. After selecting your format, click the "Convert" button. ViWizard will quickly convert your Apple Music tracks into MP3 files at speeds of up to 30X faster.
5. Once the conversion is complete, transfer the MP3 files to your iPod using iTunes or Finder. Simply sync the converted files the same way you would with any other audio files.

While it's true that older iPod models can't fully integrate with Apple Music the way newer ones can, tools like ViWizard Apple Music Converter provide an excellent workaround. Whether you're syncing a couple of songs or building a full library, this method ensures you can enjoy your music on almost any iPod, without the frustration of extra costs or complicated setup.

Part 4. How to Sync Apple Music onto All iPod Models

If you're looking to transfer your Apple Music to an iPod, whether it supports the Apple Music app or not, you can still enjoy your favorite tunes with a few straightforward steps. The key is to convert your Apple Music songs into compatible formats and sync them to your iPod, even if it's an older model that doesn't have direct support for Apple Music. Below is a consolidated guide to sync your converted Apple Music tracks onto your iPod.

Method 1: Sync Using iTunes (for iPod Nano, Shuffle, or Classic)

1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPod to your computer. If iTunes doesn't launch automatically, open it manually.
2. In iTunes, click on File in the menu bar and select Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library. Choose the folder containing your converted Apple Music files to upload them into iTunes.
3. In the left sidebar of iTunes, click Music. Then, check the box labeled Sync Music, and select Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres.
4. Scroll down to the Playlist section, select Recently Added, which contains your unprotected Apple Music songs.
5. Finally, click the Apply button in the lower-right corner of the iTunes window. iTunes will automatically sync your selected music to your iPod.

Method 2: Manual Transfer (For iPod Models without iTunes Support)

1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPod to your computer.
2. On your computer, go to the Start menu, select Settings, and then open Control Panel. In the Folder Options window, choose Show hidden files and folders, then click Apply.
3. Open My Computer or This PC and find the iPod icon. Double-click on it to access the iPod's internal storage.
4. Select the converted Apple Music files on your computer and copy them. Paste the copied files into the iPod's folder.
5. Wait for the transfer to complete, then safely eject your iPod by clicking the eject icon in your system tray.

Conclusion

Although those old models of iPod are not compatible with Apple Music, you can use ViWizard Audio Converter to convert Apple Music to iPod for playing anytime. If you have an iPod touch, you can directly log into Apple Music on your iPod and listen to your favorite songs. Just follow the above instructions and start to transfer Apple Music to iPod for listening.