"Is there any way to play Apple Music on my iPod Classic?" This is a question frequently asked across the Apple Community and Reddit. With Apple Music's vast library, exclusive content, and high-quality streaming options, it's one of the most popular services in the world. At the same time, Many users still love their iPods for their simplicity, portability, and design.
If you're an iPod user and wondering how to enjoy Apple Music on your older iPod devices like the iPod Touch, Nano, Shuffle, or Classic, you're not alone. Unfortunately, Apple Music does not offer native support for some iPod models. However, there are still ways to play your Apple Music tracks on your iPod devices, both online and offline.
In this guide, we'll show you the official methods and some workarounds that allow you to play Apple Music on different iPod models. Whether you have the latest iPod Touch or an older iPod Nano, Shuffle, or Classic, we've got you covered.
Part 1. How to Play Apple Music on iPod Touch 5th/6th/7th (Official Way)
If your iPod supports Wi-Fi, it likely supports the Apple Music app. Currently, the iPod Touch (5th, 6th, and 7th generations) are the only models compatible with the service. These devices allow you to stream your entire library and download tracks for offline listening directly through the app.
Prerequisites:
- An active Apple Music subscription
- An iPod Touch (5th, 6th, or 7th generation) with iOS 8.4 or later
- A stable internet connection
To see your saved tracks, ensure you have enabled 'Sync Library' under 'Settings > Music' on your primary device.
Steps to Stream Apple Music on iPod Officially
Step 1. Launch your iPod Touch, go to the Settings > 'General' > 'Software Update' to ensure your iPod Touch is running the latest version of iOS.
Step 2. Install Apple Music app from the App Store on the iPod if it's not already installed. It comes pre-installed on newer iPod Touch models (7th), but you may need to download it on older devices (5th).
Step 3. Once installed, open the Apple Music app, and sign in using your Apple ID credentials associated with your Apple Music subscription. This will grant you full access to Apple Music's library, playlists, and curated content.
Step 4. You can now stream Apple Music content directly from your iPod Touch. For offline listening, you can download your favorite songs, albums, or playlists within the Apple Music app by tapping the download icon. And then you enjoy Apple Music offline on iPod Touch with ease.
Most reliable and officially supported method;
Supports both real-time streaming and offline downloads;
Simple setup via the native Music app
Only compatible with iPod Touch 5th Gen and later;
Requires an ongoing monthly payment to maintain access;
Files are DRM-protected and restricted to the Apple ecosystem
Alternative: Purchasing Apple Music via iTunes
Beyond the subscription model, you can also sync songs purchased through the iTunes Store. Unlike the subscription service, these are unprotected AAC files rather than DRM-restricted M4P files. Once purchased, you can sync these local Apple files to any iPod for true offline listening.
However, individual tracks typically cost $0.69-$1.29, while full albums average $9.99. If you have a large library, purchasing every song can become quite expensive.
So, is there a more cost-effective way to get unprotected Apple Music files for your iPod? Read on to discover a powerful alternative.
Part 2. How to Put Apple Music on ALL iPod Models (Nano / Shuffle / Classic / Touch)
You may tend to put on and play Apple Music tracks on those old iPod models still. For a more universal and cost-effective method, you need to remove the DRM from your Apple Music streams first.
A reliable tool, AudFree Apple Music Converter, is one of the best choices here for you. This sought-after music downloader serves to get completely unprotected Apple Music songs to DRM-free files in batches. Afterward, you have the freedom to sync Apple Music to iPod Nano, Shuffle, Classic, and more music players or devices.
Also, this Apple Music to iPod Converter converts encrypted Apple Music to MP3, AIFF, WAV, FLAC, etc., with original audio quality and ID3 tags kept. With the help of this excellent tool, you can freely play any Apple Music song on all iPod models. Beyond that, you are allowed to back up the songs on any other device forever, even after canceling your Apple Music subscription.
AudFree Apple Music Converter
- Remove DRM from Apple Music for iPod without quality loss
- Convert Apple Music from protected M4P to MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, Lossless, etc. in batches
- Support keeping ID3 tags and customizing output music quality
- Work at a 17x faster conversion speed
How to Download Apple Music for iPod Touch/Classic/Nano/Shuffle
Click the green button above to install AudFree Apple Music Converter on your Mac or PC for free. Also, please make sure that you have a valid Apple Music account in advance. Then have a look at the detailed user guide to convert Apple Music playlists to MP3 or other files for iPods.
| Format | |
|---|---|
| iPod Classic / Nano / Shuffle / iPod Touch (1st-4th Gen) |
MP3, AAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC |
| iPod Touch (5th-7th Gen) | MP3, AAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, M4P |
| AudFree Output Format | MP3, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, M4A, M4B, LOSSLESS |
- Step 1. Add Apple Music Playlists to AudFree Apple Music Downloader
- After installation, launch the AudFree Apple Music Converter program and log in. Then click the target songs you want to add to the iPod, and click the 'Add' icon to load Apple Music into the program.
- Step 2. Define Apple Music Output Settings for iPod
- When the tracks are imported into the converter, simply click the 'AudFree Apple Music Converter' icon on the top bar, choose 'Preferences', and you'll be directed to the Preferences window. There, click the 'Conversion' tab, and you can choose the output parameters, including audio format, channel, sample rate, bit rate, etc., to get the suitable audio quality as needed. For the best balance of compatibility and storage efficiency across all iPod models, we recommend converting Apple Music to 320kbps MP3.
- Step 3. Get Apple Music Downloads for All iPod Models
- Now, you should click the 'Convert' button under the Converting window. Then the Apple Music downloader will start converting Apple Music songs to MP3. Once converted, simply select the Converted button symbolized with a red spot to view the unprotected Apple Music. Next, you can always listen to Apple Music offline and sync it to the desired iPod model.
How to Sync Apple Music to iPod Classic/Nano/Shuffle/Touch
NOnce you have converted your Apple Music tracks to a compatible format like MP3, you can easily transfer them to your iPod using Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows). The basic workflow is similar, so here we show you the iTunes version as an example.
Ensure you have the latest version of iTunes installed (or are using an up-to-date version of macOS).
Step 1. Pair your iPod Classic, Nano, or Shuffle to your computer with the cable first. Please tap on 'Trust' from the prompts to unlock the iPod.
Step 2. Click on the upper-left device button under the currently playing bar on the iTunes app.
Step 3. Under the 'Settings' section on the left panel, click on Music > Sync Music > Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres.
Step 4. Proceed to click 'Files' from the top-right navigation bar of iTunes. Choose 'Add File to Library' or 'Add Folder to Library' to add DRM-free Apple Music files into the iTunes library.
Step 5. Click 'Apply' from the bottom-right corner. iTunes will automatically sync these Apple Music songs to your iPod within seconds. Then tap on 'Done'.
While iCloud sync is an option for newer devices, it requires an active Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription. For older iPods (Classic/Nano/Shuffle), the USB method above is the only way to transfer your library.
Offers offline freedom and universal compatibility;
With seamless and smooth streaming at a competitive price;
Removing the playback restrictions, the Apple Music files remain yours even if you cancel your Apple Music subscription;
Preserves the high-fidelity audio and ID3 tags;
Use the familiar iTunes or Finder interface to organize your library exactly how you like
Takes longer than simply streaming on the Apple Music iPod app;
Requires a physical USB cable for every transfer;
Need a manual update for your library
Looking to expand your library beyond Apple Music? AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder provides a seamless way to download content from Spotify, SoundCloud, Tidal, and more. With support for 10+ platforms, it delivers lossless quality and incredible conversion speeds, making it the ultimate tool for audiophiles who want their music available on any device, anytime.
Part 3. FAQs About Apple Music and iPod Compatibility
Where are Apple Music downloads stored on iPod?
When you download Apple Music songs on an iPod Touch, they are stored within the Apple Music app itself. These songs are cached on your device, allowing you to access them offline. However, they are not stored as separate files on the iPod that you can transfer to other devices. But if you download them via AudFree Apple Music Converter, you can define the store route as you like.
What storage size iPod do I need for Apple Music?
For iPod Touch, the amount of storage you need depends on how much Apple Music content you want to store offline. The iPod Touch is available in several storage capacities ranging from 32GB to 256GB. If you plan on downloading a lot of content, a larger storage capacity (128GB or higher) is recommended. iPod Nano, Shuffle, and Classic models have limited storage and may only hold a small number of Apple Music tracks after conversion.
| Features | iPod Touch | iPod Nano | iPod Shuffle | iPod Classic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | 32GB to 256GB | 1GB to 16 GB | 512MB to 4GB | 5GB to 160GB |
| WiFi/Apps | ✅ / ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Do I need a computer to sync Apple Music to iPod?
Not exactly. For older models iPod Nano, Shuffle, Classic, or Touch (1st-4th Gen), yes. You will need a computer (Windows or Mac) to sync Apple Music to older iPod models. But for the iPod touch (5th Gen or later), you can download Apple Music tracks directly onto the device via Wi-Fi using the built-in Music app. While you can still sync it with a computer using Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows), it is not required.
Can I use Apple Music Lossless quality on an iPod Touch?
Unfortunately, iPod Touch models support Apple Music Lossless audio, but only on the latest generation (iPod Touch 7th Gen). If you want to enjoy Apple Music Lossless on your iPod, you'll need to use wired headphones or compatible Bluetooth devices. Be aware that the iPod Touch 7th Gen does not support Dolby Atmos for immersive sound, although it does support Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless.
Why can't I sync Apple Music tracks to an iPod Classic or Nano?
The iPod Classic and iPod Nano don't support the Apple Music app, and they also don't have the capability to play DRM-protected content directly. Therefore, you must remove the DRM protection from Apple Music and convert it to a supported format like MP3 or WAV before syncing it to these devices.
iPod not showing up in Apple Music? How to fix it?
If your iPod isn't showing up under the device tab in Apple Music or iTunes, you're not alone. Many users face this issue, and there could be several reasons for it, including device incompatibility, outdated software, or connection issues. Below are some common troubleshooting steps that can help you resolve this problem:
1) Check the Model of the iPod: Old iPods like the iPod Nano, Classic, and Shuffle don't work with the Apple Music app, except for the iPod Touch 5/6/7 generation.
2) Update Apple Music/iTunes App: The iPod will upgrade its system to support the latest version of the two music apps. Thus please update the two apps to the latest version.
3) Trust This Computer: You will be asked whether you 'Trust this Computer?' when you connect the iPod to your computer. Please choose 'Trust'.
4) Try Another Cable/Port/Desktop: If there are glitches on your cable or port, the connection between the iPod and the device will be unstable. Also, sometimes, your iPod doesn't work with a Mac but with a Windows PC. Please try other cables, ports, or computers.
Conclusion
While Apple Music is designed to work seamlessly with newer Apple devices, including the iPhone and iPod Touch, there are still ways to enjoy your music on older iPod models like the Nano, Shuffle, and Classic. Whether you're streaming Apple Music directly to your iPod Touch or converting and syncing tracks to your older devices, there are options available.
By using AudFree DRM removal tools and iTunes/Finder syncing, you can bring Apple Music to almost any iPod model. Although the process may involve a few extra steps for older iPods, the experience of enjoying your favorite Apple Music tracks on an iPod remains as rewarding as ever.
James Blair
Staff Editor
