Syncing iPod touch

Question

I would like to sync my iPod Touch 4G (64GB) in Ubuntu. As far as I know, it is impossible to sync it (ie: I can simply copy music on it).

If I Jailbreak the iPod, will I be able to sync all my music library with it? If yes, how? Is anyone aware of how to sync it without jailbreaking it?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 14 '17 at 11:28

I have done this, using 16.04. You are correct. Though it is possible to connect to your iPod Touch in Ubuntu, you will be unable to sync music via any of the normal libgpod based strategies, listed in other answers.

It is possible to use VBox as detailed above, and you can even get Wifi sync to work between itunes and the ipod. I never found this reliable.

I jailbroke my iPod touch (ios 6.1.6) and then installed (and paid for) PwnTunes on the iPod. This sets up a new 'My Music' folder on the ipod. When you add music to this folder, PwnTunes will sync it to the ipod Music library, including metadata and cover art (which can be embedded or in the form of a cover.jpg file in each folder). It's a good solution, and works even better across ssh!

RiddleMeThis · Answer 2 · 2015-06-16T09:50:23.760

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For syncing iPod you can use various software, including the following:

Banshee
Rhythmbox, installed by default in Ubuntu
Amarok, installed by default in Kubuntu
GtkPod, a program only for this purpose (you can get newer version on official site)

More here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PortableDevices/iPod

Or you can run iTunes via Wine, but it is known to only work bad, if at all:

https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=1347

Also you should install the libgpod library, but it is mostly installed as dependency of the programs above.

EDIT:

Or try: http://www.libimobiledevice.org/, it uses libgpod for syncing, so I don't know if it will work, but you can give it a chance.

edited Jun 16 '15 at 09:50

answered Jun 16 '15 at 09:02

RiddleMeThis

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Banshee and Amarok do not allow me to sync my music library with the iPod. They just let me copy song by song on the iPod. Rhythmbox doesn't recognize my iPod. iTunes via wine is reported not to support any device (from wine website reports). – user3161330 Jun 16 '15 at 09:15
@user3161330 use gtkpod instead, the program I added to the answer. – s3lph Jun 16 '15 at 09:20
@the_Seppi seriously? Proper formatting is one thing, but this makes me little angry :) I was going to add this information, but I couldn't because you already made the changes :D, and it won't let me ...it is no big deal, I'm not that narrow-minded... – RiddleMeThis Jun 16 '15 at 09:22
@the_Seppi GtkPod doesn't allow syncronization. I can simply copy song by song. Am I wrong maybe? I did try it and that's what i found out. – user3161330 Jun 16 '15 at 09:32
I can undo it if you want to... – s3lph Jun 16 '15 at 09:34
No, of course not ;) – RiddleMeThis Jun 16 '15 at 09:35
What are the perks of jailbreaking the ipod in terms of syncing? – user3161330 Jun 16 '15 at 09:38
@user3161330 you can move whole playlists using gtkpod. – s3lph Jun 16 '15 at 09:40

Organic Marble · Answer 3 · 2015-06-16T14:47:51.477

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The only 100% functional answer I have found to this problem is to install Windows 7 in a virtual machine. I dislike being chained to Win7 this way but I also want to keep my iPod Touch functional.

Edit: here is how I set it up using VirtualBox.

Install Win 7 in VirtualBox
In System Settings/Details/removable media, set Music Player and Photos to Do Nothing
In Ubuntu Tweak / Tweaks/File Manager set to not open window on USB insertion
Start Win 7, download and install iTunes
Start iTunes
Plug in iPod
Unlock iPod when it starts (if screen lock enabled).
Close Linux windows/error messages relating to iPod and any apps that start.
In Vbox Devices/USB Devices menu, click on Ipod,
Allow Windows to install iPod drivers.
wait till iPod appears in iTunes
Should be able to use iTunes as normal with iPod now.

edited Jun 16 '15 at 14:47

answered Jun 16 '15 at 11:58

Organic Marble

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Does it work with virtualbox or do you use kvm? – user3161330 Jun 16 '15 at 14:20
I use virtualbox. – Organic Marble Jun 16 '15 at 14:39
You can also set up wifi sync this way, but you have to set your Network Interface to 'bridge' mode in VBox. – Mark Williams Jan 14 '17 at 11:32

Syncing iPod touch

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