iTunes/iPod question

[yiskah]

Techie friends: is there any way to set things up so that your iPod doesn't automatically sync with iTunes when you plug it into your computer?

(Background: I have foolishly packed my iPod charger into storage, am travelling with my laptop so could conceivably charge iPod from laptop, but am travelling without my external harddrive on which all my music is stored, hence if I plug iPod into laptop while external drive is unconnected, I run the risk of wiping the iPod. I think.)

Comments

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

Under Prefs-Devices check the "Disable automatic syncing for iPods and iPhones" box.

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

In the Edit menu, choose Preferences, and then look on the Devices tab. You should see a checkbox labelled 'Disable automatic syncing for iPhones and iPods.'

ETA: Oops, sorry, I should have checked to see whether anyone else had answered, first... :-)

[mollydot.livejournal.com]

Don't know, but it's possible it would charge even when the laptop is turned off, so you could try that.

[wonderlanded.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have done this and I charge my iPod from the laptop all the time; I also charge it from the work laptop which doesn't have iTunes at all with no problems.

[yiskah.livejournal.com]

Huh, that was easy. Thanks!

[yiskah.livejournal.com]

Thanks P! Am still slightly paranoid that my music will be wiped, but I should just learn to trust technology... ;)

[yiskah.livejournal.com]

Aha, good to know it works!

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

I just tried it on my own one, and setting that option seemed to do the right thing for me. The iPod will still appear in iTunes, but it shouldn't try to sync automatically.

Once the iPod appears in iTunes, you can click on it in the 'devices' list on the left-hand side, and then unset the option on the Summary tab 'Open iTunes when this iPod is connected'. Not essential, but it avoids having iTunes start up, when you don't need it.