Can't Sync iPod Shuffle to Mac

Wade Garrett

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May 25, 2023, 9:28:12 AM5/25/23

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Got an iPod Shuffle 2nd generation that used to sync with ny Mac via
Finder just fine. I did a restore on it to change ownership from my wife
to me after which it would no longer sync with the Mac. It only shows as
an external drive.

I connected it to a Windows computer running iTunes and was able to set
it up and it syncs fine there. But on the Mac-- which of course no
longer can run iTunes-- it still only shows as an external drive using
Finder or Disk Utility. Mac Music doesn't see the iPod.

Ideas to fix?

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I know things and I fix stuff

Jolly Roger

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May 25, 2023, 11:03:28 AM5/25/23

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I would try resetting it to factory defaults.

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Joerg Lorenz

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May 25, 2023, 1:39:28 PM5/25/23

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Am 25.05.23 um 15:27 schrieb Wade Garrett:

It is a long long time since I used this neat devices. Are they also
included in the registered devices in iCloud? If yes then delete it in
your wife's iCloud-account. Then do a factory reset and register it in
your account. Then it should sync with your Mac.

Everything with a full disclaimer!

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Gutta cavat lapidem (Ovid)

Wade Garrett

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May 26, 2023, 7:26:56 AM5/26/23

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On 5/25/23 11:03 AM, Jolly Roger wrote:
> On 2023-05-25, Wade Garrett <wa...@cooler.net> wrote:
>> Got an iPod Shuffle 2nd generation that used to sync with ny Mac via
>> Finder just fine. I did a restore on it to change ownership from my wife
>> to me after which it would no longer sync with the Mac. It only shows as
>> an external drive.
>>
>> I connected it to a Windows computer running iTunes and was able to set
>> it up and it syncs fine there. But on the Mac-- which of course no
>> longer can run iTunes-- it still only shows as an external drive using
>> Finder or Disk Utility. Mac Music doesn't see the iPod.
>>
>> Ideas to fix?
>
> I would try resetting it to factory defaults.
>

Yup, that was what I initially tried to do and what led to the problem.
Tried again, still no joy...

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The more you know, the more you suffer.

Wade Garrett

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May 26, 2023, 7:53:14 AM5/26/23

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Good suggestion...but unfortunately, not registered :-(

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- Sam'l Colt

Jolly Roger

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May 26, 2023, 10:49:17 AM5/26/23

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I assume you have also tried rebooting the affected Mac, starting the
Music app fresh each time?

I've had similar issues with an old iPod Classic, and restarting
magically fixed the issue. After that it's been smooth sailing.

Wade Garrett

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May 27, 2023, 10:33:14 AM5/27/23

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On 5/26/23 10:46 AM, Jolly Roger wrote:
> On 2023-05-26, Wade Garrett <wa...@cooler.net> wrote:
>> On 5/25/23 11:03 AM, Jolly Roger wrote:
>>> On 2023-05-25, Wade Garrett <wa...@cooler.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Got an iPod Shuffle 2nd generation that used to sync with ny Mac via
>>>> Finder just fine. I did a restore on it to change ownership from my
>>>> wife to me after which it would no longer sync with the Mac. It only
>>>> shows as an external drive.
>>>>
>>>> I connected it to a Windows computer running iTunes and was able to
>>>> set it up and it syncs fine there. But on the Mac-- which of course
>>>> no longer can run iTunes-- it still only shows as an external drive
>>>> using Finder or Disk Utility. Mac Music doesn't see the iPod.
>>>>
>>>> Ideas to fix?
>>>
>>> I would try resetting it to factory defaults.
>>>
>> Yup, that was what I initially tried to do and what led to the
>> problem. Tried again, still no joy...
>
> I assume you have also tried rebooting the affected Mac, starting the
> Music app fresh each time?
>
> I've had similar issues with an old iPod Classic, and restarting
> magically fixed the issue. After that it's been smooth sailing.
>

Restarts didn't solve it-- but I extended your suggestion and connected
it to a different Mac which got me to the sync page in Finder.

Thanks!

Jolly Roger

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May 27, 2023, 12:05:50 PM5/27/23

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Oh, shit - you just reminded me: Another thing I did was plug it into a
different USB port on the same computer (and definitely not into my USB
hub). That has fixed many connection problems for me over the years, to
the extent that it's one of the first things I try any time I have a
problem getting a computer to see a device. I think I forgot to mention
it because it's become second nature to me at this point. Anyway, worth
a shot.