About iTunes’ own automatic iPod synchronization

How iTunes behaves:

iTunes own iPod synchronization creates always an exact mirror of the iTunes library (or selected playlists) on the iPod. If content in the iTunes library is deleted, it will also be deleted on the iPod!

If the iPod preferences are set to "Sync music/movies/TV shows/podcasts" (which is default) and you delete songs/movies/TV shows/podcasts or playlists in your iTunes library by accident (or will), iTunes will delete them on the iPod, too:

- the next time you connect the iPod

- the next time you start iTunes while the iPod is connected

The iTunes auto sync setting is iPod-specific and is stored directly on the iPod.

So the problem is that you have to connect your iPod to disable iTunes auto sync, but if you do, iTunes will immediately sync & delete before you can disable the setting...

How it can be solved...

In all iTunes versions it is possible to suppress iTunes’ auto sync for one time manually, but this process is error-prone since several things have to be made 100% exactly right.

Since iTunes 7.5 there’s a preference setting to disable automatic syncing for all iPhones and iPods. But... a) you have to go into the iTunes Preferences to set it (and later back)... and b) do not forget to set it!... and c) what if you think it’s on when it’s not?... and d) if the iPod’s disk mode is not turned on you still have to go to the iPod settings to enable it... and e) what about older iTunes versions?

So iPod.iTunes can solve this...

...more elegantly and secure

Since version 4.0 iPod.iTunes has the ability to suppress iTunes’ auto sync for the iPod you want to connect and work with. iPod.iTunes recognizes all possible connection scenarios and gives for each a proper “iPod Connection State” message from where you can directly suppress iTunes’ auto sync with a single click.

If you are unsure: just let iPod.iTunes disable iTunes’ auto sync - it cannot hurt.

When you are done with iPod.iTunes synchronization(s) you may set the iPod back to iTunes’ auto sync if you like - again with a single click.

If you then launch iTunes, it will act with the iPod according to the iPod’s sync settings.

Good to know:

1. •When "Enable disk use" is on (that is when you see the iPod disk icon on the Finder’s desktop) you must eject the iPod in iTunes before you unplug the cable, otherwise the iPod's file system becomes quickly damaged. You can eject the iPod in different ways:
   

2. •In iPod.iTunes, click the “Eject iPod” button at the bottom of the Synchronize tab.
   

3. •In iTunes, click the Eject-Icon on the right of the iPod-Icon.
   

4. •In iTunes, or the Finder: select the iPod and press command-e.
   When the iPod screen no longer shows "Do not disconnect" you can safely unplug the cable.
   Apple Support document...
   

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6. •The iPod preferences in iTunes are related to one iPod! This means what you set there is only valid for the current connected iPod. If you turn off auto sync for the current connected iPod, it doesn't mean it will be off for another iPod! Every iPod has independent preferences.
   

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8. •If iTunes displays a message like "Syncing iPod", although auto sync has been turned off: this is normal - do not unplug the iPod cable!