How to avoid iTunes' automatic iPod synchronization

This document describes the manual way to suppress iTunes’ own iPod synchronization.

It is recommended to use iPod.iTunes’ “Suppress iTunes’ auto sync”-feature instead!

Instructions for iTunes version 7.x - 8.x (scroll down for older iTunes releases):

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

To not loose content on the iPod, follow these steps exactly:

1. •Quit iTunes in case it's running.
   

2. •If you see the iPod volume on the Finder's desktop eject it (select it and press command-e).
   

3. •Disconnect the iPod cable.
   

4. •Start iTunes.
   

5. •Connect the iPod cable and in iTunes, immediately hold down the command and option keys on the keyboard. On an Apple keyboard these keys are next to the space bar, labeled:

(on newer keyboards there is “cmd” instead of the Apple symbol)

1. •When the iPod appears in the iTunes source column, wait at least five seconds, then release the keys.
   This will skip the automatic synchronization for one time, avoiding the deletion of the iPod content which is currently not in the iTunes library.
   

2. •Open the iPod preferences, select the iPod within iTunes source column, then select the "Summary" tab.
   

3. •Enable the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox.
   

4. •Select the "Podcasts" tab and disable the "Sync ... episodes of:" checkbox.
   

5. •At the bottom right click the "Apply" button, read the upcoming message and click "OK".
   

6. •Now it's save to use all of iPod.iTunes' functions.
   

Important hint #1: When "Enable disk use" is on you must eject the iPod in iTunes before you unplug the cable, otherwise the iPod's file system becomes quickly damaged. To eject the iPod just click in iTunes the Eject-Icon on the right of the iPod-Icon. When the iPod screen no longer shows "Do not disconnect" you can safely unplug the cable.

Important hint #2: 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.

Important hint #3: If iTunes displays a message like "Updating iPod library", although you're holding the command-option keys, this is normal, do not unplug the iPod cable!

Not that important hint #1: When you set the iPod preferences to "Manually manage music and videos" the "Enable disk use" checkbox appears dimmed and inaccessible, though it is automatically turned ON (which is what we want).

Instructions for iTunes version 4.x - 6.x:

If the iPod preferences are set to "Automatically update all songs and playlists" (which is default) and you delete some or all of your songs/playlists in your iTunes library by accident, iTunes will delete those songs/playlists on the iPod:
- the next time you connect the iPod
- the next time you start iTunes while the iPod is connected

The auto update mode in iTunes creates always an exact mirror of the iTunes library on the iPod. If the songs in the iTunes library are gone, they will also be deleted on the iPod.

To not loose songs on the iPod, follow these steps exactly:

1. •Quit iTunes in case it's running.
   

2. •If you see the iPod volume on the Finder's desktop eject it (select it and press command-e).
   

3. •Disconnect the iPod cable.
   

4. •Start iTunes.
   

5. •Connect the iPod cable and in iTunes, immediately hold down the command and option keys on the keyboard. On an Apple keyboard these keys are next to the space bar, labeled with "⌘" and "⌥ alt").
   When the iPod appears in the iTunes source column, wait five seconds, then release the keys.
   This will skip the automatic iPod update, avoiding the deletion of the iPod songs which are currently not in the iTunes library.
   

6. •Set the preferences for the iPod to "Manually manage songs and playlists".
   To open the iPod preferences, select the iPod within iTunes source column, then click onto the upcoming iPod icon at the right bottom of the iTunes window (the left icon).

1. •Now it's save to use all of iPod.iTunes' functions.
   

Important hint #1: When "Enable disk use" is on you must eject the iPod in iTunes before you unplug the cable, otherwise the iPod's file system becomes quickly damaged. To eject the iPod just click in iTunes the Eject-Icon on the right of the iPod-Icon. When the iPod screen no longer shows "Do not disconnect" you can safely unplug the cable.

Important hint #2: 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.

Important hint #3: If iTunes displays a message like "Updating iPod library", although you're holding the command-option keys, this is normal, do not unplug the iPod cable!

Not that important hint #1: When you set the iPod preferences to "Manually manage music and videos" the "Enable disk use" checkbox appears dimmed and inaccessible, though it is automatically turned ON (which is what we want).