Updating Your iPod Software

Make it a point to check for and install the latest iPod software update, which may include new features and enhancements.

Now that you've got iPod software and iTunes installed on your computer, you should make it a point to periodically check for the latest software updates from Apple. Oftentimes, these updates bring new features to iPod and iTunes that you certainly won't want to miss out on now, would you? Here's how to update the software on your iPod and install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.

Mac users

1. Quit iTunes if it's currently open.
2. To download and install the latest iPod and iTunes updates, make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet, then choose Software Update from the Apple menu.
3. If Software Update finds newer software than what's installed on your computer, click the Install button to have Software Update download and install the selected software.
4. When it's finished, iTunes will already be updated, but you'll need to use the iPod Updater to update your iPod, so connect your iPod to your computer.
5. If iTunes opens and displays a dialog offering to update your iPod, you can do so by simply clicking Update in the dialog. To update your iPod using the iPod Software Updater, continue reading...
6. Open the iPod Software Updater folder (find it in /Applications/Utilities), then double-click the latest iPod Updater file.
7. Click the Update button to update the software on your iPod (if the Update button appears dimmed, your iPod is already up to date).

Windows users

1. Quit iTunes if it's currently open.
2. Visit  to see if there are newer versions of iPod Updater (this contains software for all models of iPod) and iTunes than what's installed on your computer.
3. If there are newer updates available, download the Windows versions of the updates, then run the installers on your computer to install the updates.
4. When it's finished, iTunes will already be updated, but you'll need to run the iPod Updater to update your iPod, so connect your iPod to your computer.
5. On the Start menu, point to All Programs, point to iPod, point to iPod Updater, then click the latest iPod Updater.
6. Click the Update button to update the software on your iPod (if the Update button appears unavailable, your iPod is already up to date).