I Just Got an iPod. What Should I Do Next?

You're the proud owner of a shiny new iPod. Congratulations! Whether it was a birthday present, a holiday gift, or was something you treated yourself to, when you opened the box, you probably felt a charge of excitement. You're going to have a lot of fun with your new toy.

You may be asking yourself, though — especially if this is your first iPod — how do I get started? You've come to the right place. This article gives you quick access to all of the articles on this site that you need to get started setting up, using, and even troubleshooting your iPod.

This article is for owners of the iPod Classic, iPod nano, and iPod Shuffle. If you have an iPod touch, this article is better for you. Technically it's about the iPhone, but, because those devices run the same operating system, almost everything in it applies to the iPod touch, too.

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How to Set Up Your New iPod

iPod nano video camera — image credit: Apple Inc.

In order to get your iPod set up for the first time, you need to make sure you have the basic required software and accounts. After that, follow the instructions about how to use them to set up your iPod and get started.

Required Items

You need iTunes to set up the iPod and to sync music, podcasts, and other content to it. Learn how to install iTunes on Mac or on Windows
You'll need an Apple ID to activate the iPod and to download content from iTunes to fill up your iPod. Learn How to Create an Apple ID.

Set Up Instructions

One you've got iTunes and Apple ID, follow the step-by-step set-up instructions for the model you have:

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How to Use Your New iPod

Adding Downloaded MP3s to iTunes — Drag and drop an MP3 to add it to iTunes.

Getting your iPod set up is, in some ways, really just the first step. Now, it's time to learn how to do all the things that make the iPod such an awesome device. There's an almost endless number of things to learn, but these articles will help you master some of the most common things to do with your iPod:

Basic iPod Features and Tips

Advanced iPod Features

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Go Even Deeper With Your New iPod

The Third Generation iPod Shuffle. image credit: Apple Inc.

Want to really learn all the ins and outs of your model? We've got pages dedicated to some iPod models that collect how-tos, reviews, tricks, and troubleshooting articles just dedicated to your particular model.

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How to Solve iPod Problems

Just like any technology gadget, sometimes things go wrong with the iPod. When they go wrong, it's good to know how to fix them. Here are some useful articles that can solve common problems:

Manuals

Want to get all the details directly from Apple? Check out these downloadable manuals:

Want to get a little deeper into the world of the iPod? Check out Who Really Invented the iPod? The answer is much more complicated and interesting than you might think.

I Just Got an iPod. What Should I Do Next?