The New User's Guide for iTunes
Summary
New to iTunes? This handy user's guide will help you do the following things:
Products Affected
iTunes
1. Install iTunes
If you're setting up a new iPod with iTunes for the first time, please see the appropriate New User's Guide for iPod, iPod nano, or iPod shuffle to install iTunes. If you're starting out with just iTunes, click the link below to download the latest version and then double-click the resulting file to install the software as you normally would.
2. Fill Your iTunes with Music
You can add music, audiobooks, podcasts, games, and videos to iTunes in a few different ways.
- To add audio and video files already existing on your computer, simply drag the files onto the Library icon on the left side of the iTunes window under Devices.
- To add music from your own CDs, insert an audio CD into your computer and then drag the CD icon that appears under Devices onto the Library icon to add the entire album, or select the CD icon under Devices and then drag whatever songs you want from the right-side pane to the library.
- To subscribe to podcasts (radio-style shows available on the Internet—most are free), click iTunes Store on the left side of the iTunes window to go to the iTunes Store and then click Podcasts to browse everything that's available (click any Subscribe button to subscribe to and download a podcast).
3. Playing your Collection
- To play an audio or video file, select Library to view your entire collection, select an item, and then either double-click it, click the play button, or press the space bar; click the pause button or press the space bar to pause play.
- If you're playing a movie file, the video plays, by default, in the video viewer in the lower-left corner; click on the image in the viewer to play the video in its own window or click the full screen button (the right-most button directly below the viewer) to have the video fill your screen. If you want to play certain songs in a particular order, create a playlist: Click the plus sign (+) button in the bottom left corner of the iTunes window to create a new playlist and then drag and drop whatever songs you want to add.
4. Shop the Store
The iTunes Store features tons of music, audiobooks, TV shows, music videos, and more if you're looking to expand your media collection. To learn how to set up an account and purchase items from the iTunes store:
- Connect to the iTunes Store FAQ
- Buy stuff from the iTunes Store without a credit card
- Help with the iTunes Store
- Check your orders placed with iTunes Store.
5. Learn More
Whether you're a Mac or Windows user, the information below will help you enjoy your iPod to its fullest.
- Get the latest iPod Manual
- iPod step-by-step video tutorials
- iPod Higher Learning: Advanced iPod and iTunes uses
6. Troubleshooting
The following are typical issues you may encounter.
General
- Trouble adding music to iTunes
- Trouble syncing music to my iPod
- iPod not responding—it appears to be frozen
- Exclamation point folder or sad iPod icon on the screen
Mac
Windows
Additional Information
- Manual for your specific iPod
- iPod Service FAQ
- Contact Us: Contacting Apple Service and Support
- iTunes Discussions: Consult hundreds of iTunes users and experts in our iTunes Discussions forums. You can ask a question, answer a question, or simply read what others have to say.