Apple Music Songs and Your iPod

Why songs from an Apple Music subscription can't go on a classic iPod, how to tell them apart, and the ways to get music you can sync.

If some of your songs never reach your iPod, they're probably from Apple Music. Here's why, and what you can do.

#Why they can't sync

Songs you download from an Apple Music subscription are copy-protected: they only play on devices signed in to that subscription, and only while it's active. Classic iPods can't check a subscription, so no iPod (and no app that syncs one) can play them. Finder skips them, and so does ClassicTunes.

#How to tell which songs are which

In the Music app, select a song and choose Song › Get Info (or press ⌘I), then click File. The Kind says:

• Apple Music AAC audio file: from the subscription. It can't go on an iPod.
• Purchased AAC audio file: bought from the iTunes Store. It syncs fine.
• AAC audio file, MPEG audio file, Apple Lossless audio file and the like: your own files. They sync fine.

#Music you can sync

• iTunes Store purchases. Music bought from the iTunes Store has been free of copy protection since 2009, so it syncs to any iPod.
• CDs. ClassicTunes imports CDs and checks each track against AccurateRip.
• Downloads from stores that sell plain files, such as Bandcamp, in MP3, AAC, FLAC or Apple Lossless. ClassicTunes converts formats the iPod can't play as it syncs.
• Your own recordings and files.

#Keep your playlists

When you import from the Music app, ClassicTunes brings your playlists, play counts and ratings with it. Songs you own sync as usual; Apple Music songs in a playlist are skipped, and the rest of the playlist still goes on the iPod.

See also: Syncing an iPod on a Mac in 2026.