# 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](https://classictunes.app/docs/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](https://classictunes.app/docs/library), 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](https://classictunes.app/docs/ipod-on-a-mac).