README.md

iPod Music Extraction Tools

CLI tools for extracting music from iPod nano (5th generation) on macOS.

Quick Start

1. Connect iPod via USB
2. Run ./lock_ipod.sh to prevent auto-unmounting
3. Use the Python extractor in ipod-music-extractor/

See WORKING_SOLUTION_GUIDE.md for complete instructions.

lock_ipod.sh

#!/bin/bash
while true; do
  if [[ -d "/Volumes/iPod" ]]; then
    echo "iPod connected! Locking mount..."
    cd "/Volumes/iPod"
    echo "Press Ctrl+C to release lock"
    tail -f /dev/null
  fi
  sleep 0.1
done

WORKING_SOLUTION_GUIDE.md

iPod Music Extraction - Working Solution

Problem

Extract music from a 5th generation iPod nano using CLI tools on macOS. Music files are stored with scrambled 4-character names in iPod_Control/Music/F##/ folders.

Solution

Step 1: Connect iPod

1. Connect iPod via USB
2. Rename the mounted volume to "iPod" if needed

Step 2: Keep iPod Mounted

Create and run this script to prevent auto-unmounting:

#!/bin/bash
while true; do
  if [[ -d "/Volumes/iPod" ]]; then
    echo "iPod connected! Locking mount..."
    cd "/Volumes/iPod"
    echo "Press Ctrl+C to release lock"
    tail -f /dev/null
  fi
  sleep 0.1
done

Step 3: Use Python iPod Extractor

Install:

git clone https://github.com/ShaneLee/ipod-music-extractor
cd ipod-music-extractor
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install mutagen

Extract:

python extract.py "/Volumes/iPod" ~/Downloads/iPod_Music_Extracted