# Does the ipod shuffle require itunes to load your music? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 24, 2012, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-ipod-shuffle-require-itunes-to-load-your-music/619800 "2012-04-24T12:42:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-ipod-shuffle-require-itunes-to-load-your-music/619800/21 "2012-04-26T14:36:02Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > Not only that, but is it fair to call the claim nonsense when officially every model of iPod currently available **does** require iTunes? It is clearly and unambiguously listed on the packaging and [online product descriptions](http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_shuffle). > > Shuffle and Nano both say iTunes 10 is required. > Touch says iTunes 10.5 is required. > Classic says iTunes 9 is required. Good freakin’ grief. The _version_ of a program that an iPod needs in no way shape or form means that only that particular program is required. [Here’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_iPod_managers) just a basic list of iTunes alternatives. If you nose around Cnet and other download sites you can find even more. Other folks: please note these quotes upthread: **Pitchmeister** : “Yes, the Shuffle, like every iPod, requires iTunes.” **Doug K.** : “The short answer is yes, iTunes is required.” Not exactly hard to see. These are the kinds of posts that people like me are not happy about. Complete and utterly false. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-ipod-shuffle-require-itunes-to-load-your-music/619800/22 "2012-04-26T15:10:40Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > **Doug K.** : “The short answer is yes, iTunes is required.” > > Not exactly hard to see. These are the kinds of posts that people like me are not happy about. Complete and utterly false. Please note Doug K.'s very next line: > [@](#): > > The longer answer is yes, as nudgenudge mentioned there is third party software available that will let you use it more like a standards-compliant mp3 player. Time for some new blood pressure medication? ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-ipod-shuffle-require-itunes-to-load-your-music/619800/23 "2012-04-26T15:16:23Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Good freakin’ grief. The _version_ of a program that an iPod needs in no way shape or form means that only that particular program is required. > > [Here’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_iPod_managers) just a basic list of iTunes alternatives. If you nose around Cnet and other download sites you can find even more. > > Other folks: please note these quotes upthread: > > **Pitchmeister** : “Yes, the Shuffle, like every iPod, requires iTunes.” > > **Doug K.** : “The short answer is yes, iTunes is required.” > > Not exactly hard to see. These are the kinds of posts that people like me are not happy about. Complete and utterly false. Further to this, they all go on to say, given that you need iTunes, here are third party programs that can be layered on top to make iTunes less like iTunes. However, they all agree you need iTunes to start, which is incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-ipod-shuffle-require-itunes-to-load-your-music/619800/24 "2012-04-26T16:04:24Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Good freakin’ grief. The _version_ of a program that an iPod needs in no way shape or form means that only that particular program is required. > > [Here’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_iPod_managers) just a basic list of iTunes alternatives. If you nose around Cnet and other download sites you can find even more. > > Other folks: please note these quotes upthread: > > **Pitchmeister** : “Yes, the Shuffle, like every iPod, requires iTunes.” > > **Doug K.** : “The short answer is yes, iTunes is required.” > > Not exactly hard to see. These are the kinds of posts that people like me are not happy about. Complete and utterly false. This is also not exactly hard to see: > [@Doug\_K](#): > > The longer answer is yes, as **nudgenudge** mentioned there is third party software available that will let you use it more like a standards-compliant mp3 player. However, Apple doesn’t want you to use it any software other than theirs, and if your iPod malfunctions while under warranty Apple will blame it on the software and probably say it invalidates the warranty. The fact that workarounds exist does not change the fact that iPods were only designed to work with iTunes. Apple can’t legally stop you from using an alternative any more than GM can stop you from modifying your starter switch to work with a screwdriver, but they can tell you that they won’t guarantee your iPod will still work after using alternative software on it: [QUOTE=Apple Limited Warranty for iPods] This warranty does not apply: (a) to damage caused by accident, abuse, **misuse, misapplication, or non- Apple products;** (b) to damage caused by service performed by anyone other than Apple; (c) to a product or a part that has been modified without the written permission of Apple; or (d) if any Apple serial number has been removed or defaced. [/QUOTE] To be clear, I’m saying that although there are workarounds available, it isn’t unreasonable to think that iTunes is required for iPods, because Apple unequivocally says iTunes is required. If you want to blame someone for spreading misinformation, blame Apple. But I suspect their answer would be something to the effect that Amarok, Banshee, Clementine, Disk Aid, etc. don’t get to dictate requirements for Apple products, Apple does. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-ipod-shuffle-require-itunes-to-load-your-music/619800.md?page=1)