Music and iPod

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Level 2

384 points

Music and iPod

I am an old iTunes user. For years iTunes managed my podcasts and updating to my iPod Nano. Until recently I was using iTunes 12.8.2.3 on an old 2011 iMac with Sierra 10.12.6. Now iTunes won't let me subscribe to Podcasts. I get "The iTunes Store is temporarily unavailable" and "Your request produced an error. [newNullResponse]. I keep the old iMac around because I still have a couple of 32 bit programs I need.

I also have a 2019 iMac. So I thought maybe this is the time to switch to the Podcasts app. I find it baffling. I just want my Podcasts to transfer to my iPod and be easy to delete after I've listened to them.

Did I say I am old? I've looked for, but can't find, any tutorials that walks me through how Music works and how to make it work with my iPod. Can you point me to somewhere where I can see how they work together? I want podcasts (which are showing in Music) to be copied to my iPod and then I want to delete them from the iPod after listening.

Thanks for your advice.

iMac 27″

Posted on Oct 26, 2025 11:04 AM

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Answer 1

brbo

Level 8

38,479 points

Oct 29, 2025 10:28 PM in response to Ross H

Hi Ross H

Re: "iTunes won't let me subscribe to Podcasts

Am no expert in this area, yet your request to the community deserves some response.

Fortunately, Apple Support provides lots of info. in articles accessible online (links below).

However seems Apple itself no longer supports iPod, so iPod articles may be outdated now.

To use the iTunes Store in the Music app:

See how to: Sign in to your Apple Account in Music on Mac - Apple Support

How to: Find podcasts on iPod touch - Apple Support

and

Change your download settings for Podcasts on iPod touch - Apple Support

You could see if you can:

Download, save, and share podcast episodes on iPod touch - Apple Support

____________________________________________________________________

Re: I want podcasts (which are showing in Music) to be copied to my iPod and

then I want to delete them from the iPod after listening."

Seems "If you have an iPod classic, iPod nano or iPod shuffle, you have to sync your device with your Mac to add podcasts and other content to it".

See how to: Sync podcasts between your Mac and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Note: When podcasts are synced, if you add a podcast to Mac it also appears on iPad

Similarly, if you delete a podcast on iPod, it also deletes on Mac

Other podcast info: Apple Podcasts User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

_________

Re: " ... how Music works .."

You can choose whether or not you want to subscribe to Apple Music.

(Some of us just use the app for purchases and for music we already own.)

How to: Add music to build your library in Music on Mac - Apple Support

Eg: says:

As you start using Music on your Mac, you can build your music library — your collection of songs and albums — in many ways.

_________

Resources

Apple's Music Support Website has some info / support / contact options etc:

Music - Official Apple Support

Music User Guide (Click "Table of contents" to see various topics, leading to "How to" articles)

(You can choose your MacOS version at the top of articles for accurate info.for your Mac)

Apple Music User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

All the best :-)

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