iPod Windows / Mac compatibility

Jonny69 · 18-02-2009, 15:42

Will an iPod that's been filled from a PC show on a Mac? We've got a Mac with iTunes at work and my iPod nano 3 doesn't show up on it. It charges ok but won't show in iTunes. I've only used it on the firewire lead and I use USB on the PC.

iCraig · 18-02-2009, 15:57

The short answer is no.

Unless there's a work-around I'm not aware of. People are getting the iPod do all sorts of things so you never know, but I think Mac and PC both format storage differently, so it might only cope with one system at a time.

LeperousDust · 18-02-2009, 16:21

I can't remember which way it was, but i was under the impression it works with both under one format, but only one with t'other. Can't remember exactly how, but i have a feeling if it's initially formatted by a windows box its pretty much universal, otherwise its mac only.

Jonny69 · 18-02-2009, 16:34

Ah ok, that's a bit annoying

Burble · 18-02-2009, 23:37

In theory a Windows formatted iPod should work on a Mac since the Mac can read/write FAT32. I can't test this because my iPod is Mac formatting. Though I think my Nano is Windows formatted but I can't remember where it is!

You can also use a Mac formatted iPod on Windows if you have a program called MacDrive installed.

Edit - Are you trying to use a firewire cable on a new Nano? That won't work irrespective of what format it is since the latest iPods have had all the firewire gubbins removed.

18-02-2009, 15:42	#1
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	iPod Windows / Mac compatibility Will an iPod that's been filled from a PC show on a Mac? We've got a Mac with iTunes at work and my iPod nano 3 doesn't show up on it. It charges ok but won't show in iTunes. I've only used it on the firewire lead and I use USB on the PC. __________________

18-02-2009, 15:57	#2
iCraig iCustom User Title Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,250	The short answer is no. Unless there's a work-around I'm not aware of. People are getting the iPod do all sorts of things so you never know, but I think Mac and PC both format storage differently, so it might only cope with one system at a time. __________________

18-02-2009, 16:21	#3
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	I can't remember which way it was, but i was under the impression it works with both under one format, but only one with t'other. Can't remember exactly how, but i have a feeling if it's initially formatted by a windows box its pretty much universal, otherwise its mac only. __________________

18-02-2009, 16:34	#4
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Ah ok, that's a bit annoying __________________

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18-02-2009, 23:37	#5
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	In theory a Windows formatted iPod should work on a Mac since the Mac can read/write FAT32. I can't test this because my iPod is Mac formatting. Though I think my Nano is Windows formatted but I can't remember where it is! You can also use a Mac formatted iPod on Windows if you have a program called MacDrive installed. Edit - Are you trying to use a firewire cable on a new Nano? That won't work irrespective of what format it is since the latest iPods have had all the firewire gubbins removed.