A free, open-source desktop application for managing iPods without iTunes.
Browse, edit, sync, convert, and back up iPod libraries from one desktop application.
Unsupported audio and video formats can be converted to iPod-compatible output with FFmpeg. Converted files can be cached so unchanged media does not need to be re-encoded.
Before writing changes, iOpenPod presents a review of planned additions, removals, metadata updates, artwork changes, and device storage impact.
iOpenPod saves device snapshots so earlier states can be restored if needed. Backups are tracked per device and can be managed from the backup browser.
Search, subscribe, download episodes, and sync podcasts to an iPod.
ListenBrainz and Last.FM scrobbling can submit play history during sync.
Browse and manage standard playlists and rule-based smart playlists.
Read play counts, ratings, and skip counts from the iPod and sync them back to PC library metadata where supported.
Copy files directly to the iPod without using the full PC-folder sync workflow.
Extract embedded or folder artwork, resize it, and write it to the iPod artwork database.
Supports music, audiobooks, podcasts, videos, and photos.
Configure transcoding, sync behavior, external tools, device handling, and related workflows.
Light and dark appearances are available from the app settings.
iOpenPod supports most iPods. iPod Shuffle support is planned; iPod Touch support is not planned, but may be possible in the future.
| Device | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPod "Classic" (all generations 1st-7th) | Supported | |
| iPod Mini (all generations 1st and 2nd) | Supported | |
| iPod Nano (all generations 1st-7th) | Supported | |
| iPod Shuffle | Planned | Shuffle uses a different database structure. ETA ~4 mo. |
| iPod Touch | Not planned | Touch requires non-file-system device protocols. |
PyPI installs are recommended while native packaging is still being hardened. Native builds are also available from GitHub releases.
iOpenPod is available as a Python package through pip, pipx, and uv tool. After installing, launch it with
iopenpod.
pipInstalls iOpenPod into your current Python environment.
Upgrade with python -m pip install --upgrade iopenpod.
pipxCreates an isolated app environment and exposes the iopenpod command.
Upgrade with pipx upgrade iopenpod.
uv toolIf you already use uv, this gives you the same isolated app-style install.
Upgrade with uv tool upgrade iopenpod.
Native builds do not require a separate Python installation.
| Platform | File | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | iOpenPod-windows.zip | Extract the archive and run iOpenPod.exe. |
| macOS | iOpenPod-macos.tar.gz | Extract the archive and run iOpenPod.app. You may need to allow the app in System Settings. |
| Linux (recommended) | iOpenPod-Linux-x86_64.AppImage | Run chmod a+x ./iOpenPod-Linux-x86_64.AppImage, then launch the AppImage. |
| Linux (Arch-based) | iopenpod (AUR) | Install from the AUR. |
| Linux (tarball) | iOpenPod-linux.tar.gz | Extract the archive and run ./iOpenPod. |
Python package installs require Python 3.11+. If iopenpod is not on your PATH yet, run pipx ensurepath for pipx or uv tool update-shell for uv tool.
Installs should be updated with the same tool used to install them.
Required tools: install FFmpeg with ffprobe for transcoding and media probing, and Chromaprint for acoustic fingerprinting during sync.
To run iOpenPod from source, clone the repository and use uv sync.
uv sync installs dependencies into a local virtual environment. FFmpeg with ffprobe and Chromaprint are needed for full sync functionality.
Install iOpenPod from PyPI with pip, pipx, or uv tool, or download a native release build. Launch it, connect your iPod as a mounted drive, choose PC media folders, review the proposed changes, and apply the sync plan.
PyPI installs require Python 3.11 or newer. Native builds do not require a separate Python installation.
Yes. iOpenPod can convert unsupported audio and video formats to iPod-compatible output during sync. FFmpeg with ffprobe is required for transcoding and media probing.
Yes. iOpenPod supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. PyPI installs are recommended while native packaging is still being hardened.
No. iOpenPod shows you exactly what will change before writing anything, and backs up your database before every sync. Roll back with one click.
Yes. Drag and drop files into iOpenPod and they'll be added to your iPod directly — no sync configuration required.
No. iOpenPod reads the existing iTunesDB on your iPod and shows you everything already on it. You can browse, edit, and add tracks without touching what's already there. A sync will only change what you explicitly approve in the review step.
Make sure the iPod is mounted as a drive (visible in File Explorer or Finder) and not in disk mode lock. iOpenPod also has a manual folder picker if auto-detection misses it. If it's still not working, open an issue on GitHub with your iPod model and OS.
Yes for full sync functionality. FFmpeg with ffprobe is required for transcoding and media probing, and Chromaprint is required for acoustic fingerprinting during sync.
iOpenPod takes a full snapshot of your iPod's database before every sync begins. If anything goes wrong, open the Backups panel and restore the previous snapshot with one click — your iPod goes back to exactly how it was.
Only when you explicitly trigger it: checking for updates, scrobbling to ListenBrainz, or searching for podcasts. Nothing is sent in the background. There's no telemetry.
Yes, with a caveat. The fingerprint-to-database mapping is stored in a file on the iPod itself, so the iPod carries its own identity. Each PC will re-fingerprint its local library on first sync, then match against what's already on the device.
Not currently. iPod Touch uses non-file-system device protocols rather than the iTunesDB-style storage used by classic iPods.