Use Your iPod without iTunes

There are a lot of free iTunes alternatives out there. This guide is written after successfully using one of the fastest and lightest solutions: CopyTrans Manager.

CopyTrans Manager is compatible with:

• Most recent versions of iTunes (at time of writing this article: 8.2) 
• All non-tactile iPods 
• iPhone/iPod Touch with firmware up to 1.1.4 
• iPhone/iPod touch firmware 2 if jailbroken (I am told all models will be supported by June 10, 2009) 
• Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7

Installing and running CopyTrans Manager

There are two solutions are available.

1. Use CopyTrans Manager through the CopyTrans Control Center. Advantages of using this are that you will always be up-to-date with the latest versions of the software.
   1. Go to: http://www.copytrans.net/download.php and download the Free Installer. 
   2. Install and launch CopyTrans Control Center.
   3. Click on CopyTrans Manager.
2. Download the CopyTrans manager zip package.
   1. Go to: http://www.copytrans.net/download-zip.php?program=CTM.
   2. Unzip the files (the .exe and .ris must be extracted to the same folder).
   3. Launch CopyTrans Manager.

Making CopyTrans Manager "Portable"

By downloading the zip package of CopyTrans Manager, you have direct access to the 2 files that are necessary in order to use CopyTrans Manger without installation (CopyTransManager.exe and CopyTransManager.ris).

You can place these 2 files in a dedicated folder on your iPod or pocket drive. Once connected to another computer, simply click on the CopyTrans Manager icon (.exe) and listen to or manage your iPod/iPhone.

The CopyTrans Manage Interface Overview

Adding music and videos to iPod/iPhone without iTunes

There are two different ways available for adding music to the iPod.

The first one is the simple drag and drop feature.

1. Find the music you want to add using Windows Explorer.
2. Drag and Drop it to CopyTrans Manager.
3. If you are using the "manual update process," click on the Update icon at the top of the CopyTrans Manager application window. (You can change this preference in the "Settings" tab.)

You can also use the "Add tracks" icon at the top of the application window.

1. Click "Add Tracks." 
2. Select tracks in the file explorer.
3. Click Open.
4. If you are using the "manual update process," click on the Update icon at the top of the CopyTrans Manager application window. (You can change this preference in the "Settings" tab.)

Add playlists and populate with tracks

To create or delete iPod playlists, simply use the + or - signs at the top of the playlists pane (on the left side of the CopyTrans Manager application window).

You can also do a right click with the mouse inside the playlist window, select "Add playlist..." or "Delete playlist..."

To add tracks to a playlist, simply select them from the main track listing and drag and drop them into the playlist.

Remove songs from playlists or delete playlists and songs from the iPod

To remove songs from a playlist:

1. Select songs you wish to remove.
2. Either
   1. Right click and select "Remove from playlist."
   2. Hit the keyboard Delete key.
   3. Use the Eraser button on the top of the application window.
3. If you want to delete a playlists AND the tracks associated with it, right click on the playlist on the left and select "Delete playlist and tracks from iPod."
4. If you are using the "manual update process," click on the Update icon at the top of the CopyTrans Manager application window. (You can change this preference in the "Settings" tab.)

Deleting music and videos from iPhone/iPod without iTunes

Simply select the tracks to delete and use the "Delete Tracks from iPod" button at the top of the CopyTrans Manager application window.

Edit Track Information

1. Select the track you wish to change the details of.
2. Click on the "Edit track(s)" button on the top of the application window.
3. Or right click and select "Edit."
4. Apply.
5. If you are using the "manual update process," click on the Update icon at the top of the CopyTrans Manager application window. (You can change this preference in the "Settings" tab.)

Using the integrated music player

At time of writing the article, the integrated player is still a bit "simple." Double click on a track to play it, or select it and hit the "Play" button in the player.

Available options are:

• Previous track
• Next track
• Play/Pause
• Repeat All and Repeat One
• Volume adjustment

I will update this guide whenever I receive a new version of this software. All comments are welcome.