
Who doesn't feel nostalgic for the iPod? From the click wheel of the iPod Classic to the touchscreen of the iPod Touch, these devices changed how we listened to music. Even though Apple stopped making iPods in 2022, they are still loved by millions, with over 390 million sold worldwide.
As people moved to music streaming, Apple Music and Spotify both tried to be the top choice. Apple Music is still the main choice for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch users, but Spotify is also popular for online and offline listening - or maybe you just like Spotify better. The good news is that you can get Spotify on your iPod, whether it's a newer model like the iPod Touch or an older model like the iPod Shuffle, Nano, or Classic. Let's get started!
Part 1. iPod Models Compatible and Incompatible with Spotify

Not all iPods work the same with Spotify. In 2012, Apple released the iPod Touch 5th generation. It was the first iPod capable of running the Spotify app. It had a touchscreen and enough power to handle streaming, making it a favorite for users who wanted more than just offline music. Later generations, like the 6th and 7th, added better performance, more storage, and support for iOS 15 and above, allowing Spotify to run smoothly.
The key factor is iOS. Older iPods, like the Classic, Nano, and Shuffle, were not made for streaming. The 4th generation iPod Touch could only run iOS 6.1.6, the 3rd generation up to iOS 5.1.1, and the earliest models supported iOS 4.2.1 or lower. Because the Spotify app requires iOS 15 or later, these older iPods cannot run it directly. But you can still get Spotify on your iPod, regardless of iOS version or subscription.
| iPod Model / Series | Release Year | Max iOS | Spotify Support | Notes |
| iPod Classic 1st–6th Gen | 2001–2007 | N/A | No | Music only |
| iPod Nano 1st–7th Gen | 2005–2012 | N/A | No | Music only |
| iPod Shuffle 1st–4th Gen | 2005–2010 | N/A | No | Music only |
| iPod Touch 1st–4th Gen | 2007–2010 | iOS 3.1.3–6.1.6 | No | Too old |
| iPod Touch 5th Gen | 2012 | iOS 9.3.5 | Limited | Older Spotify only |
| iPod Touch 6th Gen | 2015 | iOS 12.5.7 | Limited | Older Spotify only |
| iPod Touch 7th Gen | 2019 | iOS 15.5 | Yes | Latest Spotify works |
You Can Definitely Download Spotify to Your iPod:
A handy solution is the ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. It lets you download and convert Spotify tracks, playlists, albums, podcasts, and even audiobooks to your iPod - even without a Premium subscription. In just a few simple steps, you can refresh your iPod with your favorite Spotify music. Give it a try and bring your music library back to life!
Download Spotify music, podcasts and audiobooks as MP3 and more. Keep full sound and listen offline anytime.
Part 2. What You Can and Cannot Do with Spotify on iPod
Features depend on your iPod. On an iPod Touch, you can stream music, download for offline listening, and use Connect. On older iPods, you can't stream directly or sync playlists in real time, but you can convert and transfer music files using ViWizard for offline listening.
Understanding these limits sets realistic expectations:
iPod Touch (5th–7th Gen):
- What you can do:
- Stream music over Wi-Fi
- Download playlists and albums for offline listening (Premium)
- Search and play songs, artists, and albums
- Create and manage playlists
- Browse personalized recommendations
- Play podcasts
- Install Spotify app
- Control other devices with Spotify Connect
- What you can't do:
- Stream music without Wi-Fi
- Run the latest Spotify app on older Touch models
- Use some newer features reliably
- Guarantee smooth app performance on older iOS
iPod Classic / Nano / Shuffle:
- What you can do:
- Play music without the Spotify app
- Convert Spotify tracks to MP3 or AAC
- Sync converted tracks to the iPod via iTunes
- Listen offline like normal MP3 files
- Organize playlists via iTunes
- What you can't do:
- Install the Spotify app
- Stream Spotify music directly
- Search or browse Spotify catalog in-app
- Access playlists, recommendations, or Spotify Connect
- Sync Spotify music without converting first
Part 3. How to Install and Play Spotify on Newer iPod Models
Getting Spotify on a newer iPod Touch is easy. If you have a Premium account, you can also download music to listen offline - perfect for walks, trips, or places without Wi-Fi.
What You Need:
- iPod Touch 5th, 6th, or 7th Generation (with iOS 15.0 or later)
- Stable Internet Connection (Wi-Fi recommended)
- Apple ID (for App Store access)
- Premium Account (for Offline Mode)
How to Set Up Spotify on iPod Touch
Step 1 On your home screen, go to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure your device is updated to iOS 15.0 or later. Install any available updates.
Step 2 Open the App Store from your home screen.
Step 3 Tap the Search tab at the bottom, then type "Spotify" in the search bar.
Step 4 Find the Spotify app in the results and tap Get (or the cloud icon if you've downloaded it before). Wait for installation to complete.
Step 5 Tap the Spotify icon on your home screen to open the app.
Step 6 Log in with your Spotify username and password, or tap Continue with Facebook/Apple if you use those logins.
Step 7 Explore the app:
- Home tab to browse playlists
- Search tab to discover new music
- Your Library to access saved playlists and albums
How to Download Spotify Music to iPod Touch
Step 1 In Your Library, or on any playlist/album page, tap the Download icon (downward arrow) at the top-right.
Step 2 Wait for the green arrow to appear next to songs - this means they are fully downloaded.
Step 3 Go to Home > Settings (gear icon) > Playback and enable Offline Mode so your music plays without an internet connection.
If Spotify doesn't work, your iPod may be too old. The 4th generation and earlier cannot run the latest Spotify app. Make sure your iPod is at least a 5th generation Touch with iOS 15 or later. Older iPods need another way to play Spotify music.
Part 4. How to Convert and Download Spotify Music for Newer and Older iPod Models
Older iPods like the Shuffle, Nano, or Classic weren't made for streaming. Getting Spotify music on them can feel like trying to pour the ocean into a teacup - possible, but tricky. The main problem? DRM stops music from playing on unsupported devices, so older iPods can't play Spotify directly.
For iPods not officially supported by Spotify, there's a solution that can save a lot of time and effort: ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. It's a game-changer! You can download your entire Spotify library for offline listening and convert it into file formats like MP3 that your iPod can play. This removes DRM restrictions and other limits, giving you full access to your music directly on your iPod - no iPhone or other device needed. You can even use it as a portable music player for your car or speakers by storing your favorite tracks, playlists, podcasts, or audiobooks on your iPod.
Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
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- Download Spotify songs, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks extremely fast at up to 15x speed
- Convert Spotify into MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly
- Lets you play Spotify tracks offline on any device without restrictions
- Works seamlessly on Windows and macOS, supporting the built-in Spotify Web Player
Step 1Download and Install ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Start by downloading ViWizard Spotify Music Converter for your computer. Make sure to select the correct version based on your operating system - Windows or Mac. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software. After installation, launch ViWizard to begin converting your Spotify tracks into a format that's compatible with your iPod.
Step 2Add Spotify Tracks for Conversion
After opening ViWizard, log in to your Spotify account within the software to access your entire music library. Browse through your playlists, albums, or favorite tracks and choose the ones you want to convert. Click the "+" icon in the bottom-right corner, and it will turn green. Once clicked, ViWizard will automatically load your selected music, preparing it for conversion.
Step 3Choose Output Format and Settings
To ensure the music is compatible with your iPod, go to the hamburger menu in the top-right corner, click on Preferences > Conversion. Choose MP3 as the output format, as it's universally supported by all iPod models. For the best sound quality, set the bitrate to 320kbps. You can also adjust settings like sample rate and channels based on your preferences for high-quality audio.
Step 4Convert and Download Spotify Music
Once you've selected your desired settings, click on the Convert button to begin the conversion process. ViWizard will convert your tracks at 15x speed, so it won't take long. As the conversion progresses, you can track the status of each song. Once the process is complete, open the output folder to find your newly converted Spotify tracks. You can now transfer these files to your iPod.
Part 5. How to Sync and Play Spotify Music on Your iPod
After preparing your music, syncing it to your iPod is next.
How to Sync Local Files to iPod
For macOS Mojave or Earlier, and Windows PC
Step 1 Ensure iTunes is updated to the latest version to avoid compatibility issues.
Step 2 In iTunes, go to File > Add File to Library and select your downloaded Spotify music (MP3 or AAC format).

Step 3 Connect your iPod to your computer using a USB cable and click the iPod icon in the upper-left corner of iTunes.

Step 4 Under Settings, click Music in the left sidebar. Alteratively, check Sync Music, then select Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres.

Step 5 Choose the playlist or folder where your Spotify songs are saved (e.g., Recently Added).
Step 6 Click Apply in the lower-right corner. Wait for syncing to finish before disconnecting your iPod.
For macOS Catalina or Later
Step 1 Connect your iPod via USB. It should appear in the Finder sidebar. Click the iPod icon to select it.
Step 2 If prompted, trust your device and enter your passcode.
Step 3 Click the Music tab in the Finder window. Check Sync music onto your iPod, then select Selected artists, albums, genres, and playlists.
Step 4 Navigate to the playlist or folder where your Spotify music is stored and select the files you want to sync.
Step 5 Click Apply to begin syncing. Wait for the process to finish before disconnecting your iPod.
How to Play Local Files on iPod
For iPod Touch (All Models)
Step 1 Unlock your iPod and go to the Home screen.
Step 2 Open the Music app - this is where all your synced music resides.
Step 3 Tap the Library tab. Select Playlists, Artists, Albums, or Songs to find your synced files. Use the Search function at the top to locate specific tracks.
Step 4 Tap any song, album, or playlist to start playing your music.
Step 5 If you synced podcasts or audiobooks, they appear under Podcasts or Audiobooks in the Library.
On iOS 9 or later, the Music app integrates with Apple Music, showing both local and streaming content in one place.
For iPod Classic, Nano, and Shuffle
Step 1 Connect your iPod to your computer and open iTunes.
Step 2 Select your iPod from the list and go to the Summary tab.
Step 3 Check Enable disk use and click Apply. This allows your computer to access the iPod's storage for easier file management.
Step 4 Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Step 5 Locate your iPod (may be named "iPod" or "Untitled").
Step 6 Navigate to the iPod_Control folder (may be hidden - enable viewing of hidden files if necessary).
Step 7 Find the Music folder, where your synced tracks are stored. Be cautious when accessing or modifying files to avoid affecting iPod functionality.
Step 8 On your iPod, use the click wheel or buttons to navigate.
Step 9 Go to Music > Playlists, Artists, Albums, or Songs.
Step 10 Select your preferred category and press Play to enjoy your songs.
The iPod Shuffle has no screen and plays music in shuffle mode, so you cannot browse albums or songs directly.
Part 6. How to Sync and Play Spotify Music in Car Through iPod
If you want to play your downloaded Spotify music in your car, using your iPod as a source is a great option.
For iPod Touch (All Models)
Step 1 Use either a USB or AUX cable to connect your iPod to your car:
USB: If your car supports USB input, connect the USB cable to the car's USB port. The stereo should recognize your iPod and allow you to control music from the car.
AUX: For cars with an AUX input, use a 3.5mm audio cable to connect your iPod.
Step 2 Set your car's stereo to USB or AUX mode, depending on how you connected your iPod.
Step 3 Launch the Music app on your iPod, where your synced Spotify music is stored.
Step 4 Browse your Library by Playlists, Artists, Albums, or Songs to find the music you want to play.
Step 5 Select a song, album, or playlist and press Play.
For iPod Classic, Nano, and Shuffle
Step 1 Use either a USB or AUX cable to connect your iPod to your car:
USB: If your car supports USB, connect your iPod Classic, Nano, or Shuffle using the USB cable.
AUX: For cars with an AUX input, use a 3.5mm audio cable.
Step 2 Set your car's stereo to USB or AUX mode.
Step 3 Use the click wheel or buttons to browse Playlists, Artists, Albums, or Songs to find your synced music.
Step 4 Select your desired track or playlist and press Play.
If your car stereo supports Bluetooth, you may be able to connect your iPod via Bluetooth (iPod Touch, iPod Nano 7th generation, and iPod Classic with a Bluetooth adapter). This depends on your car's Bluetooth capabilities.
Part 7. FAQs About Spotify on iPod
This section answers common questions:
Which iPods are actually supported by Spotify?
Only iPod Touch devices (5th generation and newer) support the Spotify app. Older iPods - Classic, Nano, and Shuffle - cannot stream Spotify.
Can I use Spotify on an old iPod (Classic, Nano, Shuffle)?
No. You can't stream Spotify directly on those models. They can only play local music files synced from iTunes or Finder.
How can I get Spotify music onto unsupported iPods?
You can use ViWizard Spotify Music Converter to turn Spotify tracks into files like MP3 or AAC, then sync them to your iPod via iTunes. Keep in mind this involves converting DRM-protected content, which is for personal use only.
Can the iPod Touch run Spotify natively?
Yes. Any iPod Touch with a compatible iOS version can install the Spotify app from the App Store. Premium users can download playlists for offline use, but older Touch models may not support the latest app versions.
Why can't I sync Spotify playlists to my iPod?
If you can't sync playlists, it may be because your iPod isn't compatible with the Spotify app. Only iPod Touch models with iOS 12 or later can sync playlists directly. For older models, you need to convert Spotify music to MP3 first.
Why do people still use Spotify with iPods?
Many users enjoy nostalgia, offline or distraction-free listening, and the sense of owning a personal music library. Older iPods are often used as dedicated music devices rather than streaming players.
Conclusion
What we have shared here is all we want to help you download Spotify songs to iPod for playing with ease. If you have an iPod touch, you are able to easily install Spotify and then download Spotify songs with a Premium account. But if you are using an old iPod model, you need to turn to ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. Then you will have the right to transfer Spotify songs to your device for playing without limits.

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