How to Clone an iPod (iPod Video 5G 5.5G) & Easily Open Them

First off, as a disclaimer I cannot be held responsible if you break or damage your iPod. Do this at your own risk. This procedure is for the preservation of my music & iPod settings - not for the illegal distribution of songs. I do not advocate piracy.

Procedure of cloning one iPod to another- 4:08

Please note, I am doing this procedure on two identical iPods of the same specifications (5th Gen iPod Video 60GB). I am not sure if it will work on two different units or other model iPods beyond 5G. Also note, this may not work if you purchased music through the itunes store. All of my music was ripped from CDs, tapes, and records. My ipod also contains music that I sung. All of the music is ethnic music which is uncommon and definitely not mainstream.

1. Disable automatic start in itunes so that it doesn't automatically start when you plug in your iPod. (google it if you don’t know how to do so)

2. Enable “view hidden files” (this is automatic in linux, windows & mac users please see links)

3. Make a folder in your computer to put the ipod’s contents in (ex. iPod Backup)

4. Plug in your old ipod and navigate to its contents.

5. Highlight everything and copy to your computer’s folder. This may take up to several hours.

6. Eject the old iPod and plug in the new iPod.

7. Start up itunes and re-initialize the new iPod (all contents on your new ipod will be erased.) Name the iPod the same name as your old one.

8. Close itunes and navigate back to the new ipod, this time highlight and delete everything.

9. Copy over the contents of the old ipod (stored on your computer) to the new ipod. This may take a long long time as well.

10. Start up itunes once everything has copied over and you’re good to go.

Link to see hidden files in windows:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files

Link to see hidden files in OS X MacOS-
http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac-software/how-show-hidden-files-in-mac-os-x-finder-funter-3520878/

I would imagine this method would also be good if you were simply upgrading your hardrive on a single iPod.