App to replace iTunes for syncing podcasts and imported audio to iPod Classic?

[Doc69]

I'm currently using iTunes to sync podcasts to my iPod Classic. Apart from regular podcast subscriptions, I also import audio files, such as Youtube videos converted to audio only, so I can listen to them on my iPod Classic. Since the Podcast app does not support importing your own audio files like iTunes does, if I wanted to abandon iTunes, do you know of another app that can do this?

 

[ignatius345]

If you're using Ventura, syncing should be handled via the Finder. iTunes doesn't exist anymore, and its replacement is the Music app -- which doesn't directly sync with external devices like iPods and iPhones anymore.

You should be able to get your files onto your iPod by importing into Music, attaching the iPod, and then looking for it in the sidebar in any Finder window. At that point you should see some options for picking which tracks from your Music collection you want to sync over. Not sure the iPod will treat them as "podcasts" but they should show up with your music.

If you Get Info on the track within Music, you might find that option to remember playback position (if it's still there). That will at least keep you from having to lose your place if you go back to a particular podcast track.

 

[KaliYoni]

if I wanted to abandon iTunes, do you know of another app that can do this?

This utility is recommended by many well-respected users of the Apple troubleshooting websites I follow:

iMazing | iPhone, iPad & iPod Manager for Mac & PC

iMazing lets you transfer music, files, messages, apps and more from any iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer, Mac or PC. Manage and backup your iOS device simply without iTunes. (was DiskAid)

imazing.com

My direct experience is limited to the anti-spyware functionality. I'd say if the rest of iMazing is similar in UI and UX, it's definitely worthy as an iTunes/Music replacement.

 

[Doc69]

If you're using Ventura, syncing should be handled via the Finder. iTunes doesn't exist anymore, and its replacement is the Music app -- which doesn't directly sync with external devices like iPods and iPhones anymore.

You should be able to get your files onto your iPod by importing into Music, attaching the iPod, and then looking for it in the sidebar in any Finder window. At that point you should see some options for picking which tracks from your Music collection you want to sync over. Not sure the iPod will treat them as "podcasts" but they should show up with your music.

If you Get Info on the track within Music, you might find that option to remember playback position (if it's still there). That will at least keep you from having to lose your place if you go back to a particular podcast track.

Yes, I'm using Ventura. I'm also still using iTunes via Retroactive successfully on Intel, but switching now to M2, iTunes did not work as well. I'll play around with your suggestions. But even if I can get my own audio files onto the iPod via the Music app, then I won't have regular podcast subscriptions available as well. That's what I like about iTunes, that I can have my own files together with the subscriptions, and have my own files behave like and show up under podcasts too. That's the major thing that happened with the transition to the Music and Podcasts apps, that you no longer can change the 'Media kind' of files between Music, Podcast, Audiobook, and Voice Memo. If you could, then even the Finder sync would put the files in the desired places on the iPod.

 

[ignatius345]

That's the major thing that happened with the transition to the Music and Podcasts apps, that you no longer can change the 'Media kind' of files between Music, Podcast, Audiobook, and Voice Memo.

Ah, I didn't realize this. Are you still able to sync "regular" (downloaded) podcasts over to the iPod?

Back in the day I used to have Audio Hijack Pro scripted to record the news program I wanted to hear early every morning and then send the file into iTunes. I'd get up a bit later, sync my iPod really quick and then listen on the subway on the way to work. I think I had them marked as "audiobooks" which kept the playback position if I stopped and came back to it later. People loved to complain about iTunes being "bloated" but it really had a lot of powerful tools built in and the Music app jettisoned much of that.

This is probably not what you're looking for, but on an iOS device, Overcast is a great podcast app that will let you also manually upload files to listen to, in addition to whatever regular podcast subscriptions you have. Obviously not much use on an iPod Classic, though.

 

[NoBoMac]

This is probably not what you're looking for, but on an iOS device, Overcast is a great podcast app that will let you also manually upload files to listen to, in addition to whatever regular podcast subscriptions you have.

Currently using iCatcher! for manual Finder sync of podcasts in Podcasts to iPhone. Readdle Documents (or similar) can be an intermediate step for manual sync: drag drop into it via Finder then use share sheet to move to app of choice (Pocket Casts is my other player) or play directly from it.