I was desperate for a solution to syncing music to my iPhone without the use of iTunes. After some "hacking" here's what I came up with in the end that worked.
As far as I know, it's the first and currently only solution to syncing music with your iPhone under MS Windows without using iTunes, and also the only wireless solution under MS Windows. Be warned, though, it's not for the faint hearted [edit note: the current revision is a lot easier than the first one I posted, so my mum could do it now].
You need:
- iPhone (jailbreaked, with OpenSSH and connected to your wireless network. Tested with firmware 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 (thanks T509))
- Winamp 5.5 (winamp.com)
- ml_ipod 3.02 (mlipod.sf.net)
- SftpDrive (Shareware (unfortunately), sftpdrive.com)
- [PuTTy] (only if not using ml_ipod patch, read further down. http://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/latest/x86/putty.exe)
- MS Windows XP
Disable auto-lock in Settings - General on the iPhone (set to "Never") so that your wi-fi connection isn't disconnected during the process.
NOTE: The next step marked with square brackets involving PuTTY is no longer needed if you use abu's new patch, 3.02p02 from http://mlipod.sourceforge.net
[SSH with PuTTY to your iphone. You need the IP address to the iPhone and it's easiest to be on the same Wi-Fi network as the computer when doing this. Mine used 192.168.0.145, yours wont. Login with root and your password (google for iPhone OpenSSH default password if you haven't set one) and cd to /private/var/root/Media. From there, make a symbolic link: "ln -s iTunes_Control iPod_Control".]
Install SftpDrive and set it up to connect to your iphone using the same login information as for PuTTY. I made it so my iPhone was on drive letter T: and set Directory: to /private/var/root/Media, then click Connect. My setup:
If you go to My Computer you should now have a T: with the directories DCIM, iTunes_Control and so on in the root.
Next install Winamp and ml_ipod (with patch mentioned earlier if you're going for that option). Fire up Winamp options - preferences - ipod support. For testing, I unchecked all checkboxes from these tabs: home, features and sync, you should do the same, but can leave in album art if you have installed the patch. Then go to the advanced tab and check "look for iPods on network and fixed drives".
After you hit OK, you should get a dialog that asks you which kind of iPod you have just connected. Choose iPod Classic (or iPhone if you've used the previously mentioned ml_ipod patch). If the dialog doesn't appear, try to restart Winamp.
Now, sync it as you usually do. It will take some time since the files get transfered over your Wi-Fi network. I got around 600 kB/s.
That's it! Fire up the player on your iPhone and play your newly synced tracks! I like Mos Def so he got the honor of being first.
You do everything at your own risk.
Good luck!
Edits:
Edit: The main developer of ml_ipod, Abu, have been notified and will come up with an easier solution soon.
Edit2: If you're resyncing and the tracks don't show up in "iTunes" on the iPhone, try restarting the iPhone (hold the power button until the display shows "Slide to power off") and then turn it on again.
Edit3: ml_ipod 3.02p02 was just released. Syncing album art should work as well now.
Edit4: Added some more screenshots and cleaned it all up.
39 comments:
This is a cool way, thanks!
I just uploaded ml_ipod 3.02 patch 01, which supports this sftpdrive workaround. So no need to create the symlink any more.
Download it at
http://mlipod.sourceforge.net/?page=patches
Absolutely useless!
I bought my iPhone to not only sync music, but contacts, appointments, videos, etc.
Anonymous: Well, you could just use iTunes. Or you can go for other alternatives, SyncEvolution does sync other stuff as well (like contacts/calendar). And I guess ml_ipod will sync video soon, too.
Hi,
Thanks for the trick. I tested it on iPhone 1.1.2 and it works.
Translated and put on frenchiphone.com forum with awards for you.
Pretty cool, Eia...
Now, the only thing missing is for me to get an iPhone :)
EXTREMELY USEFUL!
Especially when you have to sync with more than 1 computer and you do not want to compromise your iTunes library.
Great work!
hi friend
I find the tool ipod rip
http://iphone.tgbus.com/software/other/200711/20071107110714.shtml
it can sync very good
@Sun: Well, couldn't understand anything on that site.
:)
What is needed more ...
* SyncML compatibility to get PIM functionnality
* Acces to SQLite databases for address book, calendar, ...
* Ability to sync personal data with the music list
I think ml_ipod can do it
Tried on my ipod Touch (1.1.1). Allowed me to sync with Winamp, but now I can't view any videos or listen to any music on the device. Both libraries appear empty on the device. iTunes says that the unit is corrupted. However, I can play music from Winamp with no problem. Help..
@anonymous: Guess this won't work if you're using iTunes, this is an alternative method to using iTunes. Anyway, try to resync with Winamp and then restart your iPhone (hold the power-off button for 5-7 seconds until "slide to POWER OFF" is displayed). If the music library on your iPhone still is empty, you'll probably have to restore the music database through iTunes somehow.
And yes, videos is (afaic) not currently supported with ml_ipod, so if you want those to sync, stick with iTunes for now.
Hello
i have the same problem.
My Database is empty on my ipod.
I restored my ipod and jailbreaked it again.
But same problem.
I can't sync through iTunes because i use Vista 64Bit.
I guess the guys having problems should talk with the ml_ipod developer. Check out these links:
Main site:
http://mlipod.sourceforge.net/
Forum:
http://forums.winamp.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=69
Is there a way to just upload my collection of MP3 and video files (already organized in folders) without syncing? Even generic brands of MP4s can do this by just copying the files directly into the device, the same way I do with my Data files in a USB drive.
Thanks for this tip... it works great! I have an unlocked and jailbroken iPhone and my iTunes Libray got out of sync, and I didn't feel like Restoring because I'd have to re-jailbreak. This allows me to add more music to my iPhone without wiping everything out.
BTW, I'm getting some good speeds of 775 kpbs - not bad considering it's a wi-fi sync.
Thanks! :)
Thats cool, i'll have to try this out. If I just didn't hate WinAMP. So, some says I could just go ahead and use iTunes. Well that's no optieon either, beeing on in Vista 64Bit, that iTunes do not support!
Legend! i love having the ability to sync wirelessly. Fanastic :)
You might beable to answer a question i have regarding itunes librarys. Is there any way i can add a file to my iPhone then have that copied to my iTunes library if i choose to plug it in there? Or at least just leave this file on my iPhone?
The use case is, download a movie and be able to view it on iPhone without having to go through iTunes. Then ideally not loose the file once synced with iTunes.
Cheers and Godt nytår :)
Jeremy
Nice shot, i use it and works for me perfectly. (v1.1.1)
But for people like me who don't like sharewares and using samba already there is a work around.
-install mp_ipod + patch
-edit smb.conf by adding /private/var/root/Media (don't forget read only = No)
- map the share with windows native mapping system in a drive.
- you winamp see it immediately
+: no shareware to install
+: no heavy ssh encryption
+: much more portable (at friend places, work, ...)
+: next time just turn one wifi+samba and go !
-: need samba
-: clear transfert
-: /private/var/root/Media direct full access
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Regards,
SpeGase
I forgot...
+:40% faster ;-)) (avg:290k)
Unfortunately i`m stuck with firmware 1.0.2 due to unlocking sim (i live outside usa).
Winamp even played tunes from my iphone database wirelessly
It just never asks for iphone, so i cannot sync.
I was looking for a way to get rid of itune's only one pc chain. I don`t care for the wi-fi issue, it is undoubte is cool, but not as fast as cable.
Btw what is the problem whit these guys so fond of itunes ? Do they have only one pc in their lives ?
eddanx;
mine is a 1.0.2 firmware. I followed the steps and was able to recognize iphone on Vista wirelessly, and even played a song remotely on winamp.
Winamp though never recognized iphone, no matter how i tried. Until i try to connect iphone with a cable just to force a recognizing. Guess what, it works! I am still unable to transfer wirelessly, but who cares, now i am not stuck with itunes database anymore! And it worked flawlessly, no damage to iphone songs database. Next i have to figure out what else can i dismiss, once i am running on a cable connection. Sfp, maybe?
Thanxs a lot and congrats!
jah_lah from Brazil
Hi, i have a problem with sftpdrive. it does not show the media directory in root, it shows the entire file system instead. i tried to enter /private/var/root/media as the custom directory but it didn´t help. sync over usb works. thanx
I tried to copy vids from the iPhone to my computer but it didn't work..said transfering at 0kb/s =( do you know how can to do it?
I have 5.52 Winamp & 3.04 ml_ipod, but Winamp wont recognize my iphone!
For iphone firmware 1.1.3+ the directory is now /var/media/mobile/Media
Everything else should be the same.
I can't get the dialog that asks you which kind of iPod you have just connected... I have tried restarting PC & Winamp.. help pls!
I was having trouble with my iPhone only taking 29 songs through iTunes. This seems to do the trick.
THANK YOU!
The directory mentioned by Antimatter15 is wrong. For firmwares 1.1.3 and 1.1.4 it is /var/mobile/Media.
More importantly, this solution does not work with these firmwares. ml_ipod happily recognises the Ipod and shows what is on it. The moment this happens the changes that are done by ml_ipod causes the ipod to say that there is no music present, and Itunes to say that it cannot read any data and that the firmware needs to be restored.
A solution would be greatly appreceated, as I realy want this to work for me.
If you run Parallels on Mac OS X, you won't need SftpDrive:
1. Mount your iPhone on your Mac OX desktop via WiFi (http://wickedpsyched.net/iphone/afp/).
2. Browse from Windows to the mounted iPhone filesystem through Parallels' shared folders (\\.PSF\.Mac\Volumes).
3. Map the iPhone "Media" folder to a Windows drive letter.
4. You're done.
Hei Eirik,
Var på leting etter en måte å putte inn mp3 sanger på iphonen uten bruk av itunes og fant bloggen din på google! Håper alt går bra :)
Mange takk for løsningen, skal prøve det ut senere.
Michael
What a total arse! how can this possibly deemed as useless. The only thing useless about this thread. All I want is a phone with some tunes on it and this is perfect. If I want to sync the rest of the crap bundled with the phone then I will use iTunes to do so, it is my choice as it is yours.
ATTENTION: If iTunes tells you that you must restore you iphone after trying this don't do that! Just try using MediaMonkey to sync your files. Not only does it work better than this, it also repairs whatever this method screws up on the newer iPhones!
-Adam
www.myspace.com/shipiboconibo
Anyone tried http://www.jscape.com/reddrive/ instead of sftpdrive? It's freeware. Probably it works as well!
great
a little tweaking and it works nice.
just need to reboot phone after sync.
many thanks
ps. glad to get rid of itunes..;)
For iPod Touch/iPhone, you need to go to
/User/Media
not what you said.
THEN it will work and appear in WInamp!
Hi everyone.
I've done all successfully except that winamp can't recognize the iphone, even after restarting.
The phone appears in My Computer and can also be browsed.
Any ideas?
this rocks, just awesome! because i am a windows xp 64-bit user, ppl that have the same os know what problem it is to install itunes on that os :) thank you so much
To solve the disappearance of music on device install latest version of itunes close it and run winamp. This should solve the problem
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