iPod is a great device for listening songs. Well, iPod can store song’s then why cannot we use it to store data! Yes, we can use our iPod as a hard disk to store data. Actually, every iPod has this feature we just need to adjust settings. This is very easy and can be done within few steps. After you have changed the settings, you can use your iPod as any other storage device, copy files to or from your iPod. You can use iPod as a hard disk on any computer Macs or Pcs.

Process for setting your iPod mini as a hard disk:

1) Connect iPod to the computer as you usually do to transfer songs. iTunes should open automatically, if not open iTunes. From the source list, select the iPod after that click on iPod options. iTunes preference tab will open.

2) In the iTunes preference tab, if you have selected Manually manage songs and playlists, your iPod is already set to use as a hard disk. If you do not want iTunes to open up every time you connect your iPod then uncheck the Open iTunes when this iPod is attached. This setting does not automatically update songs and playlists.

3) To automatically update songs and playlists while using your iPod as a hard disk then you have to select the Automatically update all songs and playlists and check Enable disk use and click OK. Now your iPod is automatically synchronized and you can use it has a hard disk.

Process for setting your iPod shuffle as a hard disk:

While all other iPods allows using some or all the space available to store data, you need to choose how much space you want to allot for songs and data. To set iPod shuffle as a hard disk open iPod preference tab and check Enable disk use. With the help of the slider bar, you can choose how much space you want to reserve for songs versus data.

After you have finished above steps you can copy files to iPod by accessing iPod form My computer in windows or Finder in Mac. You can copy files from or to iPod as the same way, you do to copy data on any other device.

You need to be careful to eject the device after you have done with file transferring. This is done like any other external storage device you may have used. In the Mac system you will find eject button next to the iPod icon, click on it before you disconnect iPod from the system. Windows users click on the safely Remove Hardware icon that is present in the system tray a dialog box opens up. In the dialog box, select iPod and click stop to remove iPod from the computer.

To use iPhone or iPod Touch as a hard disk, you can use some applications that are free to download and use.

Discover this is a freeware from the Apple store that enables you to use your iPhone as an external wireless hard disk.

Briefcase Lite this is another application from the house of Apple, which is also free. Briefcase is a paid application while Briefcase Lite is free alternative. This application also gives you the freedom of file transfer like discover.

There are many third party applications are also available on the net, which are not recommended by the Apple Store.