Findley Designs iPod Access Review

iPod Access 4.4.1 is simply too buggy to recommend. Sometimes it works fine, other times it works even though it doesn't appear to, and yet other times it doesn't work at all. Despite multiple tests, I haven't been able to determine what causes one outcome versus another. It's a solid app, but the bugs--and a lack of features even when it does work--add up to make it a poor choice.

Developer
Findley Designs

Version
4.4.1

Only Works Sporadically

Something happened during my testing of iPod Access that's never happened while I tested any other program: something that didn't work at all just started working, for no clear reason I can figure out.

I initially tested iPod Access on both Mac OS X and Windows 7, but found that no matter what I did, neither version would transfer more than 4 songs, despite my selecting 590 songs. This held true whether I was trying to back up to a folder, transfer to iTunes, or make a copy of the songs. The application would tell me that it had succeeded in transferring the songs very quickly but, when I checked iTunes, almost all of the songs hadn't transferred.

The app also didn't properly display the contents of the iPhone, iPod touch, or 6th generation iPod nano I connected to it. Instead, it would show that the device was connected, and I could transfer some songs, but I couldn't see the full list of them.

Given this, I was prepared to give iPod Access a 0-stars rating. But then I gave it one last chance. And it worked!

I have no idea why it worked. I didn't update iPod Access, hadn't updated my computer or charged settings, etc. I might have restarted my computer, but that doesn't seem to have been the major issue. I say that because, in my third attempt at testing the software (after it worked properly the second time), some of the original errors returned, including not being able to list the contents of the iPod touch or iPhone.

I'm not sure what accounts for these problems (though the program doesn't seem to have been updated since early 2010, which might have something to do with it) or how they solved themselves for a bit. Either way, it's been a frustrating experience.

When It Does Work

One of the most frustrating things about this experience is that when iPod Access does work, it's a solid program. It lacks some of the more advanced features that other programs have--transferring iBooks files, ringtones, photos, etc.--but for transferring music, it's solid.

During the period it was working, I was able to transfer 590 songs (2.41 GB of data) to iTunes in about 11 minutes, including all album artwork, playcounts, ratings, etc. That's pretty speedy.

Conclusions

Until iPod Access is updated to resolve these problems, I can't recommend it. If it is updated, and adds some additional features, it very well might be worth a look. If that update appears, I'll review it and let you know. In the meantime, I'd steer clear.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.