Use the USB cable to connect your iPod to your computer. Depending on your settings, this may launch iTunes and/or sync your iPod. If iTunes does not launch, open it now

Sync your iPod to the computer (if that didn’t happen as part of step 1). This creates a backup of your data. You probably won’t need this (though it’s always a good idea to back up regularly!), but if something goes wrong with the upgrade, you’ll be glad you have it

Click the iPod icon in the top left corner of iTunes, just beneath the playback controls

Click Summary in the left-hand column

In the center of the Summary screen, the box at the top includes a couple of pieces of useful data. First, it shows what version of the operating system you’re currently running. Then it says whether that version is the latest operating system or if there’s a software update available. If a new version is available, click Update. If you think there’s a new version, but it’s not showing up here, you can also click Check for Update

Depending on your computer and its settings, different pop-up windows may appear. They’re likely to ask you to enter your computer’s password (on a Mac) or confirm that you want to download and install the software. Follow these instructions

The operating system update is downloaded to your computer and then installed on your iPod. You shouldn’t have to do anything during this step except wait. How long it takes will depend on the speed on your Internet connection and your computer, and the size of the iPod update

After the update is installed, your iPod will automatically restart. When it’s started up again, you’ll have an iPod running the latest operating system.