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Choose your iPod model before pressing buttons: the restart procedure differs for iPod touch, nano, classic and shuffle. A force restart is intended to restart the device, not erase it; a computer Restore is different and erases an iPod touch.
Quick force-restart guide by iPod model
| Model | What to do | When to release or continue |
|---|---|---|
| iPod touch (7th generation) | Hold Top and Volume Down together. | At least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPod touch (6th generation and earlier) | Hold Top and Home together. | At least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPod nano (7th generation) | Hold Sleep/Wake and Home together. | Until the screen turns off; wait a few seconds for it to restart. |
| iPod nano (6th generation) | Hold Sleep/Wake and Volume Down together. | At least 8 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPod nano (5th generation and earlier) | Unlock Hold, then hold Menu and Center/Select together. | 8 seconds or until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPod classic | Unlock Hold, then hold Menu and Center/Select together. | 8 seconds or until the Apple logo appears. |
| iPod shuffle | Disconnect it from power and the computer, switch it off, wait, then switch it on. | Wait 10 seconds while it is off. |
These are Apple’s model-specific force-restart instructions. See Apple’s force-restart guide and, for shuffle, Apple’s shuffle instructions.
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Identify which iPod you have
Do not assume that “iPod” means iPod touch: the button combinations for Click Wheel models and shuffle are different.
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- iPod touch: A rectangular device with a touchscreen. The 6th generation and earlier have a physical Home button; the 7th generation uses Top and Volume Down for a force restart.
- iPod nano 7th generation: A small touchscreen iPod with a Home button.
- iPod nano 6th generation: A very small, square touchscreen with no physical Home button.
- Older nano and iPod classic: A Click Wheel and a Hold switch.
- iPod shuffle: A small device with no screen and a physical switch or controls.
If you are unsure, use Apple’s iPod model-identification and manuals index to check the model before following a button sequence.
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Force-restart your iPod using the model-specific steps
iPod touch (7th generation)
- Press and hold the Top button and Volume Down at the same time.
- Keep holding for at least 10 seconds.
- Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
Apple calls this the Top button; some people refer to it as the Sleep/Wake or power button. Follow the button names and sequence in Apple’s force-restart instructions.
iPod touch (6th generation and earlier)
- Press and hold the Top button and physical Home button simultaneously.
- Continue for at least 10 seconds.
- Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears.
This combination applies to iPod touch generations with a physical Home button.
iPod nano (7th generation)
- Press and hold Sleep/Wake and Home together.
- Keep holding until the screen turns off.
- Wait a few seconds for the nano to restart.
If it does not restart, connect it to power and try the combination again.
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- Press and hold Sleep/Wake and Volume Down together.
- Hold for at least 8 seconds, or until the Apple logo appears.
If the reset does not work, connect the nano to power and retry.
iPod nano (5th generation and earlier)
- Move the Hold switch firmly to the unlocked position.
- Press and hold Menu and Center/Select together.
- Continue for 8 seconds or until the Apple logo appears.
If the combination is awkward, place the iPod on a table. Press Center without touching the Click Wheel, and press Menu near the wheel’s outer edge.
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iPod classic
- Move Hold firmly to unlocked.
- Press and hold Menu and Center/Select at the same time.
- Continue for 8 seconds or until the Apple logo appears.
If needed, place the iPod on a flat surface and avoid touching the Click Wheel while pressing Center. Press Menu toward the wheel’s outer edge. Apple gives the same Menu-and-Center procedure for classic and older Click Wheel iPods in its force-restart guide.
iPod shuffle
- Disconnect the shuffle from its charger and computer.
- Switch it off. On models with a visible green indicator, green means the device is on.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Switch it on again.
This is a power-cycle rather than a screen-based button combination. Apple’s steps are at iPod shuffle won’t turn on or respond.
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A freeze can look like a screen stuck on one image, touch or physical buttons that do nothing, an unresponsive Click Wheel, or a device that will not shut down normally. An iPod stuck on the Apple logo or not recognized by a computer may also need further troubleshooting.
A black screen is less conclusive: the battery may be depleted, or the cable, charging port, display or other hardware may have failed. Do not treat the absence of an immediate Apple logo as proof that the restart failed.
When the logo appears, release the buttons. The normal lock screen or music interface should follow, although a very low battery can make startup take longer. A force restart is not designed to erase content and should not require setting up the iPod again. Once it is working, sync or back up anything important if you can. A restart cannot fix a failed battery, damaged storage, broken button, liquid damage or display fault.
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If the iPod still will not restart
- Check Hold on Click Wheel models. Move the switch fully to unlocked before trying Menu and Center.
- Connect it to power. Use a known-good cable, adapter and power source, and leave it charging before trying again. A fully discharged battery can make a working iPod look dead.
- Repeat the exact sequence for the model. Hold the buttons for the specified time; on Click Wheel models, avoid touching the wheel while pressing Center.
- Change the connection. Try a different compatible cable, charger, USB port or computer. A cable that charges but cannot transfer data may not be suitable for computer recovery or syncing.
- Look for physical problems. Check whether a button is stuck or damaged and whether the casing, screen or connector shows damage. Do not force buttons or open the iPod as a first troubleshooting step.
- If it is an iPod touch that still cannot boot, consider recovery mode. The recovery process below applies to iPod touch, not classic, nano or shuffle.
If the iPod turns on but the computer does not recognize it, test a different cable and USB port first. Persistent non-recognition can point to a connector, device or computer issue; it does not by itself establish that the iPod needs a Restore.
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Recovery mode may be needed if an iPod touch remains on the Apple logo for several minutes without a progress bar, displays a “Connect to computer” screen, is reported as being in recovery mode, or repeatedly enters Recovery Assistant without recovering.
Important: Force restarting is not the same as restoring. Choose Update first when the computer offers it. Apple says Restore reinstalls iOS and erases all data on the iPod touch.
Connect using the appropriate computer app
- On a current Mac, use Finder.
- On a Windows PC, use the Apple Devices app; use iTunes where Apple Devices is unavailable.
- On a Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier, use iTunes.
- Use a compatible USB cable.
Enter recovery mode
- Connect the iPod touch to the computer.
- 7th generation: Hold Top and Volume Down together until the “Connect to computer” recovery screen appears.
- 6th generation and earlier: Hold Home and Top together until the recovery screen appears.
- Open the iPod in Finder, Apple Devices or iTunes and follow the displayed options.
Choose Update or Restore
- Update: Try this first if offered and your aim is to reinstall iOS without immediately erasing the device.
- Restore: Use if Update fails or you accept erasing the iPod touch and reinstalling iOS. Apple states that Restore erases all data.
If the software download takes more than 15 minutes, the iPod may leave recovery mode. Let the download finish, then repeat the recovery-mode steps and select the available option. Apple’s current instructions are in If you can’t update or restore your iPod touch.
When to stop troubleshooting and seek service
Contact Apple Support or a qualified repair provider if the iPod never shows the Apple logo after charging and repeated correct attempts, a button is broken or stuck, the device becomes unusually hot, or the screen, casing, battery or connector appears physically or liquid damaged. For iPod touch, seek help if recovery mode cannot update or restore it. Persistent freezes immediately after restarting also suggest a problem beyond a temporary software lockup.
Service availability for discontinued iPods can depend on the model’s age, region, parts and condition. Check Apple Support or Apple repair information for current options rather than assuming every generation can be serviced.
Quick Recap
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