iPod no longer works with Sequoia

I have two older iPod models (a Classic 5th gen and a Nano gen 3). Both worked fine under Sonoma running on my Mac mini M1. (including sync to the Music app).


Since the Sequoia upgrade, they will not connect to my Mac via USB. The Finder will recognize the device, but states that the device could not be read, and that I should click "Restore" to restore the device to factory settings. Unfortunately, the attempt to factory restore the iPod doesn't work either.


Anyone else seeing this issue? I hate to have to keep an older Mac around just to sync these devices.

Posted on Feb 19, 2025 8:34 PM

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Posted on Feb 20, 2025 2:21 PM

Yes, I know these devices are old. But they worked fine until Sequoia. Sequoia evidently still has the features in both the Finder and the and the Music app to recognize those devices. Something changed, though, that prevents these features from reading the devices. If Apple was going to remove support for these devices, then they should have removed those iPod features and made a note. I suspect though that some other change has been made (security related, perhaps) that wasn't regression tested. (they did this once before -- in Ventura, I think -- where iPod connectivity was lost, but returned in a subsequent update).


Yes, I know that these devices don't owe me anything. We can discuss how relevant they are. I would submit, though that they're more usable as digital music players than the other technologies that you reference that have been obsoleted. (but in case you haven't noticed, vinyl LPs are making a comeback - they have sonic advantages over the "over-processed and compressed" digital music formats we see today).


But the iPod is still a very usable digital music player It's still compatible with digital audio formats available from almost every source (such as MP3 and AAC format). It has the advantage of being a totally stand-alone device, not requiring cellular or network connectivity. That means they can be used almost anywhere. Sync music, plug in speakers or headphones, and listen away.


They also provide an alternative to using a smartphone as a player. I don't have to worry about battery drain or storage space on my phone just to play music.


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Feb 20, 2025 2:21 PM in response to James Brickley

Yes, I know these devices are old. But they worked fine until Sequoia. Sequoia evidently still has the features in both the Finder and the and the Music app to recognize those devices. Something changed, though, that prevents these features from reading the devices. If Apple was going to remove support for these devices, then they should have removed those iPod features and made a note. I suspect though that some other change has been made (security related, perhaps) that wasn't regression tested. (they did this once before -- in Ventura, I think -- where iPod connectivity was lost, but returned in a subsequent update).


Yes, I know that these devices don't owe me anything. We can discuss how relevant they are. I would submit, though that they're more usable as digital music players than the other technologies that you reference that have been obsoleted. (but in case you haven't noticed, vinyl LPs are making a comeback - they have sonic advantages over the "over-processed and compressed" digital music formats we see today).


But the iPod is still a very usable digital music player It's still compatible with digital audio formats available from almost every source (such as MP3 and AAC format). It has the advantage of being a totally stand-alone device, not requiring cellular or network connectivity. That means they can be used almost anywhere. Sync music, plug in speakers or headphones, and listen away.


They also provide an alternative to using a smartphone as a player. I don't have to worry about battery drain or storage space on my phone just to play music.


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Mar 31, 2025 6:41 PM in response to apple__username

I use a new, licensed, iPod classic as part of my live performance setup ... Playing break music between sets. Yes, I'm old. 77 currently and I still perform as a single or duo act (with a Lady singer). I have been a full time, professional guitarist and singer for over 50 years. Mostly in the Northern Nevada casino scene. I use backing tracks that I create in my own studio, and my current studio setup is quite up to date. I've been using Macs since 1992, starting with OS6. My current rig is a 2023 MacBook Pro, with the M3 chip, 2 TB storage, 36G RAM, and I currently own and use Reason 13 as my DAW software. (if you wish to hear or view my work, go to rfrankjones.com) I'm trying to update my iPod contents to add the new tracks I'm using for part of my live act, aside from my performance tracks. I have just given in to moving up from Sonoma to Sequoia, and this with not being able to make the iPod work with Sequoia has totally destroyed the iPod. Sonoma worked fine ... you people at Apple have completely forgotten the Purpose of Macintosh computers starting with OSX. We were always able to set up and work our desktops to suit our personal wishes and styles.


[Edited by Moderator]

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Mar 11, 2025 9:12 PM in response to James Brickley

The main use for an older iPod in 2025 is the same as it would have been in 2001, playing music.


Primarily, playing my music. Not the music on someone else's computer through a cloud service. Not whichever version of the track Apple wants to supply today instead of the track I purchased on iTunes in 2004.


There are in fact people out there who are sick of paying the same price as buying an album every month, and finding that their "favorites" will "randomly" vanish from "library" if not played often enough. People tired of saving a playlist with 100 carefully curated tracks, only to open it five years later and see that it mysteriously contains now only 30 of those tracks.


These are things that don't happen with a "plain old fashioned iPod."

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Mar 15, 2025 5:55 PM in response to PERockwell

I am also having this issue with my iPod 3rd gen after installing Sequoia where it does not show in Apple Music.

It seems it will sync the iPod just once after a laborious restart but then will not recognize it - that is not good. My music library and iPod are the major reason I have my Mac Mini so I am very interested in the solution. It seems like an issue that can be fixed - if Apple focuses on fixing it.

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Feb 20, 2025 12:44 PM in response to PERockwell

This response is tongue in cheek, humor. No offense is intended.


Gen-Z: What is an iPod? 🤣


Seriously, the iPod devices mentioned are approximately between 11 & 17 years old. I think you got your monies worth. Music has evolved from record players to reel to reel tape to 8-track to cassette tapes then compact discs to MP3 / MP4 players and now to streaming.


Can you elaborate more about how you use these iPods from yesteryear? I can't imagine the battery life to be all that great considering their age. There are a variety of alternative options. But before I offer suggestions. I'd like to know more about how you have been using the iPods in greater detail. That will help me focus on the alternatives that may be able to fill the void.



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Mar 12, 2025 3:26 PM in response to PERockwell

I have the same problem with an iPod nano 3rd gen and an iPod nano 7th gen.


Finder will show the iPod but won't sync but tells me to restore to factory settings. Once started to restore the grey loading bar won't disappear. Cancelling the loading screen makes it show "Software : loading ... " . Nothing seems to happen. Everything unresponsive.



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Mar 25, 2025 4:48 AM in response to PERockwell

It can be done. Start the restore process. When it looks like the iPod has given up restart your Mac with the iPod still plugged in. After restart do not unmount the iPod disk on the desktop. Open the Music.app and you should be right to go. Uncheck the "Enable Disk Use" & "Manually manage ..." It probably won't make any difference the iPod disk will still mount but yer whatever.

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Mar 31, 2025 7:05 PM in response to R. Frank Jones

Frank It can be done. Start the restore process. When it looks like the iPod has given up restart your Mac with the iPod still plugged in. After restart do not unmount the iPod disk on the desktop. Open the Music.app and you should be right to go. Uncheck the "Enable Disk Use" & "Manually manage ..." It probably won't make any difference the iPod disk will still mount but yer whatever.

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Apr 1, 2025 3:52 AM in response to green19

For whatever reason, my 2 iPod 3rd gens are both being recognized and working correctly with Sequoia/Music now. No restarts needed. I can’t say that I did anything special to get them to work except for repeatedly trying for about 8 days in a row, so I’m afraid I can’t be helpful with advice.

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Apr 1, 2025 11:43 AM in response to Jonathan Milenko

Sooooo...... 'Twould seem we are all voices in the dark ... destined to helplessly shout at the uncaring winds of Job's and Wozniak's wet dream. I suppose after a sufficient wait my iPod will once again begin to work. Won't be the first time ... doubt it will be the last, either. Sort of like the fact that I'm currently logged in to this page even though Apple refuses to acknowledge the password I gave it to get here. Unless ... that wiggle of the password icon that indicates non-acceptance, is now a wiggle of orgiastic joy??? Any thoughts out there??


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iPod no longer works with Sequoia

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