Suddenly only Apple earphones will work - why

Question

Level 1

4 points

Suddenly only Apple earphones will work - why

I have been happily using my iPod nano 8th gen with JBL wired earphones for many years. Suddenly, literallty overnight a few weeks ago, they stopped working - volume was almost silent. I have tried different earphones and also my old ipod but neither produce sound except with the apple earphones that came with my phone which are very uncomfortable to wear and have a horrible bass sound unsuitable for listening to speech. I can't believe it is a coincidence that both my ipods, which both work perfectly, suddenly don't work with non apple earphones. What is going on?

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Sep 26, 2025 7:25 AM

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Answer 1

Carol B.

Level 6

17,855 points

Sep 26, 2025 7:41 AM in response to Puddlyone

That iPod Nano is very old and is no longer supported by Apple. From what you describe, it sounds like JBL has also stopped supporting it and the suddenness could simply be due to a behind the scene update from JBL. The nano may just finally be too old. Apple cannot help here. You may want to try contacting JBL.

Edit: JBL offers instruction on how to manually pair its Bluetooth to another device. Perhaps that will help.

https://support.jbl.com/us/en/howto/bluetooth-pairing-connecting-us/000017785.html

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Answer 2

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

60,884 points

Sep 26, 2025 7:41 AM in response to Puddlyone

There have been no updates to the iPod nano in a VERY long time that would have changed any behavior that had anything to do with a change by Apple.

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