A re-fitted 6th gen iPod classic.

I aquired the iPod beginning of 2026 to again have a dedicated device for music. It was re-fitted with an 128GB SSD and after a long and annoying journey, I was able to install Rockbox on it. It provides an alternative firmware to bypass the need to use iTunes to put music on the device and allows for custom skins.

Shortcuts

Power Off: hold Play button for 3-4 seconds

Reboot: hold Menu+Select for 6 seconds

Disk Mode

To install Rockbox, the iPod must be in disk mode. Unplug the iPod, reboot the device and when the screen turns black press Select+Play until you see the disk mode screen. Now plug the iPod back in.

Links

Player
A no-name MP3 player with it's cheap plastic case removed.

Update 2025: After switching back to a smartphone, I replaced the music player with an iPod.

Update 2022: The player broke in a way that I couldn't fix it anymore. My phone replaced its function.

I seldomly listen to music when I'm moving around the city as I don't like one of my main sensory functions to be blocked from the environment. I do however love to listen to music while cleaning the apartment, especially when doing the dishes, which is where my player is used the most.

It uses a tiny 25x20x5mm 180mAh LiPo battery with 3.7 Volt that I replaced once.

The player was bought second hand for 2 Euros.

Replacing the battery.

incoming(1) | player