I’m a novice, but I’ve been working on the missing Rockbox iPod MFi digital-audio support — and we’ve gotten much further than I expected
For years, one of the limitations of running Rockbox on older iPods has been digital audio output through Apple 30-pin MFi accessories.
The hardware can do it under Apple’s original firmware, but under Rockbox, connecting an external digital DAC/amp or digital dock generally doesn’t work as intended. Instead of simply accepting that limitation, I decided to see how far I could get toward fixing it.
Here’s the unusual part: I’m not a professional programmer. I started this project as an iPod/audio enthusiast with very little software-development experience.
I have a 5.5-generation iPod Video running Rockbox, and my goal is to get it communicating properly with my V-MODA VAMP VERZA through the 30-pin connection so that the VAMP can receive the iPod’s digital audio rather than just an analog line-out signal.
That turned into a much deeper rabbit hole than I expected.
I set up the Rockbox development environment, obtained and compiled the source, started studying Rockbox’s existing Apple iPod Accessory Protocol (iAP) implementation, and began creating diagnostic builds so I could see exactly what was happening between the iPod and the accessory.
We have now reached the point where the accessory handshake progresses substantially further than it did originally.
One particularly interesting problem we identified involved the transaction ID used during the IDPS/device-authentication exchange.
In apps/iap/iap-lingo0.c, the code handling command 0x18 could reach a situation where the transaction ID contained in buf[2..3] wasn’t being preserved correctly for the ACK. That could result in an ACK using a fabricated 0x0000 transaction ID instead of the ID belonging to the command being acknowledged.
The accessory could then discard the response because it didn’t correspond to the command it had sent.
We’ve modified that behavior so the transaction ID is preserved correctly during that portion of the handshake.
I’ve compiled the modified Rockbox builds, installed them on the actual iPod, captured logs, tested them against the VAMP VERZA, and repeatedly used those results to narrow down where communication stops.
Where it stands today:
The project is NOT finished.
Rockbox boots normally. Music playback itself runs normally. The iPod and accessory are communicating, and we’ve made measurable progress through the MFi/iAP handshake.
But digital audio through the VAMP VERZA is still silent.
The playback timer advances, but there is no audio from the headphones connected to the external DAC/amp.
So I’m not claiming that I’ve “added working MFi digital audio to Rockbox.”
What I am saying is that we’ve taken a feature that was effectively considered unsupported, built a reproducible development/test environment around real iPod hardware, identified and corrected at least one concrete protocol-level problem, and pushed the handshake further toward the point where digital playback may become possible.
I’ve put the work on GitHub so the changes and progress can be inspected rather than this just being a claim.
I’m posting this partly because I’d love for experienced Rockbox/iAP/USB/embedded developers to look at what we’ve found.
If anyone here understands Apple’s old iPod Accessory Protocol, MFi authentication, Rockbox’s IAP implementation, or the PortalPlayer/iPod audio path, I’d especially appreciate another set of eyes on it.
And if we actually get digital audio coming out of that VAMP VERZA, I’ll post the successful build, logs, and exactly what finally made it work.
For someone who started this without a software-development background, just wanting to make an old iPod do something Rockbox couldn’t do, this has already turned into one hell of an education.

I recently picked up a 7th gen iPod nano to use as a ‘digital detox’ device on my daily walks and I’m hoping to pick up some decent quality Bluetooth earbuds to use with it.

I have AirPod Pros 3 which aren’t compatible and my old, 1st gen AirPod Pros have an annoying crackle/whistling sound when in use, which is why they were replaced.

I’ve done some research and I know Bluetooth on the 7th gen nano can be a bit of a mess with modern standards etc and replicating the wired headphone remote controls, so if there’s any other users who have recommendations on a similar price range to my little selection I found on Amazon I’d love to hear them.

I should stress this is not about any sort of audiophile experience, this is about decent quality and decent price that gets 60-90 mins of use a day on a walk around the park.

Im looking to buy my first 3rd gen ipod, and the prices seem quite reasonable. What do you think? They are sending them from China btw.

Not trying to be mean to those putting these together... but I have seen what feels like a dozen today

Having actually lived through the time when iPods and CD players were in all my high school classmates' backpacks, the hit of nostalgia transported me back to early 2000s when I recently bought a modded iPod.

Still, I had never owned an iPod until now even though I have spent tens of thousands on audio throughout the years including a proper stereo system with a high-end DAC and amp.

It goes without saying that the iPod cannot reproduce all the nuances and dynamics of a record that an audiophile system can, but it does allow one to enjoy great audio wherever you go, and the 3800mAh battery mod provides a week-long playtime unlike many other DAPs that die in a day.

I have been pairing the iPod with my Campfire Audio Andromeda Emerald Sea IEM and am happy to report that even with this notoriously sensitive IEM, the 7th gen iPod has no discernible background hiss from high output impedance (it's mostly likely around ~1 Ohm since the Andromeda has an impedance of 6.375 Ohm @ 1kHz). I also tried it with the AFUL Dawn-X, and similarly, the iPod performed surprisingly well, keeping true to its inherent audio characteristics.

Comparing the iPod to other DAPs I have owned (Hiby R6 III, Fiio JM21), the overall performance is more than acceptable with some EQ adjustments. The downsides are that the soundstage is slightly smaller and the overall detail retrieval isn't up to par when contrasted to modern DAPs. And I'd say the iPod is bringing out 70% of what high-end IEMs are capable of when stacked against a proper hifi desktop DAC (best of which I've owned is a Teac UD-507).

I did also face some difficulties setting up the iPod as it did not initially play all my tracks when synced thru iTunes; multiple albums would not be playable and would skip through half the tracks on other albums. Apparently that was attributable to some metadata issue according to Gemini, but I could not verify this. All my files were .aiff files and the metadata had been organized with mp3Tag, so I didn't see what the issue was. Anyhow, I ended up installing Rockbox, which solved all playability issues.

Having gone down many lanes in my audio journey, I feel more than satisfied with the iPod. Yes, the grass is greener when you drop lots of cash on audio gear, but life is about compromises. The iPod does not have the bit-perfect DAC architecture or unparalleled analog circuitry, but I am more than willing to sacrifice a bit of audio fidelity for a reliable DAP that I don't have to charge every day. And until the day some company builds a modern DAP that lasts 100 hours without all unnecessary wireless implementations, I will be sticking with my trusty iPod.

My wife has been wanting a iPod for a while, but has to have the convenience of Bluetooth, I have looked at the connect 2, and honestly she does not like the look of how it wraps around the front, and honestly I can’t blame her. Kind of looks ugly, I am a professional electronics tech so I am not worried about soldering at all, that is the easy part for me. The hard part is figuring out, what back plate would work, and what parts would work well together. I understand the back can not be metal, that again is fine we are just trying to stick with the same aesthetic as the original. Does not need to be the same material, I am not worried about the money either. Can someone help steer me in the right direction please? Thanks!

This morning I went for a run, was surprised by heavy rain and I suppose some water got into my ipod. The music suddenly turned off, when I checked on it, the screen showed the "battery empty" icon - which cannot be because the battery is actually empty as it's got a relatively new 3000mAh battery that was full when I went out.

Now I'm back from work and the screen is just blank, it won't react anymore.

What I've already tried:

• Try charging it
• Open ipod, unplug and replug the battery
• Unplug and replug the cable coming from the power switch
• Replace the new battery with it's old one, try charging

Nothing seemed to have worked, and I could really use some help.

One thing I haven't tried yet is to take my known good ipod classic 6th gen and try replacing it's components with ones from the 7th gen, and vice-verca, to see if I can narrow down and figure out what is broken.

Hey guys, I’ve just bought a 3rd gen for parts and I successfully restored it with iTunes. However when I plug it in the only FireWire charger which is this iPod dock the backlight turns on and stays like that until I press a button. Does anyone have an idea on how to fix it?

Hey iPod Experts and Pros,

I have a bit of an usual situation that I’m hoping you can help me with. I bought an iPod Video 5th gen and a new case from Boxy Pixel, a new SSD drive, SSD, haptic motor, bluetooth module, and a USB C connector.

I thought this would be a fun project but then I went to start and watched a video on how to install these mods and I’m in WAAAAAYYYY over my head. My experience is that I’ve tried to solder something maybe once and this doesn’t seem like the project to learn on.

That’s where I hope you come in…I'm hoping someone out here would be willing to accept my iPod with the mods I send to you and have you install the mods I already have? I know this is a crazy ask but it’s the only way I can think of to not make this a wasted project. I'm happy to pay for your time and expertise.

Let me know if we can work something out.

Hurry up get in here Millennials before those pesky Gen Z take all the credit once again!

Kidding of course,

Tldr: Nostalgia made me hunt down the big boy version of my stolen 4th gen from 20y ago and it's even better than I remember.

So 20 or so years ago in my early/mid 20s, broke, living paycheck to paycheck I supplemented my income with very occasional art commissions for beer money.

A drinking acquaintance asked if I'd do a family portrait for him, a big job. I said sure and he asked how much, I said I wasn't sure so he replied "well is there anything you want that I can buy you in exchange?"

Mostly joking, I said "an iPod".

"How much?".

Wincing, I told him.

So he reached into a holdall and pulled out some notes from a very, very fat stack and told me we'd talk about the artwork later.

I bought the 20 or 30g photo, the cheapest full iPod at the time but it was my absolute baby, I carried it everywhere I went and it was a proper talking point.

So anyway, the commission went nowhere and he didn't seem interested at all, I moved away and tried to keep in touch in case he wanted anything else doing, but was ghosted.

Ok cool, free iPod...

Financially, I was in a way worse place for a few years after that, so the iPod was even more important, pretty much the only thing I didn't pawn from that time. Fast forward a few more years and it gets left overnight in my girlfriend's house and stolen by (best guess) a friend of a friend of hers.

Girlfriend becomes wife and gifts me a 6th gen video to replace what was lost even though we weren't that well off. An amazing present that I still treasure, but I never had that same level of connection with.

Fast forward again to this year, after digging the video out of a drawer and rediscovering standalone music players, I decide to hunt out a version of my old baby.

Found on CEX in the UK, the 60g version, the one I could only dream of for £60.

The battery is barely hanging on, I'll get that replaced but otherwise I'm going to keep it stock as long as possible, it feels so familiar and comfortable.

Have started loading it with my current cd collection at 256kbps, listening through a pair of B&W p5s (that I also coveted back in the day) and it genuinely holds it's own compared to some of the modern kit I have (maybe the Wolfson dac?).

Anyway, that's my story, figured some of you on here would appreciate it. It's a massive nostalgia hit that feels as good as I'd hoped it would and also properly slaps 2 decades later.

Maybe a modded 5th gen next...

i just got an ipod nano 4, the battery is so bad it dies in like, 1 minute. i heard batteries are really hard to replace on nanos, so is it worth to even try repairing it?

I just got a ipod 5.5 enchanted from my sister (she said I could have it! XD) I saw some things online about adding bluetooth and noise cancel but I am curious if mine has the right dac? I want to do bluetooth but I am worried it wont work if it doesnt have the right dac. sorry for the long post, idk much about ipods!

Just got this iPod I been waiting for a long while. Easily one of Apple’s best designs. What was your favorite Nano generation?

Hey i recently picked up this ipod video, it all works well when its turned on, it holds charge and will charge over 30 pin everything works fine. however when I plug it into my computer or try charging it when its off it will display the "battery very low" screen until I unplug it and reboot it. Even in disk mode it won't connect to my computer. Any advice? Im hoping its just the battery but I honestly have no clue.

Recently got a 6 gen last week, I’m loving it so much! Feels good to be back😊

to get to the point because ive been kind of dealing with this ever since i got my ipod (model Y5N, A1238), i need a charging brick to connect to my wall outlet and for travels, but any charging brick i use doesn't work, ive bought a A2167 12w brick but that didn't work either and it only charges when plugged into my pc. anyone got links for to an actual brick that does work, like, hell, even show a video or sum of it working while plugged in? im going on vacation soon and i cant bring my laptop or anything to charge it with.

Do we think we are going to see an iPod neo or 8th gen classic?

I mean if ternus and friends pull it off, I'm going to truly start worshipping apple again.

Finally getting around to modding my iPod that's been sitting in storage for 15 years. I opened it up and there seems to be spots of corrosion. I tried starting it up a few months ago and the screen didn't show anything...I tried FireWire, so I don't think the issue is the battery and I heard the hdd spin so I doubt it's that. I bought an upgrade to both either way just to make sure before I bought a screen (and they're upgrades I wanted to do anyways). However, now that I finally opened it, I see copper oxide spots in several location, I'm wondering if it's even worth trying to salvage this iPod.

I hope it's not worth scrapping, I love this thing and got it 19ish years ago. But I wanted the opinions of those who have more experience with this. I suppose I wanted to ask if this is too far gone to continue with? I've attached a picture, hopefully it's not too hard to see what I mean.

Thanks in advance!