The iPod revived Apple’s fortunes, transforming the computer company from the brink of bankruptcy into a consumer electronics giant and laying the foundation for the revolutionary iPhone. Unveiled by the late and highly influential Apple CEO Steve Jobs in 2001, the first iPod promised “1,000 songs in your pocket” by packing them onto a 5GB compact hard drive. Just six years later, the same year as the iPhone’s launch, Apple celebrated the 100 millionth iPod sale. It was an impressive feat for a device whose lineup then included not only the iPod, but also the iPod Nano, which replaced the iPod Mini in 2005, and the clip-on iPod Shuffle, which some called “the last good iPod.” As it moved toward the iPhone, Apple gradually reduced its iPod lineup and, in 2022, retired the last iPod – the Touch – ending its largely successful iPod era.
It may be gone, but the iPod is clearly not forgotten. In fact, the device seems to be getting a second wind. Whether it’s tech-weary Gen Z breathing new life into old-school iPods, or modders keeping them alive through customization, used iPod sales have been on the rise. Refurbished electronics marketplace Back Market, for example, said it saw a notable 48% increase in iPod sales in 2025, compared to the previous year.
The Best Ways to Get an iPod
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It seems unlikely that Apple will ever relaunch the iPod, so anyone who wants one today will have to go down the old route. This almost certainly means diving into popular online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and eBay (perhaps avoid factory-sealed models in case they have an insane list price), or going to certified refurbished sellers like the previously mentioned Back Market. Some models that might be of interest include the final iPod Touch (7th generation, discontinued in 2022), the final iPod Classic (6th generation, discontinued in 2014), the final iPod Nano (7th generation, discontinued in 2017), and the final iPod Shuffle (4th generation, discontinued in 2017), as these newer versions have the best technology in each line.
You can also try sellers who specialize in vintage Apple products, some offering guarantees on purchases. In the United States, Florida-based iSuperStore has an online store where you can browse a range of iPod models, although it only ships domestically. Brick-and-mortar electronics stores with used sections may also have a few iPods in the display cases. Pawn shops, flea markets, retro game stores and music dealers sometimes carry them as well. Availability obviously varies by location, but iPods sometimes appear when people trade in or sell old or unwanted devices.
Finally, it might even be worth asking around. An older relative might have an iPod that hasn’t seen the light of day in years and, if you ask nicely, they might just be willing to give it to you.
Things to watch out for
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An important point to keep in mind is that iPods have an internal battery, which may not be in very good condition and therefore may not last very long – unless, of course, it is replaced at some point. You’ll have better luck with an online marketplace like Back Market, which guarantees that its iPod batteries can hold at least 85% of their original capacity. If you’re purchasing an iPod with the intention of getting a new battery yourself, be aware that Apple only services the 6th and 7th generation iPod Touches. Also be aware that if you plan to tackle the task yourself, the Classic, Nano, and Shuffle battery replacement procedures are rated “very difficult” by iFixit.
A hard drive failure can also be a problem, although it only affects the iPod Classic and iPod Mini, because other iPods use flash storage. The good news is that it is possible to insert a new hard drive into an iPod Classic, or better yet, replace it with a USB stick using an iFlash adapter. If you don’t feel like doing it yourself, there are services that will do it for you.
Finally, most iPods come without Bluetooth and therefore require wired headphones. The iPod Touch (2nd generation or later) and iPod Nano (7th generation) have Bluetooth, although it works more reliably with modern headphones from the iPod Touch 4th generation or later. You also need to own the audio files, so there’s no way to stream your music unless you’re an accomplished modder capable of making specific changes to the hardware and firmware yourself.
