▲ 20 r/ipod
Sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn. Either way, life goes on.
Reviving old iPods isn’t always easy, especially when you’re from a middle-class family.
Every restoration takes time, patience, and money. Hunting for genuine parts, replacing batteries, fixing drives, polishing housings, and troubleshooting unexpected problems—it all adds up. There are moments when I ask myself, “Is all this effort really worth it?”
Maybe yes. Maybe not.
But then I hold a finished iPod in my hands, hear that familiar click wheel, and watch it come back to life after years of being forgotten. In that moment, the answer doesn’t really matter.
For many of us, these aren’t just music players. They’re memories, a piece of history, and a reminder of a simpler time when listening to music felt more personal.
I’m grateful that I had the chance to experience these incredible devices, and even more grateful to be part of this amazing community that keeps them alive.
Thank you to everyone who repairs, restores, collects, shares knowledge, and encourages others. Every restored iPod is one less piece of technology lost to time.
Happy to be part of the iPod revolution.
Thank you, everyone.
u/iPodxp — 1 month ago
▲ 5 r/ipod
My Guide to Buying Old & Used iPods as Cheaply as Possible.- from a perspective of an 🇮🇳.
After collecting and repairing iPods for quite a while, I thought I’d share where I’ve personally found the best deals. Hopefully this helps fellow collectors save some money.
1. Best place for iPod Classics, Shuffles, Minis & Nanos
My first recommendation is u/abbas8811.
Reddit profile:
https://www.reddit.com/u/abbas8811/s/VIHm9mNHEG
He’s based in India and has been my go-to person for affordable iPods. In my experience, he regularly has:
• iPod Shuffle
• iPod Mini
• iPod Classic 5th, 6th & 7th Gen
• Occasionally 3rd & 4th Gen Classics
• iPod Nano models
As an example, I bought a cosmetically decent iPod Video 5.5 Gen (30GB) with the original battery still giving around 4–5 hours of playback for about US$69. which I think is an excellent deal.
If you’re looking for affordable used iPods, I’d definitely recommend reaching out to him.
And prices will go down with more damage.
2. Best place for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Generation Classics
For early-generation Classics, I’ve consistently found the best prices on Japanese marketplaces.
My recommendations are:
• Buyee
• ZenMarket
• Sendico
Japan is also one of the best places to find:
• Sealed iPods
• Rare color variants
• Limited edition models
• Gold-plated novelty iPods
3. Buying Parts
Alibaba (best for bulk)
If you’re in India and don’t mind buying in quantity, Alibaba is usually the cheapest option.
The downside is that most sellers have a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of around 10 pieces or more.
Chinese sellers I’ve purchased from:
https://x.alibaba.com/18Mt6W?ck=minisite
https://x.alibaba.com/18Mt6d?ck=minisite
(Funny story: I ordered 5 Nano batteries from the second seller and only received 4… I’m still waiting for battery #5 😅)
AliExpress (best for smaller orders)
If you’re outside India, AliExpress is generally the better option.
Just make sure to:
• Check seller ratings.
• Read recent reviews.
• Avoid listings with poor feedback.
I’ve received some excellent batteries and parts, but I’ve also received a few that weren’t up to standard, so buy carefully.
4. My Battery Recommendation
This is at your own risk, but one of the cheapest solutions I’ve found is using a compatible lithium battery from an iPhone or Nokia with similar dimensions and transferring the original iPod battery’s BMS/protection board onto the new cell.
It works well when done correctly, but it involves lithium battery work, so I only recommend it if you’re experienced and understand the risks.
5. USA Parts Seller
For anyone in the US, this eBay seller has been excellent in my experience, especially for:
• 1st & 2nd Gen screens
• Front housings
• Click wheels
I haven’t purchased hard drives from them, so I can’t comment on those.
https://www.ebay.com/usr/ertiigill?\_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l49544
6. 3rd Generation Parts
I’m still trying to relocate the seller I previously used for 3rd Gen Classic parts.
I’ll update this post once I find them again.
I’ll continue updating this thread with more trusted sellers for accessories, replacement parts, hard drives, batteries, and other useful resources as I come across them.
If anyone has other reliable sources, feel free to share them below. Happy collecting!
u/iPodxp — 1 month ago
▲ 25 r/ipod
iPod Classic 1st gen(my daily driver)
I know some people may not like the modifications I’ve made to my 1st Gen iPod Classic, and that’s completely fair. But I wanted to clarify one thing—the stickers aren’t applied directly to the iPod itself. They’re placed on a very thin laminated sheet, so the original body isn’t affected or damaged in any way.
For me, this iPod is more than just a collectible. My entire collection feels like a blessing from God, and I’ve decided to dedicate my 1st Gen iPod to my library of divine and spiritual music. I customized it a little to match that aesthetic while still keeping the original hardware protected.
And yes, despite its age, it’s actually one of my daily drivers. There’s something special about listening to spiritual music on a piece of tech that has so much history.
♥️
u/iPodxp — 1 month ago