Modding An iPod For The First Time

Modifying an iPod Classic 5.5 (5th Gen Enhanced) with iFlash Quad, a 3000 mAh battery, and 512G SD Cards!
How to Identify Your iPod Classic: support.apple.com/en-us/103823
iFlash: www.iflash.xyz
Elite Obsolete Electronics: eoe.works
3000mAh Battery (Thick): “LG 385872 3000mAh” eoe.works/collections/ipod-vi...
EOE KZbin Channel: www.youtube.com/@EliteObsolet...
DankPods KZbin Channel: www.youtube.com/@DankPods/videos
Complete Extended Capacity Battery & iFlash Guide: • Complete Extended Capa...
DankPods “How to fix every iPod Classic.” : • How to fix every iPod ...
iFlash Troubleshooting Guide: www.iflash.xyz/troubleshootin...
0:00 Why I Bought an iPod in 2024
0:58 Why The 5.5 Generation iPod
3:06 Why Mod Your iPod
4:02 What I'm Upgrading
9:08 Modding Preparations
9:35 Dissembling The iPod
11:29 Removing The Hard Drive
12:38 Removing The Battery
13:10 Installing The iFlash Quad
14:31 Installing The New 3000 mAh Battery
15:25 Setting Up and Restoring The iPod
18:30 Testing
19:18 Reassembling The iPod
22:40 Confirming New Storage Size
23:00 Conclusion
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[@JohnSmithYoutube]

Just done it to a 30gb 5th gen, new battery and an iFlash + 200GB SD card. Holy moly is it good sound quality and loud. Brilliant bit of kit!

[@macrusdidsmth]

I started screaming when u nearly ripped the headphone jack connector 😂 Cool mod tho

[@DJSekuHusky]

I dumpster-dive a lot and I found a box with 6 of these. 3x Black 30GB slim models, 1x white 30GB slim model, 1x Black 80GB model (wide model), and 1x 6th Gen (Aluminum face) slim 80GB. Only 1 of the 30GB black 5.5th gens sort of works but freezes up randomly. The rest either have failed drives or batteries from what I can tell. So stoked to try this. Thanks for posting!

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for the comment! That’s a great find! Hope you’re able to revive them all! Please keep us updated!

[@Long_May_They_Raine]

It’s cool to see this getting a resurgence!! I’ve been hunting down some “seventh gen” classics, in hopes to make myself a 512 gb full purple mod! This is super cool!

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for stopping by. Best of luck on your search! Please keep us updated!

[@rainy5517]

Omg same! A purple one and red ❤ Happy modding

[@Long_May_They_Raine]

Updating: I have almost everything I need! My soldering tools came today, last component I need is a flash card!

[@HieronymusChockvivantvanit]

Wow! I'm doing this. I bought two 160 Gb iPod Classics when Apple discontinued them. But my library has grown and doesn't fit in 160 Gb. I bought an iPod touch with more memory, but my library has outgrown that as well. And the iPod Touch interface is sucky. It has a lot of silly features I don't want. Radio? I haven't listened to radio since the 70's. It's always trying to push Apple streaming or iTunes store media on me. The battery can barely get me through a 3 hour plane ride. This is awesome!

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for the comment! I’m glad the video helped! Here are some more useful info to consider: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2rIqKt8fK5rpqs Also, here’s a test I did of the 3,000mAh and 3,800mAh batteries: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZqyo4aVha2CqMU Help you’ll find these useful! Cheers!

[@gcanaday1]

Im doing this shortly with my 4th gen. I've been looking at 5th, too. I really like the form factor and that there are so many different shells available.

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for sharing, best of luck with the mod! Please keep us updated!

[@Soundbrigade]

Been to and fro struggling with my Gen6 and finally wondered if I could use Termite to open the darn thing up, but it only took a kitchen knife to finally let the genie out. Next step is to disassemble the rest; much how to open the connectors. And finally order a new screen, a backplate, a frontplate and a board for SD-cards, and maybe a new battery, though I have one spare. While ordering front- and backplates, some crazy colours would be nice. AliExpress will supply the hard hardware, though choices of colours are a bit limited, but I get things duty- and VAT-free (actually not, but hazzle-free) to Sweden. The electronics, however will be order from OEO. As I commented on the other video, these videos are great. As a rookie you do pay a lot of attention to details any experienced upgrader miss, and details that are important to avoid mistakes and ruining critical details.

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for taking the time to write! Looks like you picked one of the toughest generations to open. I admire your persistence! Please keep us updated on your project!

[@Soundbrigade]

@@iamalexsun Many comments are useful as well. I got my iPod before I knew of all the options to upgrade and knowing that Gen5 had a better DAC, the only (and cheapest) one I could find in Sweden was a Gen6.

[@RyanNiemer]

Finally got mine all in today! New storage and new battery installed!

[@iamalexsun]

Congrats! How many songs are you putting on it? ;)

[@RyanNiemer]

@@iamalexsun just a couple thousand so far lol. The only "issue" after the mods: It doesn't make the click noise anymore, which, I'm kind of ok with to be honest

[@2mustange]

I have the same kit for a Gen 6. I never got it to work. I need to look back into that. But i see there is a kit now for bluetooth and USB-C, Moonlit Connect. Might try that as well as that would modernize everything for me

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for the comment! That kit you mentioned is a bit pricy imo. You could get a decent DAP with that money. But Type C and bluetooth functionalities sure are pretty cool on an iPod!

[@lilxlillix7819]

Good video mate

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for the support!

[@stickyymochi]

It's important to note that iPods prior to the 5th/5.5 gen also have a Wolfson DAC, the earphones and audio file are more important in that aspect. Great videos talking about iPod modding though very informative.

[@iamalexsun]

Good point. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@escapetherace1943]

The wolfson dac doesn't sound better than the gen 6/7 as people would have you to believe. It's literally nonsense

[@stickyymochi]

@@escapetherace1943 You make a really good point actually which is why I tried to not give any opinion on how the dac itself sounds but more so the general information on the devices since the talking point of the 5th gen being the “best sounding” was always silly to me. Appreciate your input.

[@escapetherace1943]

@@stickyymochi most people can't tell the difference between DACs but 'warm' as people describe gen 5 is further away from transparency and accuracy...

[@ManoharOfficial]

Great video! I really want to do this exact mod. Although I want to try out rockbox on it instead of iPodOS. You should do a video on how to install rockbox and show off some features too!

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for the idea! I plan on only using the stock OS, but I did consider installing rockbox. Will post an update soon!

[@someguy2972]

Funny you say that about Amazon, I just got myself an Innioasis Y1 (which is basically a clone of the old 120gb Ipod Classic) and they didn't even give me the USB - C cable that was supposed to come with it. So I had to go out of my way to buy a replacement. I was able to get the thing to work but ya still should get what you pay for, and I wasn't going to go through the hassle of having to send the thing back either.

[@RyanNiemer]

Glad I found this video, very well done. I've been debating on getting an ipod or just another cheap mp3 player for when i travel. I also didn't know that Micro Center would price match, and I was JUST at micro center this weekend lol. Question about the iflash: does this unit still only have a "song limit" of roughly 20,000 songs? If so, then 512 might be a bit overkill lol

[@iamalexsun]

Hey Ryan, thanks for stopping by! I am making a video today that will address all your questions plus some general tips for modding iPods. Will keep you updated once it’s out!

[@RyanNiemer]

@@iamalexsun awesome, can't wait to watch!

[@iamalexsun]

@@RyanNiemer Hey Ryan, thank you for your patience. Here's that video I promised: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2rIqKt8fK5rpqssi=K9ccmmlKeorLB3y7

[@RyanNiemer]

@@iamalexsun watching now!

[@churchillcoins8519]

Great video so once you put it back together, you format the drives in FAT 16? Then plug it into iTunes which recognizes it and restores/loads the iPod firmware?

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for the comment! I suggest following the iFlash SD card formatting guide to ensure the best outcome. iFlash Formatting Guide: www.iflash.xyz/prepare-sdxc-exfat-for-use-with-the-ipod/ After formatting and installing the cards, plug everything in, and iTunes should recognize it and prompt to reset when you connect it to your computer. Hope this helps!

[@overpoweredeverything1401]

Great video! Fyi: The iPod has been opened before, judging by the replacement battery, as this is not the original : )

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for the insight!

[@overpoweredeverything1401]

@@iamalexsunI actually did the same mod not long ago, and got a little triggered by the open space at the top 🙃. I then replaced the clicker with an Apple Taptic Engine. There’s some soldering required but the result is nice!

[@edsumil917]

Great job modding the iPod. Can you shuffle songs with the 512gb upgrade?

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks! Currently shuffling 11,278 songs with no issues. All in 16bit 320kbps MP3 format (~120GB). I recently switched the logic board to a 64MB one that came in the 80GB version of the 5.5. It was shuffling flawlessly with the same exact amount of songs on the 32MB board previously. I have yet to notice any performance improvements or differences between the two boards yet. Will definitely provide a more comprehensive update in a future video!

[@sabrinamerrick1271]

Good job! How do you format the micro SD cards?

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for the support! I referenced this guide by iFlash for the correct SD card format. www.iflash.xyz/prepare-sdxc-exfat-for-use-with-the-ipod/

[@sabrinamerrick1271]

@@iamalexsun Thanks, from NYC!

[@eric6345]

Could you do a time lapse video testing out the 3000 mAh Battery in your Ipod 5th gen? I've heard on reddit forums that the 3000 mAh Battery isn't lasting up to expectations but oddly enough, nobody on KZbin has taken the time to actually test the battery life. It is all hear-say. Lots of videos on KZbin on how to upgrade and install but no actual testing. Thanks. 💯

[@escapetherace1943]

there's a 3800mah battery now that fits and because it's newer it'll have close to its full life unlike the older 3000mah ones sitting around for years

[@eric6345]

@@escapetherace1943 How many playable hours are you able to clock off the 3800 mAh battery with your Ipod 5th gen?

[@escapetherace1943]

@@eric6345 120+

[@eric6345]

@@escapetherace1943 I'm hoping someone makes a video of this claim, puts a stop watch next to the Ipod and tests it.

[@EliteObsolete]

nice vid

[@EliteObsolete]

Dam u got screwed over by whoever sold you that battery, it’s the thick model not the thin model.

[@iamalexsun]

Hey Austin! Thanks for stopping by! Now that you've mentioned it, I realized I cross referenced the wrong battery from your site and the one I got was in fact the thick model!

[@AngusPearson]

Dumb question, how long does the restore take? I’d have guessed a minute or two, you said half an hour, I’m having bad luck with the 5th gen I’ve got, but perhaps I’m being impatient?

[@iamalexsun]

Good question! I go over this in more detail in my other video about my iPod at around the 7 minute mark (kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2rIqKt8fK5rpqssi=Egfx7EM7T-loBdQ2) It took about 6 hours to sync my library of around 12,000 songs. Since the transfer speed bottleneck is hardware related, it all comes down to the file type, encoding, and the amount of songs you have. Hope this helps!

[@iamalexsun]

Wait, I completely missed your question lol. It took around 15-30 minutes for the restore process. Don’t panic if it takes too long, these things are pretty old. If it takes more than 45 minutes and appears to be stuck on the restore screen, I would consider unplugging it and reboot your iPod by holding the center and menu button at the same time for about 5 seconds.

[@AngusPearson]

@@iamalexsun I’m a bit stuck, High Sierra iTunes and Sonoma Finder both don’t want to restore this 5th gen I’ve got despite it working fine with the original hard drive… they see it, try then fail (err 1433 if that means anything to anyone) 🤔 I’m going to try different SD cards and hope! Seems weird it could be dead in such a specific way with everything else working, unless you’ve got ideas? You mentioned formatting (I’ve don’t the card) but did you also format the iPod itself in Disk Mode?

[@iamalexsun]

@@AngusPearson I would attempt formatting the iPod in disk mode. It could be an SD card issue as the iFlash boards are very picky with the brand and capacity of SD cards. Here’s the SD card compatibility list on the iFlash website for reference: www.iflash.xyz/store/iflash-quad/

[@drumheed]

Rad dude

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks!

[@wolfalpha6566]

Can I do the same upgrade for iPad 5th 60gb?

[@iamalexsun]

Yes! Absolutely! All the steps are exactly the same.

[@Mohan_Chandra_06]

Is that a Royal Enfield behind

[@iamalexsun]

Good eye!

[@Mohan_Chandra_06]

@@iamalexsun tq 😀😀

[@JorgeBannoki]

I have been trying to do this process, but my iPod does not restore. Any tips?

[@iamalexsun]

Thanks for sharing! I would start by formatting your SD cards as instructed in this guide: www.iflash.xyz/prepare-sdxc-exfat-for-use-with-the-ipod

[@frankenstein3163]

Do any of these allow video shuffle ?

[@iamalexsun]

Unfortunately no, it cannot shuffle videos.

[@frankenstein3163]

@@iamalexsun What os/rom's have you tried ?

[@iamalexsun]

@@frankenstein3163 Just stock Apple OS. I like to keep it simple.

[@frankenstein3163]

@@iamalexsun I got a reply from another YT'r and he sead it does if you make a playlist. Is that what's preventing you from shuffling videos ?

[@iamalexsun]

@@frankenstein3163 I appreciate the info! I’ve never put any videos on my iPod and I probably never will, maybe besides Shrek ;) But this is very good to know!