Upgrading an iPod Mini in 2024

How much effort does it take to modify an old iPod? Join me as I discover the surprising answer. While I do enjoy my refurbished iPod mini, modifying an iPod isn't for the faint of heart, so if you plan on modifying your own, make sure you find out whats involved first.
This video was uploaded in 2020 but is still applicable today.
►Disclaimer: Do not copy what I do in this video, as it is for entertainment purposes only.
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Song Used:
Harris Heller - Pixel Sunrise

[@namelessanonymous2090]

I swear, Dankpods is creating an entire iPod cult, and I'm definitely joining. (I never had an iPod ;_;)

[@echodelta2172]

Can confirm, I just bought a 5th gen classic despite having only owned Nanos back in high school.

[@gabrielramos5338]

I bought two iPods just because of dankpods lmao

[@yaboidustin2447]

Same, I just bought a silver mini 1st gen

[@EpicB]

I want in on this cult too. I found a knockoff of the second gen iPod shuffle (one of those ultra cheap ones with a microSD slot and no onboard storage; DankPods himself looked at a knockoff of the first gen Shuffle) but sadly the seller currently isn't shipping to where I live. And since hearing about iPod mini modding I'm interested in picking one up. I owned an iPod Touch in high school but I got rid of it since I have a phone now.

[@droid1008]

SAME

[@ggoodson4380]

No clue how a channel this small got into my recommended feed, but I am glad the algorithm favored you. Good luck kind sir

[@jimreilly6933]

A minute using a hair dryer on the unit will help ease out all the glued parts. you omitted the most critical part of the process ! Removing the click wheel ribon.

[@juny5531]

11:15 Damn that was so nerve wracking to watch through, thank god it didn't get torn apart completely even after that That's a #1 way to break that hdd connector (Trust me, I know it cause I've done it my self before)

[@mata218]

Nice channel, I've been considering getting into Gameboy and iPod modding myself.

[@rorywalters1614]

My biggest complain about iPod shuffle is no single song cycling. No screen is not a really problem, iPod shuffle can read songs name to you, just long hold the centre button, only thing is you can't pick a song. Really that thing is only meant to be used with one or several short play lists, not the entire iTunes library, you certainly don't want to skip songs one by one to find the one you want. I have the 3rd Gen shuffle and it got 4GB that I couldn't use all of it. Your 4th Gen don't have 4GB version since it's just excessive.

[@3dprintingteen164]

I’m collecting 2nd gen minis to give as gifts and one for myself and my god I want a hp one for the lols

[@ryangraham9623]

Keep up the good work.

[@SonicVsKH]

"Gameboy micro" is the smallest

[@jamestube325]

Good channel I’m a new subscriber

[@Mcdorkle]

2022? but uploaded in 2020?

[@Compucentric]

I have a time machine

[@sohobal557]

Wow

[@gblan]

I have one of these with 1TB, a 6.1" hi res screen and Bluetooth. It's called an iPhone these days.

[@silasweaver8268]

You can get 1 Terabyte iPhones?

[@dxmanforlife]

Bet that cost a arm and a leg

[@Arkakercis]

If the ipod freezes on the apple logo, you have to press "play" and "menu" to reset, then the ipod will start from scratch recognizing the CF card, now you just connect to itunes and restore the ipod

[@GuyManley]

Thanks for the in-depth follow along video. Just did this with a blue gen 2 mini. Now 64gb with my life's collections of music on it. Shot outs to dankpods. I was actually anti apple when this device was new but it still works and my creative zen vision M from the time died long ago.

[@antdavisonNZ]

the minis (ideally gen2) are highly moddable, i've done a few, chromed cases, (re-coloured or bare polished) re-anodised cases, clickwheel and centre button swap from 5th or 6th gen classic (requires some filing), led backlight colour change for MADE IN THAILAND lcd displays, recolour the PVC endcaps with upholstery vinyl spray dye .. there's lots you can do .. remove the end caps without case damage by hot gluing a cable tie to them in two places, practical memory limit is 128gb, as there is a limit to the amount of songs they can keep track of .. maybe 20,000 or so, can't quite remember

[@Heidegaff]

Actually the 2nd gen goes up to 256GB.

[@antdavisonNZ]

@@Heidegaff i said 'practical' - 20k-25k lossy mp3s will be around 128gb, go more if ur library is lossless, people have gone to 512gb on these, but the limitation is the track index database . no point going bigger than your library unless u want a slow usb2 portable harddrive, or your library is alot of podcasts, symphonies, or full albums not splt into separate song-length mp3 tracks. youll be limited to a singe udma relatively expensive cf card or a udma cf adapter with 1 SD slot, idk if the dual slot microSD adapters would work

[@Heidegaff]

Well yeah I do keep my entire CD collection, Newground albums, Spotify rips and a few audiobooks in my iPod Mini with 256GB of storage space. I also use it to carry some useful data, documents and tiny .exe programs with me all the time.

[@antdavisonNZ]

@@Heidegaff the 512gb minis i saw back in 2016 were running rockbox - whether than is significant idk maybe the apple firmware cant see it. idk ... cf cards are expensive, my 128gb one was us$100 back when i modded my biggest one back in 2013, its still happy. the greater than 750mA batteries are fake specs, the film lcd colour changes will dim your screen, smd led colour change can be alot brighter depending on the led spec. i got half a dozen of modded minis by my desk right now ) they look great in a black or clear polished re-anodize with later model better proprtioned clickwheel plastics and black dyed endcaps

[@sound.and.vision94]

Cool video. Helpful. Just ordered a mini myself after watching mr dankpods.

[@t3xtielgordijn]

Daniel Milner same here, got mine today for 15 dollars in the original box and all the stuff

[@sound.and.vision94]

@@t3xtielgordijn nice, no box with mine just a docking connector but I'm happy with that :D

[@t3xtielgordijn]

Daniel Milner enjoy your purchase, have a nice day

[@SETH_420]

mmmm yes when dankpods has no more videos to watch i will watch this mmmm my craving for ipods have been forfilled delishos

[@spamhands6993]

Funny thing about the battery. It's not awful, Gen 2 Minis are 18 hours of audio. What is awful is the indicator itself; I found this out when I was on a 13 hour plane ride. The battery indicator says it's at empty for more than half of its battery life. I assume it's like this because it was for the Gen 1's battery of 8 hours and nobody bothered to update the indicator.

[@RTMonitor]

I luckily bought an iPod Mini (pink, 2nd gen) with a cable and 2 new batteries (1 inserted in the iPod Mini, other will be using for my iPod Classic 4th Gen) all for total of $21.50 on eBay.

[@Kaiser187]

I've owned 3 ipod minis since they first came out. First one lasted the longest of course and the last 2 died within a year or two. The cheap replacement batteries off Ebay are garbage and will fail. Tried twice and broke the the click wheel connection on the second one. Most of these ipod minis have dented corners from being dropped and you have to take some pliers to peel the corner/s back to get to the battery. I never tried this method and might in the future since my last mini just died a few months ago. It charges but can't hold a charge for more then 30 mins to an hour max. I just went ahead and bought a iphone 4s for $17 in mint condition. I heard the dac in them is just as good or better then the wolfsen that came in the minis. I see people asking crazy money for these things now. I wouldn't pay more then $20 for one unless you are desperate. I payed $14 for my last mini and it still works just needs a new battery or motherboard, who knows.

[@skrounst]

Bro, I just came from a Dankpods video to see how to "flash mod an ipod mini" (

[@TeddyBearGaming999]

*dankpods intensifies*

[@bencullimore]

I recently did my first GBA mod and now this is the next thing I’m going to do (except my failed ds lite that I broke the ribbon for the top screen)

[@guitarboyjeff]

I think everyone found Dank Pods as a first time iPod modifying video. I actually found others prior to his but I loved his because of the entertainment value. The issue with his is that they are not really step by step tutorials on how to actually do it. But still amazing and still watch him now. Lol

[@nerdyneedsalife8315]

If you want higher quality ALAC then more storage would be good. If you're ripping AAC then 32 GB is fine then. I decided to buy a regular compact flash for my first gen iPod Mini. Someone was in it because some monster soldered the battery in. Luckily I have soldering gear of my own.

[@nathansstuff1547]

Kinda glad some monster didn't do it to mine. Haven't taught myself how to solder quite yet.

[@fenixlolnope361]

..in 2023 but the video was uploaded 3 years ago? >.>

[@Compucentric]

I used a time machine

[@vladtherussian23462]

i started watching iPod vids since i wanted one (i still didnt bought it (for not that logical pepole:on moment i posted comment )) and i just got this vid pop up in recomendation and i gust realised what a golden man i found. i was intrested in nintendo consloes in 2021

[@Goofymoji2024]

“OH MY PKCELL” “Give a buck if u give a fu-“ - dankpods

[@ELBENDC2]

This guy us so trying to be Dankpod, OMG 😲 even the background music 🎶., dude just be you that is the best thing when people are themselves and not try to be someone else, love the work on the ipod tho

[@floritutatus1161]

Hello, Do you know anymore were you buyed the cf adapter? And how much did it cost (+-) .

[@Sissie131]

How were you updating an iPod in 2024 when this video is 4 years old IN 2024, did you time travel? Hahahaha

[@Compucentric]

Time travel yep!

[@Harsha04120]

SHREK POD IT!

[@tssNoName]

Hahahaha i Knew it im just coming From dank Pods to your Video

[@MrMoto655]

I recently swapped out the battery in my ipod mini second gen with one from amazon. Im generally getting about 6-7 hours of play time, but i also have a CF to microSD adapter in it now to replace the microdrive. Is that about average for a 750 maH battery? On the original, 20 year old battery, i was generally getting 2-3 hours of play time or less.

[@DrewBlue32]

I want to do what do you, could you please tell me what tool set you are using here? I can buy the battery and the memory card, but I need the tool set.

[@Compucentric]

I recommend ifixit tools, didn’t use them for this video but I bought one shortly after and they are so much better than generic toolsets

[@ktototakoj8927]

Hello I wanted to expand the memory of my iPod mini only with the help of compact flash, the PC sees the iPod with more memory, but when it is restored through iTunes, error 1430 appears

[@rodrigofalln]

Any link for the battery and hard drive? Thank you :)

[@Comt3dio]

This guy is the worse. Oh my god!

[@Pashamillion]

Maybe you install Rockbox in new video

[@travisthe3rd617]

I wanna do an iPod nano ssd mod, but the mini is a great to use for a nice classic feel

[@trenidadzambrano6851]

Nano us flash storage already lol

[@logancook5261]

the nano is hard to open too

[@cuetTimmonz]

i still have some parts, i bought from ebay. 2 of these were ugraded, work like a charm if u have the right headphones!! u need the pin ones. another issue with these oldies...

[@PeterDoesFarming]

Easy way to tell on front is color matched dial. On back is either the year or the etched storage.

[@victorakbar]

I did this in 2015, now my battery is gone. The battery is expensive and very rare in Indonesia, so i opened the old battery, took the small electronic board on it, and place it onto generic 3.7v battery for bluetooth and its done.

[@chuck3175]

Anyone else get stuck on "Do not disconnect" when you first plug it in. In iTunes it says "The selected device could not be found."

[@baccarah7010]

The iPod shuffle: The time where apple removed connectivity because of ACTUAL size constraints.

[@pogfrog8796]

you were in my recommended the only iPod content I watch is dankpods

[@fishface6247]

What's the max size for sd card they can recognize?

[@Pashamillion]

в своем городе я такую батарею не найду(

[@bradley6009]

i just bought a ipod video 5.5 gen becusce of this and dankpods

[@uberfu]

iPod Shuffle ... Welcome to the 1980s. Before MP3 players came along; before CD players came along with digital LCD screens ... we had to use our memory and understand timing to fast forward and rewind a cassette tape to specific songs. No displays. If you wqere lucky (and could afford) you might end up witha portable tape player that could cue between song breaks (which made things a little easier). Get over your iPod Shuffle pains.

[@Compucentric]

And welcome to 2022, where even the best iPod is considered obsolete. Tech newer and multitudes better than the the 80s is cheap and available and has been for decades, so yes, the gripe is valid.

[@dudewhat9197]

can you put ipod mini 2nd generation guts in a 1st generation housing

[@Compucentric]

Not sure

[@cirkulx]

yes (i know someone who put a 2nd generation in a gold 1st gen case)

[@EpicB]

I have an iPod mini myself (also a silver second gen, but not a Haitch Pea one) and I just ordered the parts to mod it.

[@CameronGrumet]

Good luck! They are very fun to mod. Love the DankPods reference

[@EpicB]

@@CameronGrumet I'm also in talks with a Reddit user to get a modded 5.5 gen, possibly with Bluetooth. I'm also planning to get it turned into a bee.

[@CameronGrumet]

@@EpicB I want Bluetooth in my pristine restored 7th gen classic, but am afraid to try. The DankPods bee looked awesome!

[@EpicB]

@@CameronGrumet Bluetooth modding an iPod does look pretty hard. A beePod would look cool regardless though.

[@CameronGrumet]

@@EpicB absolutely

[@alysssalyn]

Please invest in better tools.

[@johnnylegos8]

and perhaps use a hair dryer/heatgun next ime you need to pry on something glued down.

[@alysssalyn]

John A - Agreed, it’s much easier with a little heat.

[@Acterzoneski]

That error message means you have to plug it into iTunes and reinstall the os this will also happen if you use the iPod as a USB storage device

[@joshuanichols5468]

It's always Dankpods. I have 5 iPods right now, and 6 more in the mail. And it's all his fault.

[@cirkulx]

same... my ipod mini arrived today, ive got 3 na-nos and 2 touches... some classics soon

[@tomaswolsink7620]

Awesome I saw the video went looking in my house and find my I pod mini which I swapped the hard drive to a compackflash and it still works :)

[@gamepad3173]

You can also install Rockbox onto your Ipod and use that as a second OS.

[@AGoodVibe]

I tried this a few years back, but ended up causing catastrophic damage to the end caps. In addition, I found it difficult fitting the internals back into the casing without it bulging. I felt bad about it, like I had wasted an iPod mini. Still would like to try the upgrade again someday.

[@weelebaseknowles4410]

I got a cheapo cf to sd card and a battery it works for the most part except the screws needing replacement and the button peace needing new adhesive

[@sybsygstgstsgysg5330]

I love the slight dankpods feel you gave to the video. Underrated channel.

[@epiciphones]

lets make ipod great again!!!!!!

[@TerryKay.]

Wow i was shocked by number of subscribers man because the video was that good ...

[@Mizu14.]

He is the small version of dankpods

[@OverbuiltByHenry]

"Haitch Pea!" 😂

[@SDRIFTERAbdlmounaim]

why does ur cable says amazon ?

[@huntertomlin3523]

I had a gold iPod shuffle

[@TheJoker-zt4nk]

Will this work for the iPod Mini A1051 2004 Gen 1? I actually still have one that works, when plugged into a electric source? But would LOVE to mod this to a Compact Flash Storage Card!! Tks!

[@Compucentric]

It should work, but gen 1 minis have a lower maximum storage

[@TheJoker-zt4nk]

@@Compucentric Yes, Gen 1 is only 4GB, just like the Gen 2 you're working on here! I was hoping to kick it up to 64GB?! Plus if we're taking out the OLD max storage within the Disk Drive, shouldn't that moot the lower maximum storage point?? Tks for replying!

[@barbrastreisand8782]

after i did the mod, ipod mini is stuck in disk mode, and says "ok to disconnect" it keeps looping this, and itunes doesn't detect the ipod mini, any suggestions?

[@wawanjadoel4871]

barbra Streisand maybe your cf adapter broken

[@jfarinacci0329]

Your video is really good. Thank you.

[@sunightmcprivate]

I got you on my recommendations, and I thought you were dankpods

[@sunightmcprivate]

Wow... TYSM for the heart... I'm definitely subscribing to you...

[@ZacAttack9906]

Got a link to the mat you have there?

[@joeymichealdernetz9376]

Did you use windows or Mac to upgrade the iPod mini?

[@Compucentric]

I used windows, but it should be the same for Mac.

[@jpalacios117]

So many mini heart attacks

[@Viscous_Flow]

I've been watching dankpods for years and it brings me joy to see someone getting so inspired by him.

[@Adamlol642]

I love dankpods

[@batutasci]

Any limitation of max memory on ipod mini?

[@giabag1001]

256 GB

[@SnackGodd]

Dank pods is the reason I have a pink iPod mini love it to bits

[@superherofan2.0]

I have my dads old ipod mini

[@superherofan2.0]

Thanks for the hart

[@cisnerosjerez]

how is battery life now after the upgrade?

[@Compucentric]

While I haven't specifically tested battery life, I am able to use it for several days eithout needing to charge it.

[@cisnerosjerez]

@@Compucentric thanks, I modded my mini with micro SD too but kept the old battery, and it's not really great. A couple of days max.

[@ryo.hayshed_mcmlxix]

I’ve been struggling with this mod: iPod Mini 2nd gen., originally 4GB. iFlash SD-FC adapter. It just cannot restore it with 128GB SD through iTunes on iMac. Tried pre-formatting, partitioning, all sort of ways... changed the SD card, too. Lexar and SunDisk. The same. Cannot even format smaller card. Only ones worked so far were below 2GB... “unknown error #1406”. Any idea anyone can suggest? May try another USB cable...

[@KuraV12]

Very Unprofesional iPod Mini 2 Openning Here, When You Are Getting The Plastic On Top And Bottom You Are Not Meant To Use A Plastic Spudger And A Screwdriwer, Better Buy An iFlash Pry Up Blade And An iFlash Sd - Cf Adapter For iPods They Work Always

[@restingcomet]

im getting a new tree for bats, a cf to sd adapter, a new clickwheel, a headphone jack bluetooth transmitter thing and when I preform all of those i might get ipod linux or rockbox. Then after all of that i might get a 4th gen touch to jailbreak and stuff

[@stopmotionadventures4812]

this was NOT uploaded in 2024🧍‍♂