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[2024 Guide] How to Soft/Factory Reset iPod Easily

You may wonder how to reset an iPod when you have your iPod Touch/Shuffle/Nano frozen and want to factory reset it. You are smart to head for that way, but it's not easy to do that. This post collects 4 most practical ways to help you reset your iPod easily with or without iTunes and a computer.

Reset iPod

Part 1: How to Soft Reset/Restart iPod

Soft reset, which works similarly to reboot your computer. Hard reset, in contrary to soft reset, is to factory reset iPod. Soft reset always happens when your iPod is frozen or not responding. Just try to soft reset to unfreeze an iPod.

1. On iPod nano 7th generation: Touch and hold down Sleep/Wake and Home button until the screen shut down. Wait for a few seconds, your device will reboot.

Nano 7 Soft Reset

2. On iPod nano 6th generation: Press both the Sleep/Wake and Volume Down buttons for over 8 seconds. Wait until the Apple logo shows up.

Nano 6 Soft Reset

3. On iPod nano 5th generation and earlier: Switch Hold in the unlocked position and then hold both the Menu and Center buttons for at least 8 seconds.

Nano 5 Soft Reset

4. For iPod shuffle: Power off the iPod shuffle using the Power switch, wait for a few seconds and then turn on the iPod shuffle again.

iPod Reset

5. On iPod classic: Put the Hold key in the unlocked position. Press both the Menu and Center for 8 seconds until Apple logo presents.

iPod Reset

6. For iPod Touch: Press both the Power and Home buttons until you see Apple logo.

Ipod Reset

In the following ways, your iPod data will be wiped out. If you have some important photos, videos or music, you had better backup iPod firstly.

Part 2: Factory Reset iPod Without iTunes

When you want to give in iPod for sale or want it to run slowly as original, reset iPod to factory settings will be a good option.

You can make the settings on iPod directly.

Here we use an iPod Touch as the example.

Of course, users could hard reset iPod without iTunes as well. Similar to iPhone, Apple has integrated Reset feature into iPod. And if your device is still working, this is the easiest way to reset it. To avoid restoring automatically after reset iPod, you should turn off all auto sync or auto backup features on your device. Here we use an iPod Touch as the example.

Step 1 Unlock your iPod Touch and navigate to Settings > General > Reset.

Step 2 Then you will be present several reset options; tap the one labeled Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 3 Enter your Apple ID and password to confirm you are the owner and wait for the process to complete. Then you will see the Hello screen.

Hard Reset iPod

Part 3: Factory Reset iPod with iTunes

If you have a computer, iTunes will be good assistant helping you back up and restore iOS devices. Please make sure that you've ever backed up your iPod to your computer, then you can reset your iPod with the backup files.

Step 1 Update your iTunes to the latest version, you can find the update in Help > Check for Updates. Connect your iPod to your computer using a USB cord.

iPod Computer

Step 2 Click the Device button on top of the window, head to Summary tab and

Device

Step 3 You should click the Restore iPod button to reset your iPod from the backups on your computer.

Restore Ipod

Note: What if iTunes can't recognize the iPod? That's because your iPod is disabled or has some system errors. You may need to put your iPod in recovery mode, and the iTunes will restore your iPod to a fresh state.

Part 4: Factory Reset iPod Without Password

As mentioned above, when you forget the iPod passcode or the iPod is disabled, iTunes won't detect your device. You should turn to Apeaksoft iOS System Recovery for help. This powerful iOS assistant can fix all iOS errors and then directly reset your iPod without a passcode or iTunes.

Note: This way also helps you restore iPhone without iTunes.

iOS System Recovery

4,000,000+ Downloads

Reset iPod to factory settings quickly and safely.

Rescue iPod from Apple logo, disabled, headphone mode, etc.

Update iPod to the latest iOS version.

Compatible with iPod touch 7/6/5/4, shuffle, classic, nano, mini, etc.

Step 1Run iOS System Recovery

Free download, install and run iOS System Recovery software on your computer.

In the main interface, select iOS System Recovery. Meanwhile, connect your iPod to computer with USB cable.

Run iOS System RecoveryStep 2Diagnose iPod state

If your iPod gets stuck in some state like Apple logo, DFU mode, Recovery mode, etc. just click it. If in other abnormal states, click Others. If normal, just click Start directly.

Diagnose iPod stateStep 3Put iPod into Recovery/DFU mode

Click Advanced mode and let this software detect your iPod state, and Confirm to follow the on-screen instructions to get iPod into Recovery/DFU mode.

Put iPod into Recovery/DFU modeStep 4Reset iPod

After entering your iPod into Recovery/DFU mode, you need to check your iPod information. If it is not correct, select the correct one from the drop-down option.

Click Repair to start to download firmware and reset iPod to the newest iOS version.

Reset iPod

Check what this wizard can do for you:

Part 5: FAQs About Resetting iPod

Can an iPad be traced once reset?

Before your iPad was reset, you could track your iPad through the Find My iPhone feature, but after you reset your iPad, this feature will no longer be able to be used properly. It will be difficult for Apple officials and the police to track your device again.

Can iPad data be recovered after resetting?

After your iPad has been reset, you can restore your device through previous iCloud, iTunes, or other backup means or with the help of some third-party places' data recovery tools to help you.

Does resetting remove hackers?

If you find that your device has been hacked, you can remove the hacker's control of your device by doing a factory reset on your iPad, but this will wipe out all the data, including your apps, photos, contacts, etc., on your device. So you'd better make a backup of your data before taking this step.

How to unlock iPad without a password?

You can put your device into Recovery Mode and then reset it. You first need to prepare a computer and turn your iPad off. Press and hold your iPad's top or Home button and connect it to the computer immediately. Don't release the button during the process until recovery mode appears on your screen.

What should I do before the factory reset?

If you restart your iPad to fix some system problems, then you'd better back up your data in advance; if you restart your iPad to sell it, then you'd better uninstall the apps and browsers that contain your account password information and remove the VPN apps first to keep your personal information safe.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have talked about how to reset iPod touch, Nano, Shuffle, Classic and other models in 4 ways. Now you might understand the methods to restore an iPod to factory reset, hard reset an iPod or soft reset iPod. If you can remember Apple account, or get an iTunes, all the ways work exactly. If you want to fix disabled iPod without iTunes or password, iOS System Recovery is no doubt the best option. We hope that our guides are helpful and useful when you have troubles on your device.

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