As of writing this (2025/11/13), I have found an iPod 5th Generation (Classic) and I REALLY want to use it without consulting macOS or Windows. I just want a viable way to manage an iPod using linux as my computer. Really this is one of two goals, consisting of many different steps. The following is what I want to do:
(-) iPod hardware
() Replace battery
() Replace hard drive with solid state alternative
(-) iPod software
() Back up all the music/misc files before anything else
() Have a reliable way to add music on the iPod
Maybe I'll have to boot it with Rockbox, as the current software seems to really like iTunes. Anyway, this is what I call a "Catalog of Desperation," basically a link dump of all the websites I've visited trying to solve these problems and learn more about how to work this dang rectangle. Although this will primarily serve to help me organize website links, I hope this page will also offer you insight to your own iPod problems if applicable.
Update (2025/11/15): I'm planning on installting Rockbox on the iPod since I really don't want to use iTunes regularly. This is likely more difficult in the beginning but doing this will make using the iPod much easier in the long run.
Factory Restore iPod 5th Gen without iTun… - Apple Community - Didn't really help, it had nothing to do with linux and was (I think) resolved by actually installing iTunes.
Tried installing rockbox to my ipod 5th gen and i think its bricked :/ : r/ipod - Don't think this helped too much either.
Rockbox - Free Music Player Firmware - This is just the main page for Rockbox, essentially an alternative software to run the iPod on.
How to install Rockbox on an iPod Classic - iFixit Repair Guide - "Windows only" tutorial, suggests linux users to run a VM.
Rockbox in iPod Video 5G – Phoxis - Hey! Maybe I should have read through this article instead of skimming it. Gives useful information about installing/booting Rockbox on an iPod.
iPod Video Gen 5 - Rockbox/iPod Linux/Apple - Going Strong in 2021 : r/rockbox - Another reddit post-- I never really found these too particularly useful other than to steer me away from some general wrong direction.
It was Impossible install RockBox on iPod 5 gen : r/rockbox - Click here for demotivation.
I have a 5.5g that will restore in MacOS Catalina but not Windows 10 : r/ipod - Probably not very useful, makes no mention about linux.
Is there any way to restore an iPod without apple software? : r/ipod - Possibly useful, I'll have to check again.
gtkpod - Wikipedia - More demotivation but some interesting info.
I guess gtkpod is gone - Linux Mint Forums - gtkpod seems so useful, I'm not sure if it'll work on my computer though.
Restoring iPod Classic Without iTunes (Solved!!!) | iLounge Forums - Someone succeeded at some point at least, consider yourself motivated.
Restore without iTunes - wikiPodLinux - I don't think I want to use iPodLinux.
multimedia - Is there a way to restore/format an iPod under Linux? - Ask Ubuntu - These don't typically help.
Is it possible to restore an iPod under Linux? : r/ipod - Like technically?
How to Manage an iPod in Linux (w/ Pictures) - The pictures on the side are funny but I don't really find these articles too helpful.
iFlash-Quad – iFlash.xyz - New storage medium to replace the HDD?
How To: Rockbox installation on iPod Classic (new bootloader) – iFlash.xyz - Outdated tutorial, but I didn't really give it a read.
Install RockBox on an IPod (easy Steps) : 6 Steps - Instructables - I forgot about this one-- maybe helpful?
Restore and use an iPod on Linux | Kimiblock's Blog - Blog post on restoring an iPod without iTunes. I'm still very new to linux so I don't know if their distro means most of the steps are unapplicable.
iPod Firmware Downloads - Firmware/iPod - Self-explanatory
FreshPorts -- audio/libgpod: Library for direct access to iPod/iPhone contents - Probably not important, but better safe than sorry?
GitHub - fadingred/libgpod - Actually here's the github page for it.
Linux Mint - Community - iFuse program, something to do with computer interaction with iPhones and iPods. It comes preinstalled with linux mint so maybe this'll help?
Music on iPod without iTunes [no windows] - Linux Mint Forums - I don't remember this one.
iPod (5th generation) Manuals and Downloads - Apple Support - More stuff from Apple.
Fifth Generation iPod (iPod with video) 30 GB, 60 GB - Technical Specifications - Apple Support - And more stuff.
iPod and RhythmBox : r/linux4noobs - I'll have to recheck this one too.
Cannot figure out how to sync my 5th generation ipod - Same with this.
How to Guide- Ipod/ipod touch/iphone Music transfer/sync - Linux Mint Forums - This didn't help me but it's pretty detailed if your case happens to coincide with this one.
Add ipod/iphone iOS4 support to Rhythmbox (LM9 Gnome) - Linux Mint Forums - This probably won't help anyone now.
RhythmboxIpod - Ubuntu Wiki - Some general info on using Rhythmbox with your iPod.
How to sync songs in Rhythmbox with an iPod - Ask Ubuntu - I'll need to check this one again.
libimobiledevice · A cross-platform FOSS library written in C to communicate with iOS devices natively. - Self-explanatory.
Transfer music from ipod to linux machine - Linux Mint Forums - I'll need to check this one again too.
How to Add Music to an iPod Shuffle, Nano, Classic, or Touch - Another wikihow. Probably not that helpful.
iPod Updater 2006-06-28 for Mac - Apple Support - I'm honestly surprised Apple still gives easy access to these things. This probably won't help with restoring an iPod however.
A Journey of Putting an SSD Into an iPod Classic With Rockbox - Artem Garmash - Detailed article on someone's iPod tinkering. Gives no information on avoiding iTunes though.
How do I copy my iPOD to another drive? L… - Apple Community - This guy sounds angry, but I definitely understand the frustration of every search result misinterpreting your very supposedly simple question.
iPod Classic - Wikipedia - So I'm very new to all this stuff, so here's where I first learned about how the iPod firmware is stored in a seperate ROM thing. This just answered a question sitting in the back of my mind and it's not really that important.
HowTo: Install Rockbox on the iPod Classics – iFlash.xyz - This might help. I don't know.
Best way to use an iPod - Linux Mint Forums - This might be the one where everyone starts talking about how bad the iPod is.
ubuntu - iPod management software for Linux - Super User - This could help.
How to synchronize an Apple iPod - Fedora Project Wiki - Nothing to say about this at the moment.
Software recommendations for managing my iPods from Linux : r/ipod - More reddit.
GitHub - trinitonesounds/gtkpod: iPod manager - gtkpod on github.
GNUpod Manual: - I forgot what this one's for.
How is Rockbox better/worse for an iPod classic 5th generation? : r/ipod - I found one of the comments potentially very useful, explaining that there are programs that allow you to "drag and drop" music onto your iPod without using iTunes nor Rockbox.
Troublshooting tips for Rockbox install on Windows 10/11 and my thoughts : r/ipod - Really detailed guide/tips if you're using Windows.
