There are four types of iPods: iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle. Different iPods also have different generations. Each iPod has slightly different ways to turn on, but this usually involves pressing and holding a button until the iPod turns on.
Steps
Determine Which iPod You Have
Step 1. Before proceeding, connect the iPod to power
Most likely, it does not turn on, as it is discharged. Connect your iPod to your computer or power adapter, then turn it on. If your iPod works, you don't need to determine which iPod you have.
Step 2. If your iPod has a touchscreen, it's an iPod touch
Read on to learn how to turn on iPod touch
Step 3. If you have a small iPod, but with a screen, then this is the iPod nano
Different generations of iPod nano have different form factors.
- If you're not sure if you have an iPod nano, click here to go to the Apple iPod page.
- Read on to learn how to turn on iPod nano.
- If your iPod nano does not have a touchscreen function, find instructions on how to turn on that device.
Step 4. If your iPod is large and rectangular, but doesn't have a touchscreen, it's iPod classic
- If you're not sure if you have an iPod classic, click here to go to the Apple iPod page.
- Read on to learn how to turn on iPod classic.
Step 5. If the iPod doesn't have a screen, it's iPod shuffle
Read on to learn how to turn on iPod shuffle
Step 6. Try other solutions
If your iPod won't turn on as usual, read on for other possible solutions.
Method 1 of 4: iPod Touch and iPod Nano Generations 6 and 7
Step 1. Make sure iPod touch is charged
In the off state, you will not be able to determine this. If in doubt, or these steps don't help, connect iPod touch to your computer.
Step 2. Turn on iPod touch
The Sleep / Wake button is located on the upper-right corner of iPod touch. Press and hold the Sleep / Wake button until you see the Apple logo. iPod touch boots up and is ready to use.
- When iPod touch is on, press the Sleep / Wake button to put the display into standby mode to conserve battery power.
- To turn off iPod touch, press and hold the Sleep / Wake button until the power off slider appears, and then slide the power switch to turn it off.
Method 2 of 4: iPod Classic and iPod Nano Generations 1-5
Step 1. Make sure iPod classic is charged
In the off state, you will not be able to determine this. When in doubt, or these steps don't help, connect iPod classic to your computer.
Step 2. Turn on iPod classic
Press any button to turn on iPod classic.
To disconnect iPod classic, press and hold the Play / Pause button
Method 3 of 4: iPod Shuffle
Step 1. Make sure iPod shuffle is charged
When in doubt, connect iPod classic to your computer.
Step 2. Turn on iPod shuffle
There is a switch at the top of iPod shuffle. If you see green, iPod shuffle is on, and if you don't see green, iPod shuffle is off. Slide the switch to turn on iPod shuffle.
Slide the switch the other way to disable it
Method 4 of 4: Other solutions
Step 1. Make sure the lock switch is off
If you have an iPod classic or iPod nano (generations 1-5), the lock switch can be set to the lock position to prevent it from turning on. If the interlock switch shows orange, it is in the closed position. Flip the switch to the open position. Turn on your iPod.
Even if the lock switch is in the unlocked position, it may prevent the iPod from turning on. Flip the lock switch to the lock and then to the unlocked position
Step 2. Reboot your iPod
Each iPod has a slightly different reboot method. Click here for information on how to reset each type of iPod.