Determine Which iPod Model You Have

This document will help you determine the model of iPod you have as well as the latest version of iPod software available for your model. To ensure that your Mac or PC is compatible, check the system requirements for your particular iPod.

You can always download the latest iPod software at http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/.

You can tell which iPod model you have by checking:

1. If it has a scroll wheel, a touch wheel, or a click wheel
2. The size of its hard drive (how do I tell?)
3. If it has a color or monochrome screen
4. The dock connector

iPod Video (Fifth Generation iPod)

The iPod Video is a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. Like the iPod nano, it uses USB for syncing and comes in white and black. It has two hard drive sizes, 30 and 60 GB.

iPod Nano

iPod Nanos are smaller than iPod Minis. Like iPod Minis, iPod Nanos have color screens and Click Wheels, but they have flash memory instead of a hard drive. Song and photo syncing only occurs over USB 2 (not FireWire). iPod Nanos come in white and black. The capacity of the iPod nano is engraved on the back of the case (1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB).

The Dock Connector (1) and headphone jack (2) are both on the bottom of the iPod Nano.

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iPod Minis

iPod Mini 1st Generation

An iPod Mini is distinguished from other models by:

• Its smaller size.
• Its colors.
• The Hold switch, which is on the top-left side.
  
• The Click Wheel's button labels, which are on the wheel itself.

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iPod Mini 2nd Generation

The iPod Mini Second Generation models are distinguished from the original iPod Mini models by:

• The hard drive size engraved on the back of the unit.
• The Click Wheel text color matches the iPod Mini (Second Generation) color
• See other differences between generations of the Mini.

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iPod Photo (iPod with Color Display)

iPod Photo and iPod 4th Generation are now one and the same, with every white iPod boasting a full-color display.

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iPod 4th Generation

iPod 4th Generation models have a Click Wheel like the iPod Mini, but are larger with the hold switch on the top-right side. 4th Generation iPods originally shipped with a monochrome display, but now come with color screens (see iPod Photo).

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iPod U2 Special Edition

The iPod U2 Special Edition is a 4th Generation iPod with a 20 GB hard drive. The differences are external and include: a black plastic exterior, a red Click Wheel, the signatures of the U2 band members engraved on the back, and "iPod U2 Special Edition" engraved on the back.

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iPod Shuffle

iPod Shuffle is smaller than iPod Mini and has no display. There are LED lights on the front and back. The capacity of the drive is engraved on the front USB connector.

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iPod 3rd Generation

3rd Generation iPods have a Dock Connector as illustrated below. Newer iPod models like 4th Generation iPods and iPod Minis also have a dock connector, but the 3rd Generation iPod has a Touch Wheel instead of a Click Wheel and the four control buttons are above the Touch Wheel.

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iPod 2nd Generation

All 2nd Generation iPods have a FireWire port cover. 1st Generation models don't, and 3rd Generation models don't have a FireWire port. 2nd Generation iPod controls look similar to 1st Generation iPod controls, but the touch wheel itself does not turn. The top of a 2nd Generation iPod is shown below.

1. FireWire port cover
2. FireWire port
3. Headphones port
4. Hold switch

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Original iPod (1st Generation)

Original iPods have a Scroll Wheel that physically turns. The controls (Play, Menu, Next, Previous) appear in a circle around the wheel.

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Summary Table

Image	Model	Hard Drive	Wheel	Screen	First Introduced	Software Version
	iPod Video (5th Generation iPod)	30, 60 GB	Click Wheel	Color	10/05	1.1.1
	iPod Nano	1, 2, 4 GB	Click Wheel	Color	9/05	1.1.1
	iPod Mini 2nd Generation	4, 6 GB	Click Wheel	Monochrome	2/05	1.4.1
	iPod Photo (iPod with Color Display)	20, 30, 40, 60 GB	Click Wheel	Color	10/04	1.2.1
	iPod Shuffle	.5, 1 GB	N/A	N/A	1/05	1.1.3
	iPod 4th Generation	20, 40 GB	Click Wheel	Monochrome	7/04	3.1.1
	iPod Mini 1st Generation	4 GB	Click Wheel	Monochrome	1/04	1.4.1
	iPod 3rd Generation	10, 15, 20, 30, 40 GB	Dock Connector, Touch Wheel	Monochrome	4/03	2.4
	iPod 2nd Generation	10, 20 GB	Touch Wheel	Monochrome	7/02	1.5
	Original iPod	5, 10 GB	Scroll Wheel	Monochrome	10/01	1.5

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How to Determine Your iPod's Hard Drive Size

To determine your iPod's hard drive size:

• Select Main Menu > Settings > About.
• On some models, the hard drive size is engraved on the metal case near the bottom.
  

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