Identify your iPod model

Find out which iPod model you have by its model number and other details.

iPod touch (7th generation)

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 32, 128, 256 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A2178: May 2019

iPod touch (7th generation) has an 8MP camera and FaceTime HD camera.

iPod touch (6th generation)

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 16, 32, 64, 128 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1574: July 2015

iPod touch (6th generation) has an iSight camera and FaceTime HD camera.

iPod touch (5th generation)

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 16, 32, and 64 GB

• Model numbers and dates introduced:

  • A1509: June 2014

  • A1421: May 2013

  • A1421: October 2012

iPod touch (5th generation) has an iSight camera and FaceTime HD camera. The iPod touch loop is included with the 32 GB and 64 GB models.

iPod touch (5th generation 16 GB, Mid 2013)

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 16 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1509: May 2013

This model is available in silver and has a FaceTime HD camera.

iPod touch (4th generation)

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 8, 16, 32, and 64 GB

• Model numbers and dates introduced:

  • A1367: October 2012

  • A1367: October 2011

  • A1367: September 2010

iPod touch (4th generation) has an iSight camera and FaceTime HD camera.

iPod touch (4th generation) is available in white and black.

iPod touch (3rd generation)

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 32 and 64 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1318: September 2009

iPod touch (3rd generation) features a 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display and 32 GB or 64 GB flash drive.

You can distinguish the iPod touch (3rd generation) from iPod touch (2nd generation) by looking at the back of the device. In the text below the engraving, look for the model number.

iPod touch (2nd generation)

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 8, 16, and 32 GB

• Model numbers and dates introduced:

  • A1288: September 2008

  • A1319 for China mainland only: September 2008

iPod touch (2nd generation) features a 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display and 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB flash drive.

You can distinguish the iPod touch (2nd generation) from the previous model by its contoured design and oval shaped antennae cover in the back upper left corner.

iPod touch

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 8, 16, and 32 GB

• Model numbers and dates introduced:

  • A1213: February 2008

  • A1213: September 2007

iPod touch features a 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display and 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB flash drive. You can browse the web with Safari and watch YouTube videos on the first-ever Wi-Fi iPod. You can also search, preview, and buy songs from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store on iPod touch.

iPod nano (7th generation Mid 2015)

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 16 GB

• Model number and dates introduced: A1446: July 2015

iPod nano (7th generation)

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 16 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1446: October 2012

iPod nano (6th generation)

• Navigation: Multi-Touch display

• Capacity: 8 and 16 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1366: September 2010

iPod nano (5th generation)

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 8 and 16 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1320: September 2009

You can distinguish the iPod nano (5th generation) from previous iPod nano models by:

• Its taller screen when compared to iPod nano (4th generation)

• Its polished anodized aluminum finish

• The inclusion of a camera and microphone on the back of the device

iPod nano (4th generation)

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 8 and 16 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1285: September 2008

You can distinguish the iPod nano (4th generation) from previous iPod nano models by:

• Its taller screen

• Its curved surface

• Its oval shape when seen from the top or bottom

• The inclusion of an accelerometer that is used by the Shake feature.

iPod nano (3rd generation)

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 4 and 8 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1236: September 2007

You can distinguish the iPod nano (3rd generation) from previous iPod nano models by:

• Its wider screen

• Hold switch is on the bottom

• Its ability to play video

The last three characters of the serial number will be one of these: YOP, YOR, YXR, YXT, YXV, or YXX.

iPod nano (2nd generation)

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 2, 4, and 8 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1199: September 2006

You can distinguish the iPod nano (2nd generation) from other models by:

• Its smaller size

• Its colors

• The dock connector and headphone port are both located on the bottom of the device

iPod nano

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 1, 2, and 4 GB

• Model numbers and dates introduced:

  • A1137: February 2006

  • A1137: September 2005

iPod nano is smaller than iPod mini and has a color screen and a Click Wheel but has flash memory instead of a hard drive. You sync music and photos with a USB 2 cable—not FireWire. The capacity of the iPod nano is engraved on the back of the case.

iPod shuffle (4th generation Mid 2015)

• Navigation: Control Pad

• Capacity: 2 GB

• Model number and dates introduced: A1373: July 2015

iPod shuffle (4th generation Late 2012)

• Navigation: Control Pad

• Capacity: 2 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1373: September 2012

iPod shuffle (4th generation)

• Navigation: Control Pad

• Capacity: 2 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1373: September 2010

iPod shuffle (3rd generation Late 2009)

• Navigation: Apple Earphones with Remote

• Capacity: 2 and 4 GB

• Model number and dates introduced: A1271: September 2009

iPod shuffle (3rd generation Late 2009) includes a three-position switch that toggles between off, play in order, and shuffle, similar to the original iPod shuffle. This model has a headphone port that also connects to a computer's USB port. It has a clip similar to the iPod shuffle (2nd generation). iPod shuffle (3rd generation Late 2009) is smaller than the previous generations and has one status light. Previous iPod shuffle generations had two.

iPod shuffle (3rd generation)

• Navigation: Apple Earphones with Remote

• Capacity: 4 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1271: March 2009

iPod shuffle (3rd generation) includes a single 3-position switch that toggles between off, play in order, and shuffle similar to the original iPod shuffle. This model has a headphone port that also connects to a computer's USB port. It has a clip similar to the iPod shuffle (2nd generation). iPod shuffle (3rd generation) is smaller than the previous generations and has one status light. Previous iPod shuffle generations had two.

iPod shuffle (2nd generation)

• Navigation: Control Pad

• Capacity: 1 and 2 GB

• Model numbers and dates introduced:

  • A1204: February 2008

  • A1204: September 2006

iPod shuffle (2nd generation) is smaller than the original iPod shuffle and has no USB connector.

The last three characters of the serial number will be one of these: 1ZH, 1ZK, 1ZM, 1ZP, or 1ZR.

iPod shuffle

• Navigation: Control Pad

• Capacity: 512 MB and 1 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1112: January 2005

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.

iPod mini (2nd generation)

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 4 and 6 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1051: February 2005

You can distinguish the iPod mini (2nd generation) models from the original iPod mini models by:

• The hard-drive size is engraved on back of the device

• The Click Wheel text color matches the color of the device

iPod mini

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 4 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1051: January 2004

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

iPod classic 160 GB (Late 2009)

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 160 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1238: September 2009

The iPod classic 160 GB (Late 2009) is a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. It uses USB for syncing.

iPod classic (120 GB)

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 120 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1238: September 2008

The iPod classic (120 GB) is a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. It uses USB for syncing.

iPod classic

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 80 and 160 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1238: September 2007

The iPod classic is a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. It uses USB for syncing.

The last three characters of the serial number will be one of these: Y5N, YMU, YMV, or YMX.

iPod (5th generation Late 2006)—also known as iPod with video or Fifth Generation iPod

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 30 and 80 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1238: September 2006

The last three characters of the serial number will be one of these: V9K, V9P, V9M, V9R, V9L, V9N, V9Q, V9S, WU9, WUA, WUB, WUC, or X3N. The Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (30 GB Late 2006) serial number's last three characters are W9G.

iPod (5th generation)—also known as iPod with video or Fifth Generation iPod

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 30 and 60 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1238: October 2005

The iPod (5th generation) is a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. It uses USB for syncing.

iPod Special Edition U2

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 20 and 30 GB

• Model numbers and dates introduced:

  • A1136: September 2006

  • A1136: June 2006

  • A1099: June 2005

  • A1059: October 2004

The iPod Special Edition U2 is a standard iPod model with some differences, including: Black plastic exterior, red Click Wheel, signatures of the U2 band members engraved on the back, and "iPod Special Edition U2" engraved on the back.

The first model was based on an iPod (Click Wheel) with a 20 GB hard drive. In June 2005, a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that was based on an iPod with color display. These are both also considered fourth-generation iPod models. In June 2006, a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that is based on a 5th-generation iPod (also known as iPod with video) with a 30 GB hard drive. In September 2006, a model based on the iPod (5th generation Late 2006) was introduced.

The last three characters of the serial number are W9G.

iPod with color display

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 20 and 60 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1099: June 2005

iPod and iPod photo are now one and the same, with every white iPod boasting a full-color display. They continue to have the same controls as iPod (Click Wheel) but now all models have a color display like iPod photo—ideal for viewing album artwork and playing slideshows. These are considered fourth-generation models along with iPod (Click Wheel).

iPod photo (also known as iPod with color display)

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 30, 40, and 60 GB

• Model numbers and dates introduced:

  • A1099: February 2005

  • A1099: October 2004

iPod photo models are functionally and visually identical to the iPod with color display (see above photo).

iPod (Click Wheel)

• Navigation: Click Wheel

• Capacity: 20 and 40 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1059: July 2004

iPod (Click Wheel) models have a Click Wheel like the iPod mini, but are larger and the hold switch is on the top-right side. iPod (Click Wheel) models have a monochrome display. iPod (Click Wheel) is referred to as the fourth-generation iPod.

iPod (Dock Connector)

• Navigation: Touch Wheel

• Capacity: 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 GB

• Model numbers and dates introduced:

  • A1040: September 2003

  • A1040: April 2003

iPod (dock connector) models have a dock connector on the bottom.

Newer iPod models like iPod (Click Wheel) and iPod mini also have a dock connector, but the iPod (Dock Connector) has a touch wheel instead of a Click Wheel and the four control buttons are above the touch wheel. iPod (Dock Connector) models are referred to as third-generation iPod models.

iPod (Touch Wheel)

• Navigation: Touch Wheel

• Capacity: 10 and 20 GB

• Model number and date introduced: A1019: July 2002

All iPod (Touch Wheel) models have a FireWire port cover. Scroll wheel models don't, and dock connector models don't have a FireWire port. The iPod (Touch Wheel) model controls look similar to the iPod (Scroll Wheel) but the touch wheel itself doesn't turn. iPod (Touch Wheel) models are considered second-generation iPod models.

iPod (Scroll Wheel)

• Navigation: Scroll Wheel

• Capacity: 5 and 10 GB

• Model numbers and dates introduced:

  • M8541: March 2002

  • M8541: October 2001

iPod (Scroll Wheel) models have a scroll wheel that physically turns. The controls (Play, Menu, Next, Previous) are in a circle around the wheel. iPod (Scroll Wheel) models are referred to as first-generation iPod models.