If your iPod touch won't turn on or is frozen

If your iPod touch has a frozen screen, doesn't respond when you touch it, or becomes stuck when you turn it on, learn what to do.

If your screen is black or frozen

Follow the steps for your device.

On your iPod touch (7th generation)

  1. Press and hold both the top button and the volume down button until you see the Apple logo.
    An iPod touch with arrows pointing to the top button and the volume down button.
  2. If your iPod touch doesn't turn on, follow these steps to check your hardware and charge your device. You might need to charge for up to an hour.
  3. If your iPod touch still doesn't turn on, contact Apple Support.

On your iPod touch (6th generation) or earlier

  1. Press and hold both the Home button and the top button until you see the Apple logo.
    An iPod touch with arrows pointing to the Home button and the top button.
  2. If your iPod touch doesn't turn on, follow these steps to check your hardware and charge your device. You might need to charge for up to an hour.
  3. If your iPod touch still doesn't turn on, contact Apple Support.

If your iPod touch turns on but gets stuck during start up

If you see the Apple logo or a red or blue screen during startup, try these steps:

  1. Connect your iPod touch to a computer. On a Mac with macOS Catalina, open the Finder. On a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, or on a PC, open iTunes. Find out which macOS your Mac is using.
  2. Locate your device on your computer.
  3. While your device is connected, follow these steps:
    • On your iPod touch (7th generation): Press and hold both the top button and volume down button.
      An iPod touch with arrows pointing to the top button and the volume down button.
    • On your iPod touch (6th generation) or earlier: Press and hold both the Home button and the top button.
      An iPod touch with arrows pointing to the Home button and the top button.
  4. Keep holding the buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.
    An iPod touch showing the restore screen.
  5. When you get the option to restore or update, choose Update.
    A Finder window showing a prompt with the choice to update or restore your iPod touch. Update is selected.
  6. Your computer will download the software for your device. If it takes more than 15 minutes, your iPod touch will exit recovery mode. Repeat steps 2-4.

If you need more help

Contact Apple Support to set up service.

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