Can't Do A Factory Reset On An iPod Touch

Jordan2 · ‎03-16-2010

I have an old iPod Touch, 2014 give or take a year either way. The home button is stuck (has been for a long time). Of course it no longer holds a charge, however it was still working up til about a week ago. Now the screen with the apple comes on, but that's it, I can't turn it on. I replaced the iPod Touch, I would like to erase any personal information I have on it but since I can't turn it on I don't know what to do. I can't get the backing off without a special flat tool (there are no screws). Is my only option to smash it with a hammer?!

Big Joanie · ‎01-02-2015

OMG .. I had the same problem last week .. the thing just locked

up .. so I sent it to my son ... my tech person ....he couldn't do

anything with it .. so he called Apple tech support .. and the

woman told him it was old enough .. .it was probably not

worth doing anything with .....

By the way I HATE electroncis ....!! just sayin .....

Still Raining · ‎03-30-2014

My shuffle died this year. Still hard to talk about it sniff sniff.

So I got the brand new one, 7th gen? So nice.

I think yours is a goner.

tennpal15 · ‎03-09-2010

@Jordan2 wrote:
I have an old iPod Touch, 2014 give or take a year either way. The home button is stuck (has been for a long time). Of course it no longer holds a charge, however it was still working up til about a week ago. Now the screen with the apple comes on, but that's it, I can't turn it on. I replaced the iPod Touch, I would like to erase any personal information I have on it but since I can't turn it on I don't know what to do. I can't get the backing off without a special flat tool (there are no screws). Is my only option to smash it with a hammer?!

Have you tried YouTube ?

My iPod Touch (newer model) won't hold a charge for very long ~ they have turtorials on replacing the battery. I'm assuming that might get you started.

I had a battery on my shopping list for Amazon, but it's temporarily out of stock. I was obviously somewhat reluctant to "operate" on my device since it's still working.

I would look on YouTube and see ~ you've got nothing to lose, right?

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

@Jordan2 wrote:
I have an old iPod Touch, 2014 give or take a year either way. The home button is stuck (has been for a long time). Of course it no longer holds a charge, however it was still working up til about a week ago. Now the screen with the apple comes on, but that's it, I can't turn it on. I replaced the iPod Touch, I would like to erase any personal information I have on it but since I can't turn it on I don't know what to do. I can't get the backing off without a special flat tool (there are no screws). Is my only option to smash it with a hammer?!

remove from your apple ID

to do this search for "how to remove a device from your apple ID"

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@Jordan2

iPod Touch manuals - copy/paste link---> https://support.apple.com/en_US/manuals/ipod

I've had my iPod Nano 5th gen w/video since 2009. My battery still holds a charge like new.

The only time it's NOT charging is when I am using it out & about. Otherwise, it's charging while hooked up to my receiver/cable/USB charger/AC adapter and charging when hooked up in my car through USB.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

deeva · ‎03-09-2010

What a coincidence, last week every time I tried to play a podcast, my iPod touch would go back to the main menu.

My iPod is probably 10 years old. I was able to reset it and it now works. But I did go online and look at buying a new one.

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

Getting rid of the data on a dead device can be challenging. Apple likely used a SSD in 2014, so hammering it likely won't help a lot. The website ifixit likely has detailed directions on how to get into it and also where the SSD is once you're inside. I would definitely not recycle it. Apple doesn't sell repair parts so Apple devices turned in for recycling tend to get stripped of working parts that then get reused. I wouldn't trust a recycler to wipe the data. The good news is an i-Pod is a small enough device that plopping it on the top shelf at the back of a closet isn't a bad idea. Just put it there, forget it's there and you don't have to worry about your data.

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!

Jordan2 · ‎03-16-2010

@gardenman wrote:
Getting rid of the data on a dead device can be challenging. Apple likely used a SSD in 2014, so hammering it likely won't help a lot. The website ifixit likely has detailed directions on how to get into it and also where the SSD is once you're inside. I would definitely not recycle it. Apple doesn't sell repair parts so Apple devices turned in for recycling tend to get stripped of working parts that then get reused. I wouldn't trust a recycler to wipe the data. The good news is an i-Pod is a small enough device that plopping it on the top shelf at the back of a closet isn't a bad idea. Just put it there, forget it's there and you don't have to worry about your data.

@gardenman I went to this website, there is no way I could do this! According to them the back panel is very difficult to take off, you need the flat tool to pry apart the panels, not really worth the trouble. I can keep it for now, but at some point I would like to get rid of it but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing so with my information still left in it.