Does the Aplle Support Community for iPod Classics still exists?

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Does the Aplle Support Community for iPod Classics still exists?

Sent detailed question about ALL of my 160GB iPod Classics being stuck in a recovery mode/restore loop despite repeated iPod restores through iTunes 12.12.7.1. NEVER received a response from anyone. Thus I'm trying to determine if Apple is no longer supporting iPod classic tecnhnical problems in any way, shape or form.

If that's the case I'm extremely disappointed as I've invested thousands of dollars and thousands of man-hours in accumulating over 300,000 songs spread across 9 iPod Classics over the past years.

If some support does exists, it would seem only right to get some advice/guidance given the investments I've made in your product.

iPod Classic

Posted on Dec 20, 2022 4:33 PM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

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Dec 21, 2022 8:07 AM in response to regentpark3

These are user to user support forums. People follow the forums that interest them. Sometimes Community Specialists will wade in with questions that haven't had any replies, but again they may only do this in certain areas of the community.

iPod classic is now classed as an obsolete product and probably doesn't get any real love from Apple any more. See Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support.

As for the reboot loop see my user tip Corrupt iPod Classic - Apple Community. Perhaps you can restore it using the DFU restore method. Failing that if you use Windows try to get a Mac owning friend to restore it for you, or vice versa, or try reformatting the device using the operating system's formatting tools. If you can read off the HDD stats it would be useful to see them in case they indicate any underlying issues with the drive.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

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Dec 21, 2022 5:56 PM in response to regentpark3

I don't know why restore loops happen. I'm an end user like you, trying to share what knowledge I've gleaned over the years. DFU restores and reformatting are alternative restore methods that may, potentially, lead to a break in the cycle. No guarantees are made.

(Again) Read the linked article. It states that Apple consider iPod classic to be obsolete. Not suitable for out of warranty servicing. I think it is also likely that Apple are not that invested in providing software support to a line of products that are no longer sold. By all means try out Official Apple Support. I may be doing them an injustice. That lack of a response to your unanswered post from a Community Specialist hints that they are not actively monitoring this forum, which you can read as you wish.
Again, I am an end user, not Apple. I'm sure cold hard economics explain exactly why Apple shut down production of the iPod classic range, just as more recently they stopped producing the iPod touch.
You could be correct. I've certainly advised downgrading in the past as a potential workaround for a novel issue. Here are some handy links for you to save you having to track them down. You'll need to remove all Apple software first before installing the older build.

iTunes 12.12.6.1 for Windows (32-bit) - iTunesSetup.exe (2022-10-20)
iTunes 12.12.6.1 for Windows (64-bit) - iTunes64Setup.exe (2022-10-20)

tt2

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Answer 3

regentpark3 Author

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Dec 21, 2022 5:34 PM in response to turingtest2

I appreciate the response, but do find it quite confusing,or troubling, on several points. They are:

Supposedly iTunes 12.12.7.1 did the restores (apparently very many times on all 9 of my iPods.). So why should I need to perform a DFU if iTunes restore does what it's supposed to do? Is restore software not functioning properly in 12.12.7.1? If it were, I would think performing an extraordinary DFU action would not be necessary.

You note that iPod Classics are not supported (personally I find that very insulting and callous to customers such as myself who've invested thousands of $s and man-years of efforts in maintaining these devices), but Apple DOES keep updating iTunes. So since they want people to use iTunes, it seems the software ought to support any Apple device interacting with it. What am I missing here?
My present iPod Classics can maintain and play anywhere from 35,000 to 50,000 songs depending on their size. So while you arbitrarily decided you will no longer sell/service iPod Classic's, why have you not offered your LOYAL customers a current product that supports previous capabilities? New products should support MORE of a service; not LESS, and even worse, you should not abandon customers entirely which seems to be the case here.
Last note: I DID do a DFU on one of my iPod Classics and STILL got iPod in recovery mode message when it was re-attached to iTunes. Thus my concern about the efficacy of the restore software in 12.12.7.1. Is the actual solution to go back one version of iTunes, since I had no iPod issues when using the previous version?

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Answer 4

regentpark3 Author

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25 points

Dec 21, 2022 8:20 PM in response to turingtest2

Thank you for your response. It is helpful, and I will likely go back to an earlier version of iTunes to see if it resolves the ugly mess I'm in.

I hear what you say about Apple and economics, but I'll no longer be inclined to recommend them or buy their products due to their lack of conscience and integrity in continuing to support what once was a very expensive product to buy, and what was always a "p... i. t.. a.." when trying to work with it from a technical perspective. User-friendliness and quality customer service were never part of the Apple platform and mind-set, and it's unfortunate it's taken me this long to really see and acknowledge that.

Thanks again for your timely and supportive response. It is appreciated.

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Answer 5

turingtest2

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274,576 points

Dec 22, 2022 1:32 AM in response to regentpark3

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2

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Does the Aplle Support Community for iPod Classics still exists?

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