RepriseOS

Frequently asked questions

What is RepriseOS? Is it based on Rockbox?

RepriseOS modifies Apple’s original iPod firmware while keeping its familiar interface and playback system. It uses a modified Rockbox bootloader to start the firmware.

RepriseOS is not a Rockbox fork or skin.

What features does it add?
  • Three-band custom EQ with adjustable filter types, frequency, gain, Q and precut.
  • Play Next and Play Last from song context menus.
  • EU volume limit removal for European iPods.
  • Song Info from song and Now Playing context menus.
  • Album Artists browsing with Artist fallback and configurable menu visibility.
  • Dark Mode (work in progress).

The game SDK and Doom port are on hold and aren’t included in current builds.

Which iPods are supported?

iPod classic 6G, 6.5G and 7G. FAT32 storage is required.

iPod video (5G/5.5G), nano, mini, shuffle and touch aren’t supported.

Which Apple firmware file do I need?

Select iPod_38.2.0.5.ipsw in the installer for every supported iPod classic. RepriseOS uses Apple 2.0.5 as its base; your iPod can keep an older version of the original Apple firmware.

Can I keep the original firmware and Rockbox?

Yes. Choose which system to start when you turn on or restart your iPod:

  • No buttons: RepriseOS.
  • Hold Menu or enable the Hold switch: original Apple firmware.
  • Hold Play/Pause: Rockbox.

Rockbox must be installed separately.

Does it support FLAC, Opus or other additional formats?

RepriseOS currently uses Apple’s existing audio-format support. Additional codecs are being considered, but none have been added and there’s no promised release date.

Does the installer work on macOS, Windows and Linux?

The installer is available for macOS on Intel and Apple Silicon, 64-bit Windows, and x86-64 Linux as DEB, RPM and AppImage packages. See the download page for available downloads.

Is it safe?

RepriseOS uses Rockbox’s established bootloader installation method and stores its modified firmware as two files on your iPod. Your original Apple firmware and music are preserved during installation.

If something goes wrong, a full DFU restore using Apple’s software can normally return a working iPod to its original firmware, but it erases your data. Recovery isn’t guaranteed if the hardware itself fails.

RepriseOS is still experimental. Back up your iPod before installing.

My Mac asks to restore my iPod, but the installer doesn’t detect DFU mode

macOS device discovery can interfere with DFU detection. Dismiss the restore prompt, then open Terminal and temporarily pause device discovery:

sudo killall -STOP AMPDeviceDiscoveryAgent

Put your iPod back into DFU mode using the installer’s instructions.

When you’re finished, even if you cancel installation, resume normal device discovery:

sudo killall -CONT AMPDeviceDiscoveryAgent

How do I uninstall RepriseOS?

Back up your iPod first. Connect it in disk mode and remove these two files from the iPod’s root folder:

  • osos-cfw.bin
  • cfw-loader.bin

Then replace the RepriseOS bootloader using one of these methods:

  • Return to Apple firmware: put the iPod in DFU mode and restore it using Finder or iTunes. This erases the iPod’s data.
  • Use Rockbox: install the standard Rockbox bootloader using the latest Rockbox Utility from the Rockbox website.

The installer doesn’t currently include an uninstall option.

Can I request a feature?

Check the feature wishlist and existing issues, then suggest improvements in the firmware repository. Wishlist entries are ideas to investigate, not promised features.

Something else going wrong?

Report firmware problems in the firmware repository and installation problems in the installer repository. Include your iPod model, RepriseOS or installer version, and what happened. For installer problems, include your computer’s operating system and any error message.