Frequently asked questions

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.

• Three-band custom EQ with adjustable filter types, frequency, gain, Q and precut.
• Play next from song context menus.
• An experimental Doom port.

The Doom port currently has no audio or saving.

Currently, iPod classic 7th generation Rev B, models MC293 and MC297, running Apple firmware 2.0.4 with FAT32 storage.

6th and 6.5th generation iPod classic models aren’t currently supported. Support for more iPod classic models is planned.

5th and 5.5th generation iPods aren’t currently supported. Their firmware is significantly different, so supporting them would require a separate effort. This may be explored in the future, but there are no firm plans yet.

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.

Play next adds a selected song immediately after the current track through the song’s context menu.

It currently works during normal forward playback with Shuffle and Repeat One disabled. If the option is missing, check those settings and make sure a track is playing. Shuffle support is on the wishlist.

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.

The installer targets macOS on Intel and Apple Silicon, and 64-bit Windows. Check the latest release for available downloads. Linux isn’t currently a packaged or verified option.

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.

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

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.

A restore option that keeps your data is coming soon.

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

Report an issue on GitHub. Include your iPod model, computer’s operating system, installer version, and what happened. If there’s an error message, include it too.