Updating or Restoring an iPod’s Software

Apple is continually improving the iPod’s software to add features, make it even more stable, and so on. You should periodically check for new iPod software and, when you find it, install it on your iPod—this is called updating the iPod’s software. When you are having major problems with your iPod or just want to completely reformat it, you can also restore its software to return it to factory settings.
You do both of these tasks in the same way, as the following steps show:

1. Open a Web browser and move to www.apple.com/support/ipod/. You’ll see the iPod Support page
2. Locate and click the link for the latest iPod or iPod mini software for your computer’s OS, such as Mac OS X or Windows XP. You’ll move to the iPod Software Update page.
3. Complete the form, click the radio button for your OS, and click Download Update. The update will be downloaded to your computer. Notice the name of the application you download and where you store it on your computer.
4. Launch the iPod Update application— in some cases, it will run automatically after you download it. On the Mac, you’ll see the iPod Software Updater application. On Windows PCs, you will have to restart your computer after running the Setup application. Then, choose Start menu, iPod, System Software, Updater. You’ll then see the Updater application for Windows.
5. Connect the iPod you want to update or restore to your computer.
6. If you want to install the latest version of the iPod software on your iPod, click the Update button. If you want to restore your iPod, click Restore instead.
7. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update or restore process.

After you have updated your iPod, you can continue using it as you did before the update.
If you restored your iPod, you will have to perform an update from iTunes to load your music back onto it. You’ll also have to replace any calendar or contact information you want to store on it.