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iPod Q&A - Updated November 21, 2011

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What are the minimum system requirements for the iPod? Will the iPod work with my computer?

The below chart shows the minimum version of the MacOS and Windows that will allow each iPod to function. Please refer to the detailed specs page for each model for additional hardware and software requirements.

iPod Name

Minimum Mac OS

Minimum Windows

iPod (Original/Scroll)

MacOS 9.2.1/X 10.1

None*

iPod 2G (Touch Wheel)

MacOS 9.2.2/X 10.1.4

Windows Me/2000/XP

iPod 3G 10/15/30

MacOS X 10.1.5

Windows 2000/XP

iPod 3G 10/20/40

MacOS X 10.1.5

Windows 2000/XP

iPod 3G 15/20/40

MacOS X 10.1.5

Windows 2000/XP

iPod 4th Gen

MacOS X 10.1.5

Windows 2000/XP

iPod U2 4th Gen

MacOS X 10.1.5

Windows 2000/XP

iPod photo (30)

MacOS X 10.2.8

Windows 2000/XP

iPod photo (40/60)

MacOS X 10.2.8

Windows 2000/XP

iPod Color Display

MacOS X 10.2.8

Windows 2000/XP

iPod U2 Edition (Color)

MacOS X 10.2.8

Windows 2000/XP

iPod 5th Gen (Video)

MacOS X 10.3.9

Windows 2000/XP

iPod U2 5th Gen

MacOS X 10.3.9

Windows 2000/XP

iPod 5th Gen Enh.

MacOS X 10.3.9

Windows 2000/XP

iPod U2 5th Gen (E)

MacOS X 10.3.9

Windows 2000/XP

iPod classic (Orig.)

MacOS X 10.4.8

Windows Vista/XP SP2

iPod classic (2008)

MacOS X 10.4.11

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod classic (2009)

MacOS X 10.4.11/10.6.8*

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod mini

MacOS X 10.1.5

Windows 2000/XP

iPod mini 2nd Gen

MacOS X 10.2.8

Windows 2000/XP

iPod nano

MacOS X 10.3.4

Windows 2000/XP

iPod nano 2nd Gen

MacOS X 10.3.9

Windows 2000/XP

iPod nano 2G (RED)

MacOS X 10.3.9

Windows 2000/XP

iPod nano 3rd Gen

MacOS X 10.4.8

Windows Vista/XP SP2

iPod nano 4th Gen

MacOS X 10.4.11

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod nano 5th Gen

MacOS X 10.4.11

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod nano 6th Gen

MacOS X 10.5.8

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod shuffle

MacOS X 10.2.8

Windows 2000/XP

iPod shuffle 2G

MacOS X 10.3.9

Windows 2000/XP

iPod shuffle 2G Color

MacOS X 10.3.9

Windows 2000/XP

iPod shuffle 2G '07

MacOS X 10.4.8

Windows 2000/XP SP2

iPod shuffle 2G '08

MacOS X 10.4.10

Windows 2000/XP SP2

iPod shuffle 3rd Gen

MacOS X 10.4.11

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod shuffle 3rd Gen

MacOS X 10.4.11

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod shuffle 4th Gen

MacOS X 10.5.8

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod touch

MacOS X 10.4.10

Windows Vista/XP SP2

iPod touch 2nd Gen

MacOS X 10.4.10

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod touch 3rd Gen

MacOS X 10.4.11

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod touch 4th Gen

MacOS X 10.5.8

Windows Vista/XP SP3

iPod touch "4.5" Gen

MacOS X 10.5.8

Windows Vista/XP SP3

*The second revision of the 5 GB iPod (Scroll Wheel), retained when the 10 GB and 20 GB "2nd Gen/Touch Wheel" models were introduced, was available in a Windows compatible version (M8697LL/A).

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