What are the minimum system requirements for the iPod? Will iPod work with my computer?: Everyi.com

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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