iPod Shuffle (2nd Generation) won't connect to a MacBook Pro

Question

Level 1

8 points

iPod Shuffle (2nd Generation) won't connect to a MacBook Pro

I have several iPod Shuffles (2nd Generation). They all work with my old MacBook (running 10.6.8 and iTunes 11.4). But a newly acquired 2GB one will:

Connect and work with MacBook (OS 10.6.8 + iTunes 11.4)

Connect and be recognized as an iPod by Lenovo p50 (iTunes 12.9.4.102 for Windows)

Will not be recognized by MacBook Pro (OS10.14.6 + iTunes 12.9.5.5)

Or more specifically, it's not recognized by iTunes on the MacBook Pro. In Apple menu > System information > System report > Hardware > USB > USB 3.0 it shows up as an iPod device when connected, but never shows up within iTunes, either when it already has something on it, or when it's been freshly restored, either with the iTunes from the MacBook or the Lenovo.

I have restored it several times, I have used four different 2nd Gen connector docks, I have connected a different 2GB iPod Shuffle 2nd Gen to the MacBook Pro and that different one works fine.

Any suggestions?

Posted on Oct 14, 2019 3:40 PM

Reply

Answer 1

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Oct 20, 2019 11:24 AM in response to 3_1415

Hello 3_1415,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities. From what I understand, one specific iPod Shuffle is not being recognized on a MacBook Pro, but is recognized on other devices. I'll do what I can to help.

Work through any steps you haven't completed already here, specifically step 4 under 'If you use a Mac': If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod

If you're still having issues, try seeing if it can be recognized o that MacBook Pro in safe mode: Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac

Cheers.

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Answer 2

Oct 27, 2019 10:03 AM in response to 3_1415

3_1415,

Thanks for the additional details regarding what's going on with the iPod shuffle.

Since it's happening everywhere on the Mac, the next best steps are to reinstall macOS which reinstalls iTunes: How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery

If you're still having issues, reach out to Apple Support: Contact Apple Support

Take care.

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Answer 3

3_1415 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 25, 2019 12:02 PM in response to jeremy_v

jeremy_v,

Thank you.

All steps in "If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod" had already been checked and completed.

In Safe Mode on the MacBook Pro, the problematic iPod Shuffle is not recognized at all, i.e., the same behavior as before. In Safe Mode on the MacBook Pro all the other formerly working iPod Shuffles now give the following message when connected - "iTunes has detected an iPod that appears to be corrupted. You may need to restore this iPod before it can be used with iTunes. You may also try disconnecting and reconnecting the iPod." Disconnecting and reconnecting resulted in the same message.

After restarting the MacBook Pro in Normal mode, the formerly working iPod Shuffles work properly as before. The problematic iPod is still not recognized, as before.

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Answer 4

3_1415 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 28, 2019 9:40 AM in response to Nicholas_B2

Nicolas_B2,

It is not happening "everywhere on the Mac." Please review the original post to see that the issue appears to be only with the interaction between the particular combination of the problematic iPod Shuffle and the MacBook Pro. Connecting a different 2GB 2nd Gen iPod Shuffle that says it has the same version of iPod software on it works perfectly with the MacBook Pro (OS10.14.6) and iTunes 12.9.5.5.

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