160gb & 80gb iPod Format to FAT32 with Catalina

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Level 1

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160gb & 80gb iPod Format to FAT32 with Catalina

Help!!!

I have been really struggling to restore these two ipods to FAT32 so I can put them back into my vehicle which has Ford Sync2. The USB will only see FAT formatted devices. I wanted to change the music out on both so I restored both using Music under the latest version of Catalina and it reverted them back to Mac format. I could not find an option to change the format with a restore to FAT32. I installed iTunes on two different PC's and both were unsuccessful in restoring the iPods to FAT. They both work great but I cannot use them in my vehicle with the Mac formatting.

Please let me know if I can get these back to FAT32 under Catalina and the Music app.

Eric

Posted on Jun 24, 2020 8:02 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,885 points

Jun 24, 2020 8:41 AM in response to ChunkyTman

Catalina does not play nicely with FAT32 formatted iPods. See Corrupt iPod Classic - Apple Community and try the DFU restore method from Windows. You'll also need to use Windows to load up the music.

tt2

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Answer 2

ChunkyTman Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 24, 2020 8:50 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks, but not what I really wanted to hear. why would Apple do this? It seems the whole Music App right from the beginning was just completely destroyed. iTunes was very flexible and worked well. Music has been a train wreck from day one, Sync issues, Artwork Issues, iPod Issues and etc. I miss the good ole days of Apple

Eric

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,885 points

Jun 24, 2020 9:12 AM in response to ChunkyTman

People have complained about iTunes being bloatware for years. Something needed to be done. This was something? Whatever the reason I spent several weeks trying to coax Catalina to sync more than a few tracks in FAT32 mode before concluding it wasn't ever going to be happy. I've kept installs of High Sierra and Mojave around so I've used iTunes 12.6.5.3 in HS to restore my iPod Clickwheel games and Catalina to load up Music. I don't need to keep mine in FAT32 for any other purpose.

tt2

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160gb & 80gb iPod Format to FAT32 with Catalina

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