You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Adding a Bluetooth transmitter to iPod Classic

I'm looking for any information about adding a bluetooth transmitter to in iPod classic. Does any one have any experience with this and which third party devices work best?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Nov 27, 2024 12:08 PM

Reply
2 replies

Nov 28, 2024 2:56 AM in response to MotherRaphaela

I don't have an answer for you, but based on my expediences as a former iPod Classic owner (it failed), here are some points to consider:


  • The iPod Classic has the 30-pin Dock connector, so obviously you would need to find a Bluetooth (BT) transmitter that has the 30-pin plug on it. It's an old format, so you might have to hunt out the type you require
  • Next, and this is probably the more important thing to consider, a BT transmitter requires power. If it has its own power supply (such as an in-built rechargeable battery) that's fine. But if it takes power from the iPod (as some do), that can be a problem:
    • first of all, a BT transmitter talking power from the iPod will drain the iPod's battery more quickly
    • second, if the iPod's battery is reaching the end of its life (i.e. it's several years old), then that battery may not be able to handle powering the BT device as well


One other thing to consider (as a former Classic owner myself) is that it contains a hard drive (a physical disc, that has moving parts). Those hard drives can and do fail, as mine did. Age is a factor in this regard, so I personally think you should take this into account as you have no way to know how much life is left in that iPod.


Bearing all the above in mind, I personally would start considering alternatives to your iPod Classic. Apple no longer make any iPod, so your choices as I see it are:

    • iPad
    • iPad mini
    • iPhone
    • Android phone
    • Android tablet (mini sized if you can find one*)
    • Android MP3 player (MP3 is a generic term. In other words, an Android based digital music player)


* I mention a mini-sized tablet. If you were to go the tablet route, a standard sized tablet (10 inches) is a bit big to carry around away from home. Even in a car it could be in the way. A smaller tablet would fit more easily into a bag, or even a large pocket.


Good luck with your task.

Nov 28, 2024 5:40 AM in response to the fiend

Thank you for your reply and your thoughts - I agree 100% with what you've said and I know I'm looking for a solution for a product with an unknow life expectancy.

But, it's got 120 Gig drive and I don't feel like I can afford a phone with that kind of storage space so I'm going to try to keep it working as long as I can.

Again, thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.

Adding a Bluetooth transmitter to iPod Classic

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.