iPod Touch 4G Docking Problems!

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iPod Touch 4G Docking Problems!

I bought a iPod Touch 32GB 4th Generation from a local store yesterday. I think the iPod is great and well worth it. However, i also have a Sony Dream Machine SRS-GU10iP Dock. When an attempt to plug the iPod in is made it fails to dock. It doesn't even plug in, its like something is blocking it. We have a range of speakers such as a Sony ICF-CL75iP and a Altec Lancing inMotion iM600 dock. All three of these docks do not allow the iPod touch in. Please help!

iPod Touch 4th Generation, iOS 4

Posted on Nov 28, 2010 7:04 AM

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Answer 1

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911jason

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Dec 29, 2010 9:08 PM in response to TazD

When I went to the Apple store this morning, the tech tried my iPod on my dock that I brought with me, then took his own iPod/iPhone (not sure which) out of his pocket and tried it on my dock and he could see that mine didn't work, but his worked perfectly. So it wasn't the dock. He said no problem and immediately switched mine out for a new one. Took about 10 minutes. Before I left the store, I tried the new one on my dock and it slid on effortlessly. If you are having this problem, take your iPod to the nearest Apple store and get it exchanged while it's still in the one year warranty. If you don't have a store near you, I'd suggest doing as Otto did and call up Apple. Refer them to this thread if necessary, but you should be able to get help.

Good luck all!

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Dec 14, 2010 7:55 AM in response to edvanwest

The issue is that the dimension of the 3G and 4G are a little different. For Apples' Universal Dock they sell a 4G insert to make it dock satisfactorily. From the following you can tell the difference between the 3G and 4G.
http://devimages.apple.com/programs/mfi/dimensions/iPodtouch_Late_09_32_64v3.pdf
http://devimages.apple.com/programs/mfi/dimensions/iPodtouch_4thgen.pdf

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Answer 3

Jan 5, 2011 12:17 PM in response to BigDave101

hi, I have a new 4G touch and a previous gen apple dock, they would not physically connect until I noticed that the dock connecter pins plastic ends were raised at each end I filed both of these flat and now it fits and works perfectly

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Answer 4

mlmrmo

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Jan 23, 2011 2:14 PM in response to gehurlston

I had a 4G touch and could not dock it into several different docking stations within the home. Called Apple to address this issue and their tech support said it was NOT a ipod issue, it must be the docking stations. Luckily, I had the receipt and exchanged it for a new one today and guess what????? It worked in every system I own. It is a SHAME Apple fails to address this issue!!! Poor manufacturing from this company. You can not treat people like I was treated by their tech support for long without it catching up with them. Definately an Ipod issue.

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Answer 5

Jun 3, 2011 5:55 AM in response to gehurlston

gehurlston, and all the rest of you guys who wrote about this problem, THANK YOU! I ran into the same problem with docking that was described in these comments. Same story: went to Best Buy, nothing fit, "oh, it must be your port". Called Apple: "oh, it must have been (all ?!) defective docks (or not compatable to 4G). (Or my favorite: "Have you downloaded the latest updates?)

So I found your string of comments, printed them out, took them and my trusty iPod to my local Apple Store, and --- Voila!!! A new iPod swap.

Admittedly, the Apple guy was dubious at first. (I'm used to that, me being a blonde and all.) But after some gentle persistance, the guy tried it on some of the store docking stations and confirmed it didn't mechanically fit. He saw a burr of plastic that impeded connection, and determined that there was a defect. And swapped it out. I couldn't be happier.

I think this must be a relatively isolated problem -- that only *we* in this discussion got a bad batch. If it were global, there'd be much more of an uproar. And that would explain why the central office is unaware.

So, guys - before you take a knife to the port (which I was ready to do) try one last ditch effort and take it to the store. BEFORE the warranty runs out!!

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Answer 6

Dec 28, 2011 12:15 PM in response to gehurlston

I also have the same problem with my BRAND NEW iPod Touch 4th Gen. It just won't sit in any dock I have - I even tested it in a shop that sold Apple hardware (not an Apple Store) and it wouldn't fit in an official iPod Dock! It appears I have the same issue as many hundreds of thousands of iPod Touch owners in that there is something in the actual iPod connector that is preventing the iPod from seating in any dock.

I am not prepared to take a knife to my iPod to try and fix the problem considering I have just paid £299 for a 64GB iPod Touch, when Apple are blatantly aware of the problem due to the countless threads on this forum. I am taking my iPod back to the Apple Store (at great inconvenience to myself seeing as there is not one nearby) to show them and hopefully get a swap for one that works.

I would like to comment on the suggested fixes on here:

1) I need to buy an iPod Touch 4th Gen Official iPod Dock from Apple - NO WAY. This has nothing to do with the actual 30 pin connector in the iPod itself. Buying one of these will NOT solve the problem at all.

2) You need to update to the latest firmware on your iPod / Docking Station - NO WAY. If I update my firmware, will it magically change the hardware on the iPod to make it fit? I don't think so.

3) Taking a small knife / pair of tweezers and try and push back the small plastic part preventing the dock - NO WAY. If I pay £299 for an iPod, I expect it to work from the off. I should not have to perform some home surgery on an expensive item like this in order to make it work as expected.

Apple - Shame on you. Selling products that don't actually work as designed and then remaining in the shadows when there are countless complaints on these forums is disgraceful. How about you come out from hiding and issue an official response to these obvious design flaws?

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Answer 7

lllaass

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210,513 points

Nov 28, 2010 11:30 AM in response to gehurlston

The case of the 4G s a little different that that of past iPod Touches. Thus, a lot of times the 4G will not dock with docks designed for older iPods. Have you checked the manufacturer's site for information? Does the dock , like apple docks, have a little adopter that can be replaced with one designed for the 4G? Some users here have taken a knife and modified their docks to accept the 4G. Here is tan adopter for the the 4G for Apple's dock:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC650ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0OQ&mco=MTM3NTA2MTY

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Answer 8

mbaird

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Dec 31, 2010 1:28 PM in response to gehurlston

You will need to either purchase an extender cable.

http://www.amazon.com/dockXtender-Premium-Extension-Cable-iPhone/dp/B003N3GRCQ/r ef=pdcp_e2

That is correct. The new 4th and 5th generation iPod Touch will not dock with over 90% of the docking stations at Best Buy. Apply employees at the Apple stores are not even aware of this. Bose is aware of this problem and have indicated that the engineers at Apple had a better idea with a thinner iPod so the connection port is slimmer.

Come on Apple step up to the plate and quit ignoring this.

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Answer 9

mbaird

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Dec 31, 2010 1:33 PM in response to gehurlston

Purchase a doc extender cable.

http://www.amazon.com/dockXtender-Premium-Extension-Cable-iPhone/dp/B003N3GRCQ/r ef=pdcp_e2

Where is Apple on this issue?

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Answer 10

Otto1952

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5 points

Dec 12, 2010 8:25 AM in response to inodindia

I bought an iPod Touch 4G a couple of months ago, and followed it up with a Roberts Colourstream wifi/dab/fm radio with docking connector. Any and all attempts to get the iPod to mate with the radio's dock failed, it just didn't want to know. Roberts confirmed that the 4G is compatible, but a second Colourstream also refused to accept the iPod. I then tried the iPod in several different docking stations in an electrical superstore, and it docked with only one of them. By not docking I mean the connectors failed to fit together mechanically. I contacted Applecare and arranged a warranty repair only for it to be bounced back to me unrepaired because the iPod "has sustained damage". Whatever damage there is can only have been caused by the attempts to dock the unit, in turn caused by the connector being the wrong physical size or shape. It seems to me that the 4G has been slimmed down just a bit too much, so that the tolerances are too tight causing some samples to fail to mate correctly.

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Answer 11

Feb 13, 2011 6:13 PM in response to NASTOUCH

My problem was also purely mechanical. 2 3G's would fit the dock but my 4G would not. Followed the Youtube video and trimmed the back of the case and it fit onto the 30 pin connector with no problem. Took my time so it took me about 10 minutes. Did not have to remove very much. Think that it maybe a supplier problem with the ridge on the case. They may use several suppliers or injection molds and one just happens to leave a ridge. That's why some have a problem and some do not.

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Answer 12

TazD

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Dec 29, 2010 7:24 PM in response to gehurlston

I've had the same issue & Apple's response is basically that few products on the market currently support the iPod Touch 4G. I guess that means the 4G will require a dedicated docking station? It seems that very few retailers are aware of this, as I was assured the Sony Dream Machine I just purchased would work with the 4G.

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Answer 13

Jan 12, 2012 3:57 AM in response to westhearcher

Now rectified - see my thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3606334?answerId=17144253022#17144253022

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Answer 14

Otto1952

Level 1

5 points

Dec 15, 2010 3:34 AM in response to lllaass

I bought the correct adaptor for the 4G from the Apple online store before trying to fit the iPod to the dock and it still doesn't fit. I think there is a tolerance problem with the new case dimensions meaning that some 4G samples will not fit standard dock connectors.

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Answer 15

Otto1952

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5 points

Dec 29, 2010 5:34 AM in response to davidmkey

Well, my new iTouch has just been delivered and I'm pleased to say that it drops onto the dock connector easily and all functions appear to be working. It's charging, and playing the music. So I'm a happy bunny - except that while the iTouch has been away the dock developed a buzz in its right hand speaker so now I've got to get that fixed ...

My advice to anyone whose iTouch 4 won't dock is get onto Applecare Support and explain the problem, and refer them to this thread and the others on here as well as user comments on Amazon.co.uk and the like. Ask to speak to a senior adviser if necessary, and request a replacement rather than a repair. Mine was bounced back as "damaged" on the first attempt. Good luck!

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