TS1412: iPod shuffle troubleshooting and service FAQ

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duhveed

Q: Receive a "Ipod Version Not Supported" message when plugging Shuffle into USB port in my new vehicle and attempting to use according to its instructions. Ipod software is up to date and synched.

Have a new car that includes a USB port for using an iPod. My Shuffle's software is up to date and synched with iTunes, but I get a "Version Not Supported" message when I plug the iPod into the vehicle's USB port. Why is this?

iPod shuffle

Posted on Nov 13, 2013 9:01 PM

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Q: Receive a "Ipod Version Not Supported" message when plugging Shuffle into USB port in my new vehicle and attempting to use accordi ... more

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Nov 14, 2013 12:18 AM in response to duhveed
    Level 8 (38,959 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 14, 2013 12:18 AM in response to duhveed

    You'll need to consult the documentation of the car audio system or its tech support, to find out what devices are supported when connected to the car audio system's USB port.  The shuffle is different in design, and it uses a specially adapted headphones jack as its data connection point, so it may not work for this purpose like the "big" iPods (which have a dedicated data connection port).  So, it's probably not be related to the software version on the shuffle.

     

    FYI - When you connect any iPod to a car audio system through a USB port, the iPod is NOT playing the music.  It is only acting as a data storage device with song files, just like a generic USB flash drive connected to that port.  The car audio system is just reading the song file from the iPod and doing the actual playing of the song. 

     

    Therefore, instead of using a small-capacity iPod shuffle for this purpose, you may want to buy a cheap 8GB USB flash drive, and load it with song files.  Here's one that barely sticks out of the USB port

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/SanDisk/SDCZ33008G/

     

    You'll have 4x the storage, and you can just leave it connected to the car audio system (except to change songs).  An iPod is more prone to damage from extreme temperatures inside a parked car (plus you'll want to use it as an iPod), so you'll have to remember to disconnect it and take with you.

  • by Simon_Filippi,

    Simon_Filippi Simon_Filippi Jan 29, 2014 12:52 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2014 12:52 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Have been using my iPod Touch in my Honda Accord (2012) to play music from iTunes  - without any trouble whatsoever. Attached the device this morning and the car 'detects' the iPod as usual but now displays "Version not supported". I've checked the iPod for software upgrades ("version 5.1.1, software up to date" message displayed) and tried rebooting it.

     

    Problem persists - any ideas how to resolbve this, people?