HT201567: Using your iPod as a storage drive

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CincyChris

Q: Extracting Lost memories from ancient device (iPod Nano 2GB)

I found an old Nano that holds copies of photos we lost years ago. 

I cannot figure out how to extract them, either in iTunes or via "Enable Disk Use". 

When I look at the Nano in Finder, it shows folders (Music, contacts, Photos, etc.) that are empty, so it seems they are only there as default placeholders.

Please help...

iPod nano, iOS 1.x, The Nano is on 1.1.3

Posted on Nov 30, 2013 12:25 PM

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Q: Extracting Lost memories from ancient device (iPod Nano 2GB)

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Dec 1, 2013 2:22 PM in response to CincyChris
    Level 8 (39,309 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 1, 2013 2:22 PM in response to CincyChris

    You cannot use iTunes to extract photos from an iPod.  When iTunes syncs photos to the iPod, the images are converted to a lower resolution that matches the iPod's small screen, and stored in a single database file.  This is done to save storage space on the iPod.

     

    There is an option on the iPod's Photos screen in iTunes, to include the full-resolution photo files when syncing.  IF this setting was enabled when you synced the photos to the iPod, THEN the full-res photo files will be in Photos folder on the iPod, which you can access by enabling disk use.

     

    NOTE:  There may be third-party software that can extract separate images from the special photo database file on the iPod.  However, the images will still be low-res (optimized for the iPod's small screen).