If your iPod Touch does not play certain songs, is continuously frizzing, or your applications freeze or close unexpectedly, try restoring it to its factory settings. Doing so will completely erase all the information and settings on your iPod and leave it essentially like new. If it is only certain aspects, such as applications, that are causing problems with your iPod, there are several options to choose from when you are restoring it that will help you find the root of the problem. Follow the steps below to restore your iPod to its factory settings or to reload data on your iPod after restoring it.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Preparing your electronics
Step 1. Make sure your computer has a USB 2.0 port and the latest version of iTunes
If you don't have the latest version of iTunes, download it by running a software update check on your computer and following the installation instructions.
You can also download the latest version of iTunes by visiting the Apple website and pressing the "Download iTunes" button under the iTunes tab
Step 2. Make sure your Mac is running Mac OS X 10.6 or newer
If you have a PC, make sure you are running Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or a newer version.
Method 2 of 4: Connecting your iPod Touch
Step 1. Open iTunes on your computer
Do it before connecting your iPod so that it is recognized without problems.
Step 2. Plug the USB cable into a USB port on the computer
Make sure you are not mistakenly using a USB port that is not part of the computer, as well as a USB port from a keyboard or an external USB hub.
Make sure that no other USB device is occupying any other of the ports
Step 3. Connect your iPod Touch to the Dock Connector of the USB cable
Make sure you are using the Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable that came with your iPod Touch.
- If your computer has front and rear USB ports, connect your iPod to a port on the back of your computer.
- If iTunes doesn't recognize your iPod when you connect it, try again by closing and reopening iTunes.
- If it still doesn't recognize your iPod, restart your computer completely and start over.
Step 4. Make a backup of your iPod Touch
Synchronize your iPod with your computer so that you have a copy of all data and settings.
Right-click on the name of your iPod in iTunes and select "Backup." iTunes will automatically back up your iPod
Method 3 of 4: Restoring your iPod Touch to factory settings
Step 1. Click the "Restore" button on the iPod management screen in iTunes
It is located in the box where the iPod version is indicated in the middle of the screen. When you click "Restore," iTunes will automatically ask you to restore your iPod to factory settings.
Step 2. Another alternative is to do it from your iPod, in the “Settings” application
In the "Settings" application find the "General" menu.
Step 3. Tap on “General” and go to the bottom of the screen
Step 4. Tap the “Reset” menu
This will open six different options:
- Reset settings: This allows you to erase all your preferences and restore them to factory settings without erasing your data or applications.
- Delete content and settings: Choose this option to delete everything - including content and applications - on your iPod Touch. Make sure you have backed up the content on your iPod before choosing this option.
- Reset network settings: This will only reset the internet connection settings to their initial settings.
- Reset keyboard dictionary: This will only reset your keyboard to its original settings, and any words or phrases that are saved in your spell check will be erased.
- Reset home screen: This will reset the home screen format back to its original settings, erasing all the organizing operations you have performed. This includes organizing your apps and any folders you have created.
- Reset location and privacy: If you want to reset if your applications can access your location, choose this option. When you do this, each application that uses your location preferences will ask you when the application first opens if you want to share your location.
Step 5. Touch the desired option
A screen will ask you to confirm or cancel your selection.
Step 6. Choose "Erase iPod" to reset your iPod Touch
Your iPod Touch will restart. When it turns back on, your iPod Touch should have restored the factory settings you chose.
Method 4 of 4: Restoring data from backup
Step 1. Load the data back onto your iPod Touch
If you want to upload new data to your iPod touch instead of erasing all your data, you can do so by syncing your iPod with your iTunes account.
Step 2. Open iTunes on your computer
Again, making sure you do it before connecting your iPod Touch.
Step 3. Connect the USB cable to your computer
Step 4. Connect your refurbished iPod Touch to the Dock Connector on your USB cable
The iPod management screen should appear in your iTunes. A screen will appear saying that an iPod has been previously synced with your computer. It will ask you to set your iPod as a new device or to restore from a backup.
Step 5. Choose “Restore from backup of” and select your Ipod from the drop-down menu
Your iPod will automatically restore and reboot. # Leave your iPod connected to your computer for the entire duration of the process.
Step 6. Check your iPod for missing settings
If you can't find an application, click on the "Apps" tab at the top of the iPod management screen in your iTunes and check the box that says "Sync" in the upper right corner.
Advice
- After resetting your iPod you need to reconnect to any Wi-Fi connection when you want to use online applications.
- If you can't restore your iPod Touch, take it to an Apple store.
- Check if your security or firewall software is up to date if you find any problems.
- Set up your security or firewall software to connect to iTunes, if you haven't already, before starting the restore process.
- If possible, temporarily disable security, firewall, or proxy settings during the restore process.