HOWTO Update iPod Firmware
From Gentoo Linux Wiki
This guide should allow you to update any version of iPod (2G, 5G, Mini, etc) to any firmware (Official, Rockbox, etc) from any platform (x86, PPC, etc). However, I have only done this by updating a 5th Gen Late iPod to the latest Official Apple firmware from an x86 machine. Your mileage may vary.
Contents |
[edit] Assumptions
This guide assumes you already are able to mount your iPod and that you have internet access. If you are unable to mount your iPod then please refer to this article.
[edit] Identify iPod Model
First, you need to identify which model your iPod is and what the latest firmware for it is.
[edit] Download Firmware
I have listed the links directly here in case the page from which I got this information from moves (as happened with the previous version of this page). I do, however, recommend visiting this page to make sure these links are still current.
Rename the downloaded file's extension (.ipsw) to .zip and extract the contents.
[edit] Identify Partition Structure
Before we copy the new firmware to the iPod we're going to make a backup - just in case. First, run the following to determine your partition layout.
cat /proc/partitions
Mac formatted iPods have three partitions whereas the Windows formatted ones only have two partitions. Below is an example of each. Note that the first example is of a slightly older iPod and has a smaller sized firmware partition.
40 GB "4th Generation" example:
major minor #blocks name 8 48 39063023 sda 8 49 31 sda1 <- Mac partition table 8 50 32768 sda2 <- firmware partition 8 51 39030224 sda3 <- HFS+ data partition
30 GB "5th Generation Late" example:
major minor #blocks name 8 16 29302560 sda 8 17 96264 sda1 <- firmware partition 8 18 29206170 sda2 <- FAT data partition
[edit] Make A Backup
After determining which partition holds the firmware for your iPod, run the following command (replacing sdXX with the correct iPod device letter and firmware partition number) to backup your current firmware to the FirmwareBackup file.
dd if=/dev/sdXX of=FirmwareBackup
[edit] Copy Over New Firmware
Run the following command to copy over the new firmware. Don't forget to specify the path to the firmware you download and extracted earlier. Again, replace sdXX with the correct values.
dd if=path/to/extracted/firmware/Firmware of=/dev/sdXX
[edit] Install
Eject the iPod
eject /dev/sdX
Follow the appropriate directions for your model of iPod. When the iPod does begin to install it will take a few minutes. Be patient while it extracts and updates.
[edit] Newer iPods
Leave the iPod connected to the computer if it is a 5th Gen and above, 2nd Gen Mini and above, or Nano. The iPod will detect the new firmware and install by itself.
[edit] Older iPods
If you have anything older it will prompt you to connect to an AC walljack before it ill install the new firmware.
[edit] Without the AC Adapter
If you don't own the AC adapter, then you have two options.
- Unplug your ipod after updating. Then unload your USB modules using 'modprobe -r module'. To see what modules are running run 'lsmod'. I removed uhci_hcd, ehci_hcd, usb_storage, usbhid, and usbcore. Then plug your iPod back in and it will no longer go into "disk mode", thus allowing the iPod to update.
- Another option is to cover the two middle pins on the USB plug, as they are the data pins. A thin strip of paper or tape would work. Plug the iPod back in and now only the power pins are connected, thus preventing "disk mode."
