iPod Background Hack

This will show you how to change any picture on your iPod, including your background. Unfortunately this does not work on Mac computers, and like many other iPod hacks, it doesn't work on the Shuffle, 2nd and 3rd generation Nano, and the new Classic or iPod touch due to higher levels of encryption.

This hack will void your iPod warranty from Apple, although if you just rewrite your original firmware or restore your iPod there is no way for anyone to tell you did anything but use it like anyone else :-)

Please rate and comment it if you like it.

Step 1 Enable disc use on your ipod.

First you need to enable disk use on your iPod. This can be done by :

Hooking-up your iPod to your PC

Opening up iTunes

Select your iPod and click the checkbox that says Enable Disk use. (if it isn't already checked)

Click Apply

Comments

[goebela]

lol late comment great instructable but whenever i go write to ipod it gives me a error message what do it do/what am i doing wrong

[dleigh']

so, one the first step it says to enable disk use. & my itunes doesn't say that but my ipods a 4 generation? help please:) thanks

[undonevil]

i think kankon.org is gone can you help me out i got a 5th gen

[pickingrin]

Fixed the links. Let me know if something else doesn't work!

[fogman103]

How did you change the text color? (Main image on intro page of 'ible)

[maxpower49]

how can you tell what genneration your ipod is and does this only work for ipod viedo

[pickingrin]

If you have an iPod video the difference is that the 5.5 Generation has a search feature under the music menu. This hack works on all but the Shuffle, 2nd and 3rd generation Nano, and the new Classic or iPod touch due to higher levels of encryption.

[Briguy9]

Um, the iPod Touch is part of the Hacked for Life family. There's no possible way other than to make a whole new ipod that it can't be hacked. It's a problem in the bootrom or something. I have an iPod Touch 2G running 3.0.0 and it's hacked, and not just hacked, jailbroken. I can do pretty much whatever I want with it now (except free app store apps). Best of all: It's legal, contrary to what Apple says. Same exact thing for the iPhone, because the iPhone is the iPod Touch with a microphone, camera, and an earpiece.

[Mathias Re'eh]

i get free app store apps :) shhhh dont tell apple

[thefinalcountdown]

hi i have the brand new ipod 5th gen the one that shoots video will it still work?

[MrHobo]

when I ,"Write to iPod" it says to close all programs that use the iPod like iTunes but even if Iclose itunes it still gives me the message, what do I do?

[pickingrin]

I would try restarting your computer first. If that doesn't work then check the Task Manager to see if the help files or another part of the program is still loaded

[Zack77389]

What if it still does not work?

 

[MrHobo]

thks for the help

[Zack77389]

Okay so I did everything and added the pic and all but when I hit "write to ipod" it says it cant because I have to close all programs like itunes and stuff, but everything is already closed. Help?

 

[=SMART=]

:D Very nice unfortunately im on a mac :( Maybe you should do screen-shots with the computer instead of using a camera, theres loads of good free PC programs that let you select a part of the screen to capture/record

[pickingrin]

I feel your pain. I too only use macs, although I would never switch since, this is the only thing I haven't been able to do on a mac. I just borrowed my friends PC for this, and surprisingly my ipod will now connect to any computer instead of just macs ( since it's Windows formatted). Thanks, I'll see if I can find those screen shot programs.

[cormac3050]

debut video capture is good, it lets you take video screenshots and still ones. just google it.

[cormac3050]

lol

[cormac3050]

.

[gatorfan94]

.

[IW5 Industries]

[IW5 Industries]

or..

               

[=SMART=]

yea same generally mac's are brilliant but theres more hackers/developers for windows so more programs like this, if you are looking for a screen capture/recorder for MAC do a google search for "copernicus" its what i use, its free and very good :D

[salza12]

what link do we use if we have a 4th gen ipod cause i cant figure it out

[reid822]

Does this work on the newest (4G, Chromatic) Nano? I am having trouble and it doesn't say anything in the instructions.

[maniacmusicman]

I have a logical explanation of why it is not working on the new iPods. As of right now, all of the new ipods are encrypted, that means nothing can be done to them. No mods. No backgrounds. Nothing. If you want to have a hackable ipod, then buy a first gen nano, a video ipod, a touch or an iphone. These are all available from ebay.

[sarahsmith1992]

and i also i cant find the firmware any where on my computer!

[sarahsmith1992]

''hey i have a 1G ipod nano, i downloaded the wizard but it doesnt seemed to be detecting my ipod, is there any settings that i have to have it on? like automatic update or something? thanks''

[Lardmasta]

Hello, this thing completely screwed up my ipod, how do I get ipod wizrd off my ipod? Please help, thanks

[Enro Technology]

how do i reset the ipod to default if i dont like the new look of the background etc do i just do center and middle button like usual

[rckon93]

i keep getting a message that sasy, error writing firmware!, does anyone know why i might be getting this?

[beigetaige]

thats sweet and all, but the link doesnt work. The link for the video ipod background hack. Maybe it was deleted?idk please get back.

[pickingrin]

I fixed the links, let me know id you find anything else

[kenny94]

it still doesn't work

[kingnick526]

how large is the firmware file

[scottyneutron]

will it put a virus on your computer?

[pickingrin]

Not if you go to the links I put up there.

[Chowder_was_here]

If you update your ipod it will go back to the original screen,( the one apple puts on it.)

[eygen]

I've tried this for my Ipod Nano 1 g whatever generation (I forgot because I've got a newer one) and that wouldn't work because itunes now has an automatic updater, and it won't allot any writing to the ipod. Too bad, would've been great fun.