How to Reset an iPod to Delete All the Songs

Resetting your iPod frees up space for all new music.

There are several advantages to resetting an iPod to delete all the songs. It's a much faster way to delete the data than to manually remove it. It resets all user settings on the iPod, such as base volume and preferences. Also, it reinstalls the iPod's most recent software and usually fixes any technical issues with the iPod. If it's an old iPod or one that holds more than 30 GB of data, it may take longer to reset.

Things You'll Need

• iPod connector cable

Instructions

1. Check your iPod to make sure it's at least half charged. Some iPods require the battery to be at least partly charged in order to reset correctly. Plug it in for 20 minutes to charge it if it's empty.

2. Plug your iPod into a USB drive on your computer and open iTunes.

3. Select the iPod you want to reset from iTunes' menu and click "Restore" on the Summary page. A Mac will prompt for an administrator password, so if it's someone else's computer you may need them to type in their password.

4. Lay your iPod flat and leave it while it resets. Remember that this erases all your music and other data, so backup first to avoid losing anything.

5. Enter your new preferences when prompted after the reset completes. The computer will treat this like a completely new iPod, so you'll need to select either automatic syncing with this computer or manual managing.