Replacement Li-Po / Lithium Polymer battery for the iPod 2nd Generation / iPod (Touch Wheel) A1019. Use it for weak runtime, swelling, or power loss only after FireWire power, the battery connector, storage load, and case fit have been checked.
Product Overview
This iPod 2G battery path covers the 10GB and 20GB iPod 2nd Generation family. The original pack is a 1,200 mAh Li-Po / Lithium Polymer battery, with reported cell markings such as UP325385A4H and UP325385A5H. Aftermarket batteries are commonly sold in high-capacity (around 1,600 mAh) and extended (up to 2,200 mAh) options.
The first diagnostic rule is FireWire power. A weak runtime, sudden shutoff, or iPod 2nd gen battery complaint is meaningful only after the iPod has been tested from a proper FireWire charger or FireWire cable.
A1019 is a FireWire-era iPod. Do not use later cable-power behavior to diagnose this model.
What Is Included
Quick Diagnosis
Start with the charging setup, then the battery connector, then storage load. That order prevents a good battery from being blamed for a missing FireWire power path.
| What you see | Check first | Battery makes sense when |
|---|---|---|
| Short runtime or rapid battery drain | Charge fully from FireWire power, then test whether runtime still drops quickly under normal use. | Aging cell behavior remains after FireWire charging and connector seating are checked. |
| ipod 2nd generation not charging | Confirm the power source is FireWire 400 and that the cable and wall adapter are known good. | Battery replacement is more likely when FireWire power is confirmed but the iPod still will not hold charge. |
| ipod 2nd gen won't charge | Try another known-good FireWire power setup before opening the iPod. | The symptom follows the iPod, not the charger or cable. |
| Very Low Battery, brief wake, or shuts off under load | Check battery connector seating and listen for drive load or clicking that could pull power down. | Battery replacement is more likely when storage behavior is normal and the connector is seated. |
| Swollen, bulging, or pushed-open case | Stop charging and handle the battery as a safety issue. | Replace the battery carefully; do not keep testing a swollen lithium polymer cell. |
Specifications & Fitment
Part Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Number | A1019 |
| EMC | EMC 1942 |
| Condition | New replacement battery |
| Apple identifier | iPod (Touch Wheel) |
| Fits capacities | 10GB and 20GB iPod 2nd Generation |
| Original capacity | 1,200 mAh |
| Chemistry | Li-Po / Lithium Polymer |
| Cell markings |
UP325385A4H / UP325385A5H
|
| Charging path | Dedicated FireWire 400 power path |
| Connector | Wired plug-in battery connector |
| Soldering Required | No |
| Voltage (Nominal) | 3.7V |
Compatible Variants
| Order Number | Capacity | Color | Case | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M8737LL/A | 10GB | White | Thin / 0.72 in | Yes | — |
| M8740LL/A | 10GB | White | Thin / 0.72 in | Yes | — |
| M8738LL/A | 20GB | White | Thick / 0.78 in | Yes | — |
| M8741LL/A | 20GB | White | Thick / 0.78 in | Yes | — |
Fitment question: Is iPod 1G and 2G battery the same? The early 1G and 2G battery fitment is cross-compatible by chemistry and connector; 3G and later batteries are separate.
When This Battery Helps
Runtime is poor after a full FireWire charge
Short runtime, sudden shutoff, and iPod 2nd gen battery searches point toward the cell only after the power source and connector are checked.
The battery connector or lead is disturbed
If the iPod was recently opened, inspect the white battery connector and nearby wiring before ordering another cell.
The case is swelling or the battery is damaged
A swollen, hot, punctured, or leaking lithium polymer battery is a safety problem. Stop charging and replace it carefully.
Power, charging, or runtime symptoms
What you may see: People describe short runtime, charging trouble, sudden shutoff, or an iPod that will not reliably power on
Check first: Confirm you are using a 6-pin FireWire charger or FireWire cable before opening the iPod
- Test with a known-good charger and cable before opening the iPod
- Note whether the iPod shows charging, briefly powers on, shuts down under load, or never wakes at all
- If the symptom began after service, inspect the battery connector and nearby flex paths before replacing another part
Other Symptoms That May Involve This Part
| Commonly described as | What to check before ordering |
|---|---|
| Won't hold a charge, dies quickly, only works when plugged in, or will not charge | Check the 6-pin FireWire cable, FireWire power adapter, FireWire port, and battery connector seating before ordering a replacement battery. |
| Drains overnight, only lights the backlight when connected, will not charge over FireWire, or still fails with a new battery | Use this as a battery clue only after the iPod responds the same way on known-good FireWire power. |
| Puffy or leaking battery | Stop charging and treat these as battery-safety symptoms. Do not keep testing a swollen, puffy, hot, punctured, or leaking lithium pack. |
| 2G iPod will not turn on or appears dead | Charge from a known-good FireWire power adapter long enough to separate deep discharge from a failed cell, then confirm the battery path. |
Diagnose first when
- Confirm you are using a 6-pin FireWire charger or FireWire cable before opening the iPod.
- Inspect for liquid, corrosion, residue, torn flex material, or connector damage.
- Test with a known-good charger and cable, then note whether the iPod only works while plugged in or fails again under load.
- Listen for repeat clicking or repeated spin-up attempts before replacing storage parts.
Repair considerations
Repair specialists who work on this model consistently flag these checks before replacing the battery — they help confirm the battery is the right fix and not a nearby fault:
- Try a known-good FireWire cable, charger, and computer port
- Replace battery
Do Not Buy This Battery Yet If...
| Situation | Start here instead |
|---|---|
| FireWire power has not been tested | Confirm a known-good FireWire charger or FireWire cable before blaming the battery. |
| The symptom is mainly clicking, sad iPod, folder icon, or failed restore | Check the hard drive and internal drive ribbon before replacing another battery. |
| The iPod was just opened | Reseat the battery connector and nearby cables before ordering a second cell. |
| You have a 3G or later battery | Do not substitute it. 3G and later batteries use a different chemistry and connector option. |
| You are choosing by the word Classic alone | This listing is for the iPod 2nd Generation / iPod (Touch Wheel), model A1019 / EMC 1942. |
| The only issue is that the iPod has not been tried with FireWire power | That is a charging setup problem first, not proof that the battery is bad. |
- The iPod 2nd generation requires FireWire for both syncing and charging -- USB will not work.
Install Overview
This is a no-solder battery replacement. The Repair Guide below carries the install summary and the 10 battery steps.
Before You Start
For a force restart, toggle Hold on and off, then hold Menu + Play/Pause for 6 to 10 seconds. Later-model reset shortcuts do not apply here.
The case has retaining tabs along the edges. Work around the shell with a plastic opening tool and avoid twisting the front or rear panel.
Pull on the white connector housing, not the battery wires. If power trouble started after service, reseating this connector may solve it.
Some 1,600 mAh and larger replacement cells may be thicker than the original. Verify the cell sits cleanly before closing the case.
If the battery is swollen, bulging, hot, punctured, or pushing the case open, stop charging and handle it as damaged lithium polymer.
Repair steps
Documented repair-procedure steps for replacing the battery on this model (from teardown guides; confirm against your unit before starting):
- Lift the battery up from the hard drive and lay it next the the iPod (it is still connected to the logic board).
- Lift up the end of the hard drive near the FireWire port to allow easy access to the battery connector.
Repair Guide
Repair guide summary: iPod 2nd Generation Battery Replacement.
Show all 10 installation steps
Confirm that the hold switch is locked before you open the iPod.
Opening this iPod may take a few tries, which is normal for this case design. Slide a plastic opening tool into the seam where the white front panel meets the metal rear case. After the tool is seated, run it along the seam to release the five retaining tabs.
Slide the opening tool around the case edge until the five tabs release.
Work around the corner of the iPod and release the two tabs near the FireWire port.
Release the five tabs along the opposite side. Gently rocking the front panel back and forth can help free them.
Raise the back panel away from the device, making sure it doesn't catch on the headphone jack.
Peel up and back the metallic tape attached to the battery top.
Raise the battery away from the hard drive and set it next to the iPod; it remains connected to the logic board.
Raise the hard drive end near the FireWire port so the battery connector is easy to reach.
Carefully detach the white battery connector from the logic board. Pull only on the connector housing, not the cables.
Common Questions
Why won't my iPod 2nd Generation charge?
For ipod 2nd generation not charging searches, start with FireWire power. Searches for ipod 2nd generation charger or ipod 2nd gen charger usually point to the same requirement: use a FireWire charger, FireWire cable, or original-style FireWire power adapter for charging diagnosis. If FireWire power is confirmed and the iPod still will not hold charge, then the battery path becomes more likely.
How do I tell if I have a 2nd Generation iPod?
Look for the iPod (Touch Wheel) layout: a non-moving capacitive wheel, no buttons above or below the wheel, A1019 / EMC 1942 identifiers, and 10GB or 20GB capacity. If your iPod has four buttons above the wheel, it is a different generation.
What if my iPod 2nd gen won't charge even after FireWire testing?
Check the FireWire charger and cable first, then inspect the white battery connector, storage behavior, and signs of swelling or corrosion. Replace the battery when the symptom remains isolated to the cell or its connector path.
Does iPod 2G charge over USB?
No. The A1019 iPod 2G is a FireWire-era model. Use a known-good FireWire cable and compatible iPod power adapter for charging diagnosis.
Does a larger battery always fit?
Not always. Some extended-capacity cells are thicker than the original. Confirm the cell sits without forcing the shell closed before reassembly.
What tools and steps are involved?
The iPod 2nd Generation Battery Replacement guide has 10 steps and does not require soldering. The main tool is a plastic opening tool, and the sensitive moment is detaching the white battery connector without pulling on the wires.
Battery Safety & Shipping
⚠️ Lithium-Ion / Li-Po Battery Safety. This product contains (or is) a rechargeable lithium-ion/lithium-polymer battery. Charge only with a compatible charger; don't leave it charging unattended or overnight, and unplug once fully charged. Avoid charging or storing in direct sunlight or other high-heat environments. Stop using and stop charging immediately if the battery swells, bulges, gets unusually hot, hisses, smokes, or leaks. Do not puncture, crush, bend, short-circuit, or try to "deflate" a swollen cell, and never press a lifted screen or case back down — it can rupture the cell. If electrolyte contacts your eyes, flush with clean water for 15 minutes without rubbing and seek medical care; on skin, wash with water and soap. Battery service should be done by a trained technician. Recycle through an electronics or universal-waste recycler, not household trash.
Shipping. A refurbished iPod shipped with its battery installed ships as UN3481 (lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment); a loose replacement cell shipped on its own ships as UN3480 (lithium-ion batteries). Cells have passed UN Manual of Tests and Criteria 38.3 testing.
Worth Knowing
- The 2G battery is Li-Po / Lithium Polymer, not the later Li-Ion option.
- Use FireWire power for charging diagnosis before treating a weak or dead iPod as a failed battery.
- Some extended-capacity replacement cells can be thicker than the original; verify case fit before closing.
Why people land on this part
People also ask: Does iPod 2G charge over USB? How long does iPod 2nd generation battery last? does iPhone charger work on old iPod?
Some buyers search for "battery won't charge" or "wont charge"; confirm the checks above point to this same part before ordering.
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Some buyers search for "battery drained", "battery draining", or "doesn't charge"; confirm the checks above point to this same part before ordering.
You May Also Want
Inspect the internal drive ribbon while the case is already open for battery service.
Related: Replacement Hard Drive (10GB)A failing 10GB or 20GB drive can draw power and mimic weak-battery behavior.
Related: Replacement Hard Drive (20GB)Use the highest-capacity compatible mechanical hard drive when increasing storage on this early FireWire-only model.
Some buyers search for "touch wheel ipod battery", "iPod Classic 2nd gen battery", "A1019 battery", "original ipod 2nd gen battery", "1200 mAh", "A1070 FireWire power adapter", or "let it soak battery revival"; confirm the checks above point to this same part before ordering.
