Refurbished iPod Mini 2nd Generation — inspected, function-tested, and ready to play. Confirm the exact capacity, color, and order number on this listing before you buy.
Product Overview
This refurbished iPod Mini 2nd Generation 4GB Green is a complete working iPod listing for buyers comparing model, capacity, and condition.
Use the identification table below to confirm the exact configuration and order-number record.
Choose Your Option
This refurbished iPod comes in multiple configurations. Confirm capacity, color, order number before choosing.
Refurbished iPod Mini 2nd Generation 4GB Green M9806LL/A. iPod Mini logic platform processor, Wolfson WM8731 audio codec, 18-hour battery life.
You're viewing this optionAbout This iPod
Apple removed gold from the color palette, kept silver, and made blue, pink, and green more saturated. The Click Wheel symbols changed to match the body color — a quick way to distinguish a 2nd gen from a 1st gen. To hit $199, Apple removed the FireWire cable and AC adapter from the box.
Today the Mini 2nd Generation is beloved for its 18-hour battery, iconic aluminum design, and status as one of the easiest iPods to flash-mod (native CompactFlash Type II slot). Its 'killed at the peak' story, combined with the distinctive colors and easy modding, drives a strong following among collectors, modders, and daily users.
About This Variant
The 4GB Green Mini 2nd Generation uses the refreshed, deeper green anodizing with color-matched Click Wheel text. Green is one of the more visually distinctive Mini colors — recognizably 'iPod mini' at a glance.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Released | February 23, 2005 |
| Discontinued | September 7, 2005 |
| Original Price | US$199 |
| This Listing | M9806LL/A |
What Changed
- Storage: Added 6GB option ($249) alongside 4GB ($199) — first time a Mini offered a capacity choice
- Pricing: 4GB dropped from $249 to $199 — lowest-priced iPod mini to date. New 6GB took the $249 price point
- Colors: Gold dropped; remaining Blue, Pink, and Green received brighter, more saturated anodized finishes. Silver unchanged
How This Compares
Why buyers choose this generation: The Mini 2nd Generation is the 'best original Mini' for daily use: it keeps the beloved aluminum body and Click Wheel, adds the 6GB option, dramatically improves battery life, and is one of the easiest iPods to flash-mod. Its 7-month production run and 'killed at the peak' story give it genuine collector interest beyond pure nostalgia.
What Refurbished Means
A refurbished iPod is a complete used iPod that has been inspected, cleaned, tested, and prepared for resale; it is not a sealed-new Apple retail unit.
| Area | What this listing means |
|---|---|
| Inspection | Function-tested complete iPod with model, controls, display, sync, and audio checked before sale. |
| Battery | Replacement battery installed unless the listing states otherwise. |
| Battery Age | These iPods are about 21 years old. Original batteries are well beyond their design life. |
| Storage | Storage is tested during restore/sync checks; flash-modded units disclose the adapter path separately. Stock units keep the original Microdrive — a 20-year-old mechanical drive, so treat remaining lifespan as a bonus rather than a promise; flash-modded builds remove that moving part entirely. |
| Cosmetics | Cosmetic condition is listing-specific and may vary by shell, rear housing surface, screen lens, and engraving wear. |
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.
Exact Model Identification
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Order Number | M9806LL/A |
| Apple Model Number | A1051 |
| Capacity | 4GB |
| Color | Green |
| EMC | EMC 2044 |
All Available Variants
| Order Number | Capacity | Color | Released | Refurb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M9800LL/A | 4GB | Silver | February 2005 | View refurb |
| M9802LL/A | 4GB | Blue | February 2005 | View refurb |
| M9804LL/A | 4GB | Pink | February 2005 | View refurb |
| M9806LL/A | 4GB | Green | February 2005 | This page |
| M9801LL/A | 6GB | Silver | February 2005 | View refurb |
| M9803LL/A | 6GB | Blue | February 2005 | View refurb |
| M9805LL/A | 6GB | Pink | February 2005 | View refurb |
| M9807LL/A | 6GB | Green | February 2005 | View refurb |
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Processor | iPod Mini logic platform |
| CPU | Dual ARM7TDMI, 80 MHz |
| RAM | 32 MB |
| Storage | 4GB Microdrive |
| Display | 1.67" Grayscale 138x110 |
| Audio Codec | Wolfson WM8731 |
| Battery (Original) | Original: Li-Ion, reported 400-650 mAh (Apple-rated 18 hours music) / Refurbished: New (up to 600 mAh) |
| Music Playback | Up to 18 hours |
| Connectivity | USB (Sync & Charge), FireWire (Sync & Charge) |
| Dimensions | 3.6 x 2.0 x 0.54" |
| Weight | 3.6 oz |
| Model Number | A1051 |
| Original Price | US$199 |
What's Included
- Refurbished iPod
- USB charge/sync cable
- 1 year warranty
Compatibility
Modern Sync Notes
- Broad compatibility: works with all popular Windows versions — Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11 — as well as Macs; any system that can run iTunes 7.4 or later can sync and restore this iPod.
- macOS: macOS Sequoia 15.4 and later can break native iPod recognition for some owners; if Finder or Apple Music does not see the iPod, use Windows iTunes or an older Mac for restore and sync.
- Windows: on current Windows, standalone iTunes 12.6.5 is the most reliable restore and sync path for click-wheel iPods.
- Streaming: These iPods do not provide native Spotify, Apple Music streaming, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
Original System Requirements
- Minimum Mac OS: Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later
- Host Port: Built-in high-power USB 2.0 or FireWire port. Most keyboard USB ports do not provide enough power.
- Windows: Windows 2000 SP4 required; Windows XP SP2 required
Known OS Compatibility Issues
- macOS Sequoia 15.x: Legacy iPod recognition may be unreliable on newer macOS releases; 32-bit iTunes unavailable. Workaround: Use Windows standalone iTunes or an older Mac with a known-good iPod sync path.
Rockbox
Status: Supported
Build: IPOD_MINI2G
Stable target. Daily builds 4.0+ recommended for SD-via-CF adapters (older builds may cause poor battery life with CF adapters).
iTunes Compatibility
- Minimum: iTunes 4.7
- Recommended: iTunes 12.6.5
- Note: iTunes 12.x on Windows still supports iPod Mini sync. macOS Catalina+ replaced iTunes with Apple Music, which has limited but functional iPod support.
Flash Storage Upgrade
A stock refurbished iPod can keep its original storage style, but many buyers choose flash storage when they want a quieter, lower-power player with fewer moving parts. See the 128GB Flash Mod Kit (CF-to-SDXC Adapter + 128GB SD Card Included) page for the DIY kit, capacity options, and card guidance.
| Topic | Buyer Guidance |
|---|---|
| Why buyers upgrade | No moving parts, silent operation, lower power draw, improved battery life, and room for higher-capacity libraries. |
| Maximum confirmed capacity | 256GB confirmed with Tarkan CF-to-SDXC adapter + PNY 256GB SDXC |
| Format requirement | SDXC cards (64GB+) must be pre-formatted to FAT32 before use — default exFAT not supported |
| Rockbox | Rockbox is supported (IPOD_MINI2G); Stable target. Daily builds 4.0+ recommended for SD-via-CF adapters (older builds may cause poor battery life with CF adapters). |
Buyer FAQ
Should I buy 4GB or 6GB?
4GB holds about 1,000 songs; 6GB holds about 1,500 (Apple's 128-Kbps AAC estimate). If you plan to flash-mod to a larger SD card, stock capacity matters less — buy on color and condition. If you want the original experience, 6GB gives 50% more room for $50 more at original retail, and 6GB units are slightly scarcer.
What's the difference between the 1st and 2nd gen Mini?
The 2nd gen more than doubled rated battery life (8 to 18 hours), added a 6GB option, dropped gold, used more saturated colors, and color-matched the Click Wheel text to the body. It also dropped the price to $199. The 1st gen's edges are the exclusive gold color and the in-box FireWire cable and AC adapter.
How do I tell if my Mini is 1st or 2nd gen?
Both are model A1051. Quick tells: the 2nd gen has capacity engraved on the back and Click Wheel text matching the body color. The 1st gen has no capacity engraving and silver Click Wheel text on all colors. If it says 6GB, it's definitely a 2nd gen.
Does this work with my Mac or PC?
On Windows, iTunes syncs reliably (iTunes 4.7 minimum, 12.6.5 recommended). On older Macs, iTunes or Finder works. macOS Sequoia 15.4+ has unreliable iPod recognition — use Windows or an older Mac for reliable syncing. The Mini charges and syncs over both USB 2.0 and FireWire 400.
How long does the battery last?
Apple rated the 2nd gen at up to 18 hours when new. These are 20+ year old devices — original batteries are well past useful life. Refurbished units should ship with a new aftermarket battery. A fresh battery with a flash mod often exceeds the original 18-hour rating.
Can I flash mod a Mini 2nd Generation?
Yes — the Mini is one of the easiest iPods to flash mod. The stock Microdrive uses a native CompactFlash Type II connector, so a CF card or CF-to-SD adapter drops in directly. Users have confirmed up to 256GB working. Format cards 64GB+ as FAT32. The hard-drive flex cable interchanges between Mini 1st and 2nd Generation and is a separate part from the drive.
Can I use Spotify or Apple Music on it?
No streaming apps run on the iPod mini. It plays only local files synced from a computer. Apple Music subscription tracks cannot be synced. For additional format support (FLAC, Ogg), install Rockbox (IPOD_MINI2G build).
Can I use an iPod mini in my car?
Yes — three common routes: a 3.5mm aux cable from the headphone jack, a 30-pin adapter for dock-connector car kits, or an FM transmitter where there is no aux input. The Mini has no built-in Bluetooth, but a small Bluetooth transmitter in the headphone jack adds wireless audio to modern cars.
Why people land on this part
Common Names & Search Terms
Buyers find this iPod using these names and phrases:
Product Names
Comparisons People Make
What Buyers Are Looking For
best small ipod for running, ipod for car aux, offline music player, ipod mini daily driver, ipod mini for gym
Collector & Enthusiast Terms
ipod mini sealed in box, rarest ipod mini color, ipod mini 6gb rare, ipod mini pink 6gb
Compatibility Questions
Other Models to Consider
Compare refurbished iPods across the other model families, or jump to flash mods for this generation:
- Flash mods for iPod Mini 2nd Generation →
You May Also Want
Replacement batteries available if the included battery needs future service.
Related: 128GB Flash Mod Kit (CF-to-SDXC Adapter + 128GB SD Card Included)Upgrade the original microdrive to flash storage for improved durability.
Related: Replacement Microdrive (6GB)Use a hard drive only when restoring original-style storage; use the model's flash-storage path when a compatible adapter path is available.
