iPod Mini 2nd Generation — Flash Mod Service (installed by iMods)

Your iPod Mini, flash-modded

A flash mod takes out your iPod Mini’s Microdrive and puts flash storage in its place: a memory card on a flash adapter. People also search for it as an SD card mod or an SSD upgrade. It ends Microdrive failures: there is no mechanical drive left to click, stall or seize. The iPod gets lighter and plays longer on a charge. You choose 128GB or 256GB, and both sizes run Apple’s own iPod software.

Mail us your iPod and we do the rest: we fit the flash storage in the size you choose, add a new battery if you want one, restore Apple’s software, test it, and send it back with a 1-year limited warranty. It typically takes 3–5 business days on our bench.

Rather buy one built for you? Every refurbished iPod Mini 2nd Gen we sell can be ordered with flash storage: see them all.

What a flash mod fixes

If your iPod Mini’s Microdrive is failing, now is the ideal time for a flash upgrade. When the Microdrive is the cause, a flash mod fixes the problems below, because the part that fails is the part we take out.

• A sad face on the screen.
• A folder icon that keeps coming back.
• Clicking or grinding from inside.
• Freezing or skipping songs.
• Stuck on the Apple logo, or it keeps turning itself off.
• It won’t restore.
• It doesn’t show up on the computer, or a sync stops partway.

Not sure it’s the Microdrive? Our free diagnostic tells you, with no obligation.

Why flash

Why keep your iPod? Apple no longer repairs these iPods. We do: Apple now repairs only the last two iPod touch models, and a flash mod from us keeps your click-wheel iPod playing, instead of in a drawer or a landfill. If it stopped working because its Microdrive failed, a flash mod brings it back. And it plays your own music, offline: no subscription, no algorithms, no notifications.

What’s included

The price includes the flash adapter, the memory card, fitting, restore and test. Not included: moving the songs from your old Microdrive (back up your library first, or add our $129 music transfer), and repairs to any other part of the iPod. Shipping: choose “We Fix It + box” and we send you our protective box, a bubble mailer and a prepaid USPS label, or choose “We Fix It” and pack it yourself in any sturdy box.

How it works

1. Order online. Choose the size and the battery above. Pick “We Fix It + box” if you would like our shipping box and prepaid label.
2. Mail your iPod. Two things go in the box: your iPod and your work order. No cables, cases or docks. No printer? Put a note in the box with your name, return address, email, order number and what is wrong with it, if anything. Mailing instructions
3. We fit and test it. Flash storage in, a new battery if you chose one, Apple’s software restored, then tested: it plays, charges and syncs. Typically 3–5 business days on our bench.
4. It comes back to you. Shipped back with a 1-year limited warranty, satisfaction guaranteed.

Before you send it: your music

The flash storage replaces the Microdrive, so the songs on it don’t carry over on their own. Sync or back up your library with iTunes or the Finder before you send the iPod, or add our music transfer. If the iPod still shows up on your computer, copy off anything you want to keep: here is how to copy music from an iPod to a computer. If the iPod was set up on a Mac, copy the music on a Mac: iTunes for Windows only recognizes iPods formatted on Windows. If it clicks or drops off the computer while you copy, stop and send it for our free diagnostic.

If it no longer shows up, contact us before you order: what we can do for the songs on a failing Microdrive is case by case, and songs can’t always be recovered.

Music transfer, $129, with your flash mod. Tick “Add music transfer” when you order. If your old Microdrive still shows up on our bench computer, we copy everything on it, your songs and playlists, onto the new flash storage, so your iPod comes back with its library on it. If the Microdrive won’t read, we refund the $129. It adds 1–2 business days. When it comes back, sync it only with a library that has those songs: a sync makes the iPod match the computer. To put them in your library first, copy them off the iPod.

Add a new battery

We can fit a new battery while your iPod Mini is open: choose it under “Add a new battery” when you order. The new battery is 5% off with your flash mod.

On the iPod Mini the battery sits behind the screen: a swollen one rarely bulges the case, but it shows as a dark spot on the display, and the spot usually fades once the battery is replaced.

A swollen battery is worn out and no longer safe: stop charging it. You can still mail the iPod to us as normal.

Apple’s figures for a new iPod Mini 2nd Gen: up to 18 hours of music, and about 3 hours for a full charge on the 4GB, about 4 hours on the 6GB. With flash, the iPod plays longer on a charge than it did with its Microdrive. These iPods have no battery-health screen: a battery that runs out much sooner than Apple’s rating is most likely worn out.