Millennials might remember loading up their iPods and MP3 players for the ride to school. Since the iPod first launched nearly 25 years ago, most people have turned to streaming services instead, and Apple’s iPod line was discontinued in 2022.
That doesn’t mean hunger for MP3 players – devices that play media from files downloaded on the devices, not through online streaming services – has gone away. In fact, it seems that the youth yearn for iPods, with the Associated Press reporting this week that “secondhand sales are surging.”
Today, a search for the term “iPod” on the popular social media app TikTok comes with more than 100,000 hashtag hits. Creators on the app are sharing how they have purchased old iPods and modified them, with many who say that the MP3 players are their preferred method of listening to music. Some creators have shared iPod “dupes” purchased through the app’s TikTok shop that mimic the iPod experience.
The Associated Press’ report on the trend this week noted that a new generation is reviving the old technology to experience “distraction free listening,” and TikTok users also cite that as one of the reasons for going (relatively) old school. The New York Times also reported this year that the iPod “enthralls” young music listeners and Apple Insider reported that Gen Z and young adults were embracing the “vintage” technology.
So, why all this love for MP3 players in the age of streaming?
With streaming services, users who pay don’t own a copy of the songs, just a subscription to the service. Users who don’t pay (and some who do, depending on tiers for some apps) have to sit through ads.
Fans of the MP3 players praise them for cutting down on distractions, like avoiding streaming service fees, the temptation to swipe to other apps; giving them the ability to really curate playlists and the ability to load higher quality versions of songs. MP3 players like the old iPods can also be loaded with audiobooks or podcast episodes and some even can play video.
In an article published Tuesday, USA Today said the trend is “fueled by a mix of nostalgia and modern burnout.” It’s related to the “dumb phone” trend Audacy reported on last year, as well as another TikTok trend of making “cyberdecks” – personalized, often decorated accessories featuring various types of retro technology.
“It looks cool,” said one TikTok user who has jumped on the trend.
People are finding old, forgotten iPods tucked into corners of their homes, or getting them secondhand on sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. By the time Apple discontinued the iPod line, more than 450 million of them had been sold, including a variety of different generations and versions. There’s the iPod Classic, the iPod Mini, the iPod Nano, and more.
Support for maintaining these devices and getting new music on them can be found in the growing online community searching out the iPod experience. For example, in a post with more than 45,000 likes as of Thursday, TikToker JPE Gbrandn provided some guidance for those seeking to start their own MP3 journey. He said the third generation iPod Nano has an easier-to-replace battery than others from that line.
“I also think that third gen Nanos are probably the coolest, they look like a mini iPod classic, and that’s just sick,” he said. On the other hand, he also said that iPod minis are very serviceable and easy to modify. Some of these options come in bright colors.
As younger generations discover the joys of experimenting with tech through their love of iPods and MP3 players, Amazon was hit with backlash this week when it announced that it would end support services for Kindle e-readers made before 2013. Multiple outlets, including The Guardian and Wired have reported on criticism for the move, arguing that the devices work fine and ending support could contribute to e-waste.
