iPod disabled for 21+ million minutes (can't restore)

iPod disabled for 21+ million minutes (can't restore)

So the other day I just randomly picked up up my iPod and it showed the lock screen that typically shows up when someone guesses the wrong password too many times except for this time it read "iPod is disabled, try again in 21,741,428 minutes." The last thing I want to do is wait 40 years to use my iPod again. Now I know the common solution to this problem is to simply restore it, but I have not backed up any of my files or synced it to any computer yet. I haven't had it too long and have just been buying songs off the device. The last thing I want to do is lose all the money I put into it by restoring it and erasing the files. When I try to pull it up on iTunes is says: "iTunes cannot connect with iPod because it is locked. Please enter code and try again." I've been told to take it into the Apple Store. Can they do anything? Please help!

Asked by: Guest | Views: 190

Total answers/comments: 6

Comments display order:

bert [Entry]

"Danny, the only way that I know how to do that is in the Windows environment. Not sure how to do it with a Mac OS. There is a way to erase the password without erasing your files:

Plug in your iPod. Open My Computer (or Computer for Vista). Click on Folder options and enable to view hidden files. Go to iPod_control and click on the folder named Device. If your iPod is locked, there will be a file _locked. Rename the file to _unlocked. Remove your iPod and it should be cleared.

This is the only way that I am aware off, other then a total restore where you will of course lose your data. Good luck and let us know if it works."

bert [Entry]

"The solution for this problem is to put the iPod in recovery mode and restore it. There is no other known way to get out of this state.

Follow this guide to get the iPod into recovery mode and restore it. This should explain the details on how to do it, but if you have any questions I'll answer them if I can.

For iOS 7+ devices, restoring it requires that you know the Apple ID due to the Activation Lock these devices have as a part of the OS. For iOS 8+ devices, this is your only option to recover the device as the password is encrypted so Apple cannot decrypt it. You will need to guess on a device you need the data from."

bert [Entry]

If you bought the songs from the iTunes store then all of your music is okay and you just have to re-download it on your phone. The songs are linked to your account. So if you sign in on itunes and go to the store, you should see a list of purchased songs. If you didn't purchase from the iTunes store I would try previous answers.

bert [Entry]

hold power button and home button for 10 seconds with itunes open, after ten seconds let go power button and keep holding home for another 10 sec. after that your ipod will appear in itunes ready to be restored...(only ipod touch or iphone)

bert [Entry]

Ok, this problem is serious. But this is relatively simple, just go to recovery mode. Make sure your iPod is plugged charging. Hold the home and lock button. The screen should go black, and when the Apple loge comes up, release the lock button. Hole the home button until the thing tells you to connect to iTunes. Connect to iTunes, and wait. iTunes should say "iTunes cannot connect to your iPod touch because it is in recovery mode" or something like that. After this, just simply hit "restore".. It should start restoring the stuff or resetting everything like new.

bert [Entry]

"I know this question is ridiculously old but i thought i'd post this simply for anyone else who comes across this issue. I ran in to this issue with my son's iPod. His time on his phone was 22,987,898 minutes. So roughly 43 years...

All I had to do was hook it to the computer that I last synced it to and hit sync. It then stated that the passcode was required. I hit the home button on the phone and it was back to the passcode screen. I put the code in and was good to go.

There is no need to do DFU mode or any of that. No need to wipe it or even lose your jailbreak if you have it. It just loads right up.

You do have to make sure it's the computer you originally synced it with. A different computer doesn't seem to work. I tried that first."