Unlock iPod Volume Limit
Does a pesky iPod volume limit have you in a bind, because you like your music to punish your ears with overwhelmingly loud sound? Or do you have really big earphones that need more volume to sound accurate? If you know the password, this isn't for you, but when you're at the end of the rope with no other option, here's a simple fix without restoring or formatting your iPod. Here are a few ways to remove the iPod Volume Limit without a password.
Note: this Solution does NOT apply to iPods that are factory-volume-locked (Apple sells devices that have a reduced volume in Europe because of EU law prohibiting an output of more than 100 dB). This tutorial only applies to Volume Limit that has been configured through the iPod Settings menu.
Contents
Steps
Quick Hack Method (All OS)
- Plug in your iPod and iTunes will open (or open it yourself)
- Select all you songs by clicking Ctrl and A. (PC's: Ctrl and A at the same time. Mac's: Apple and A at the same time.)
- Right click your songs.
- Click "Get Info"
- Click "Yes"
- Click the "Options" tab
- Check "Volume Adjustment"
- Slide the cursor all the way to "+100%". Select Okay.
Hidden Folders Method for Mac
- Enable hidden folders.
If you go into Terminal and run these two commands all the hidden files appear when you open Finder.
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
killall Finder
To get back to hiding hidden files use these commands
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE
killall Finder - Navigate to the hidden folder named "iPod_Control", and once there click on the folder "Device". Once there, delete the file named "_volumelocked".
- Eject your iPod. Then, restart your iPod. You can do this by holding down the center and menu button for at least 6 seconds.
- Once your iPod has rebooted, check and make sure that it worked. Simply go into "Settings", "Volume Limit". If it asks for a PIN, you did it WRONG. Retry the above procedure.
Hidden Folders Method for PC
- Enable hidden folders.
In Windows Explorer,go to "Tools", "Folder Options". Then click on the tab called "View", and under "Hidden Files and Folders", click "Show Hidden Files and Folders". - Navigate ("My Computer" to double-click on the icon of your attached iPod) to the hidden folder named "iPod_Control", and once there click on the folder "Device". Once there, copy the file named "_volumelocked" to a folder on your hard drive then delete it from the iPod.
- Eject your iPod. Then, restart your iPod. You can do this by holding down the center and menu button for at least 6 seconds. If using an iPod Nano, hold down the center button and menu button simultaneously for about 10 seconds.
- Once your iPod has rebooted, check and make sure that it worked. Simply go into "Settings", "Volume Limit". If it asks for a PIN, you did it WRONG. Retry the above procedure.
Linux Method
- Mount your IPOD. Once mounted, open the device and press (Alt-.), to show hidden folders. The file named "_volumelocked" may or may not be hidden, either delete it or move it to trash.
- Eject your iPod. Then, restart your iPod. You can do this by holding down the center and menu button for at least 6 seconds.
- Once your iPod has rebooted, check and make sure that it worked. Simply go into "Settings", "Volume Limit". If it asks for a PIN, you did it WRONG. Retry the above procedure.
Warnings
Note that some methods may not work on all iPods. Not all iPods have the file called "_volumelocked" it is impossible to get better sound on some of the iPod gens, for example the 5g 60-80 gigabyte iPods.
- Don't listen to music too loudly. It will destroy your hearing.
- Don't delete any more files than necessary as it may prevent your iPod from working.
Things You'll Need
- iPod
- A computer with iTunes
