Charging your iPod battery

If you're not sure how to check if standby, sleep, or hibernation mode are active, click the appropriate link to see more:

If you are using Windows XP

If you are using Mac OS X

If you are using Windows Vista

Unexpected Charging Behavior

There are certain situations where certain iPods may display behavior in which it looks like the battery isn't charging when it actually is. Or you may think your iPod is charging but it is not:

• If you use Windows 2000, the iPod may stop charging after it syncs. See document 304801 "iPod: Proper charging procedures for Windows 2000" for steps to make sure the iPod keeps charging.
• iPod will stop charging if the computer or portable computer it's connected to goes to sleep. Turn sleep off and make sure the portable is plugged into power.
• When you connect iPod nano to your computer using a USB 2.0 hub, the battery charging indicator may appear to slow down. This is cosmetic and does not mean that iPod nano is charging more slowly.
• If the battery is fully discharged in an iPod nano, Fifth Generation iPod, or iPod mini (Second Generation), the charge icon won't animate and you may have to wait up to ten minutes before your computer will recognize it. Click here for additional information.
• When you eject iPod nano in iTunes but leave it connected to the USB 2.0 port, the battery indicator at the top of the screen may not animate when charging. If you see a lightning bolt in the battery indicator icon, iPod nano is charging.

Charging Your iPod

You can charge your iPod battery by connecting it to an Apple iPod Power Adapter or by connecting it to a high-power USB port (or FireWire port, if applicable) on your computer.

• Using a Power Adapter
  If you're using an Apple iPod Power Adapter, connect your iPod to the adapter using the FireWire or USB cable that came with your iPod. Then plug the adapter into a working electrical socket. Adapters are available from the Apple Store.
• Using Your Computer
  If you want to charge your iPod using your computer, make sure that your computer is turned on, it isn't sleeping (refer to the computer's manual to find out how to turn sleep off), and that the USB or FireWire port you connect your iPod to provides power. If you use USB, connect your iPod to a high-powered port using the USB cable that came with your iPod (or an Apple-branded cable). High-powered USB ports are typically found on the computer itself—not on your keyboard, which is low-powered.
  
  Note: If using a portable computer, make sure it is plugged into power and that the lid or display is open because if the lid is closed the computer may go into either standby, sleep, or hibernation mode and iPod will not charge.
  
  FireWire ports on all Macs and some PCs provide electricity. If your FireWire port only has four pins, it doesn't provide electricity. If you're using FireWire, connect your iPod to a FireWire port on your computer using the FireWire cable that came with your iPod (or an Apple-branded cable).

Once connected, your iPod battery will be 80 percent charged in about an hour, and fully charged in about 4 hours (time may vary with models - iPod nano is 80 percent charged in 1.5 hours and fully charged in about 3 hours and Fifth Generation iPod is 80 percent charged in 2 hours and fully charged in about 4 hours). You can disconnect and use your iPod before the battery is fully charged, and you don't have to wait until it's completely empty before charging it again. This is because lithium-ion batteries, such as those used in iPod, have none of the memory effects seen in nickel-based rechargeable batteries.

The battery stops charging when it's full, so you don't have to worry if you leave it plugged in overnight (leaving your iPod connected to an electrical source all the time doesn't continuously charge it). Once the battery is charged (the battery icon will stop animating), disconnect your iPod. If you're using your computer to charge iPod, make sure that you disconnect your iPod correctly when it's finished charging.

For more information about charging your battery, see your iPod User Manual. For more information about iPod batteries, see the iPod battery FAQ.

How to check the battery's status

Your iPod displays a battery icon in the upper-right corner of the screen to show approximately how much charge is left. If the iPod is asleep while being charged, a larger version of the same icon appears in the center of the screen. Click here for how to check the charge on an iPod shuffle.

Using an iPod Dock

iPod nano, Fifth Generation iPod, iPod photo, iPod (dock connector), iPod (Click Wheel), iPod with color display, and iPod mini models can be charged while sitting in their docks, as long as the conditions mentioned above for using a computer to charge are met. Make sure that you connect the iPod Dock to a high-powered USB or FireWire port on your computer or to an iPod Power Adapter.

Charging iPod around the World

So, what if you're going abroad? Can you charge your iPod overseas? Absolutely. The Apple iPod Power Adapter can accommodate the common electrical standards used throughout the world. To make things easy, consider purchasing the World Travel Adapter Kit so you'll always have the right set of plugs for the many outlets you're bound to encounter. The kit also works with most iBook and PowerBook G4 power adapters.

Warranty Information

If your iPod is no longer covered by Apple's One Year Limited warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod, you may replace the battery for a fee under the Out-of-Warranty Battery Program. See the iPod Battery Replacement Program page for more information.