How do I remove the maximum volume limit on my iPod?

I forgot the code to unlock the maximum volume limit on my iPod nano, is there some way to hack around it or otherwise get rid of it? I can't even hear my music when I'm on the bus!

Dave's Answer:

First off, a parental disclaimer: if your folks have set the maximum volume limit on your iPod then you really should talk with them about changing it. Honestly, a lot of kids are finding that their hearing is taking a hit from all the loud music and having the speaker shoved into your ear with an earbud, well, that's even worse. Before you decide to change it, can I suggest you read this article: Watch the Volume on your iPod. In it the researcher says:

"Maxing out the volume on a typical MP3 player -- such as the popular Apple "iPod" -- for anything more than five minutes a day can permanently damage a listener's hearing."

Still want to proceed? Well, okayyyyy....

If you know the code, you need to turn the iPod on but pause the music, then go to Settings --> Volume Limit and enter the combo by using the click wheel. Then move the maximum level to your desired point (or all the way to the right to disable it) and press the center button to accept the new setting.

If you don't know your code -- which is why you're reading this article in the first place, I bet -- then here's the bad news: the only way to get around the combination is to restore your iPod to the factory defaults, which means that it'll wipe out all your music, all your videos, photos, games, anything you've put on it. It'll end up as if you'd just pulled it out of a box, brand new.

If you can deal with that, which shouldn't be too bad if you have the disk space on your computer to do a full sync and double-check that all the content on your iPod is mirrored on your Mac or PC, here's how you restore the iPod to its pristine factory state.

Step one is to download iTunes, the very latest version, onto your computer and install it. Back up all the content from your iPod onto your computer using the program and double check that it worked so you don't end up losing your favorite songs and material.

Click on your iPod name on the left panel and you'll see a summary view of how much space you have on it, what kind of material you have taking up space, what version of the iPod software you have, and so on. On that screen you'll also see a Restore button in the middle of the screen, as shown in this image:

Apple iTunes / iPod: Restore iPod to Factory Settings

Once you click that, you'll see a warning:

iTunes Update: Are you sure you want to restore to get rid of your max maximum volume limit?

If you're good with that, click on "Restore" and you might find that you need to download a newer version of the iPod software. If so, you'll have four options: "Restore" using the same software version already on your iPod, "Use Same Version", which uses the same version even though there's a newer one available, "Use Newest Version", and "Restore and Update", which is the choice you should make of these four. Either way, you'll next see:

Restoring Apple iPod Shuffle / Nano / Video to factory state

And, after just a few minutes, you'll be looking at the initial screen of the iPod configuration setup sequence:

Setup Apple iPod post-restore / reformat operation

Now you should be able to pour all your music, audiobooks, video, photos, games, etc etc onto the newly restored iPod and enjoy it all without any volume limit.

Please, though, be careful. Immersive music is one thing, but losing your ability to hear is something else entirely. It's not worth it. Really.

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Categorized: iPod, Sony PSP and MP3 Player Help (Article 7450, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: apple ipod, apple itunes
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Reader Comments To Date: 27

oliver said, on June 28, 2007 10:27 AM:

Actually there is an easier way to do it on the ipod itself.

Instructions as follows..

The main ipod menu >> settings >> Reset All Settings >> Reset

Easy!

Steve said, on July 13, 2007 9:05 PM:

You can also try to use the small PC application that is here http://www.hiddenvision.co.uk/ipod

Hope that hekps

Jeffrey said, on August 23, 2007 7:18 AM:

I know what to do but I dont know how to transfer my music to the new file before I restore it?????

Karl said, on October 4, 2007 5:10 PM:

Hi Dave, was wondering if you had any advice for me? I've been given an old iPod which has been formatted by a Macintosh. Is there any way of reformatting it for Windows XP. I've just downloaded Itunes 4.7 and when I plugged the thing in via firewire it came up with a restore option. However it comes up with "Only windows formatted Ipods can be restored". Is there a way of changing it over? Thanks, Karl

Dave Taylor said, on October 17, 2007 11:09 AM:

Karl, please see this:

http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_to_reformat_mac-formatted_ipod_windows_xp.html

tyler said, on February 1, 2008 10:58 PM:

Is there another way cause i dont want to restore it i have so many songs and pictures?

Sam said, on February 17, 2008 3:08 AM:

Easy peasy way that doesn't involve restoring.

Normally you would have to restore your iPod, but if you follow these instructions carefully and don't delete anything else you're not supposed to delete, it will work.

First, plug your iPod into iTunes and in the main iPod screen, scroll down and select Enable Disk Mode (or Enable Disk Use). Then eject your iPod and plug it back in. Your iPod should now be in My Computer. Double-click on your iPod.

Then enable hidden folders.
First, go to Tools and then click Folder Options. Then click on the View tab, and under Hidden Files and Folders, click Show Hidden Files and Folders.
Then go to the hidden folder called iPod_Control, and in that folder, double click on the folder called Device. Once there, delete the file named "_volumelocked". Be careful. Don't delete anything else.

After you've done all that correctly, eject your iPod (using iTunes). Then restart your iPod by holding down the center and menu button until the screen shows an Apple logo.

Once your iPod has done this, check and make sure that it worked. Go into Settings, then Volume Limit. If it doesn't ask for a code, it worked! If not, have another go and see if it works.

Lilly Evans said, on March 1, 2008 10:15 AM:

If you're like me, and have 30 gb worth of music and videos, you don't want to do that.
Here's the quicker way:
Steps(Mac)

1. 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
2. Navigate to the hidden folder named "iPod_Control", and once there click on the folder "Device". Once there, delete the file named "_volumelocked".
3. Eject your iPod. Then, restart your iPod. You can do this by holding down the center and menu button for at least 6 seconds.
4. 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.

Steps(Windows)

1. Enable hidden folders.
Go to "Tools", "Folder Options". Then click on the tab called "View", and under "Hidden Files and Folders", click "Show Hidden Files and Folders". I honestly do not know how to do this on a mac. I'm simply stupid.
2. Navigate to the hidden folder named "iPod_Control", and once there click on the folder "Device". Once there, delete the file named "_volumelocked".
3. Eject your iPod. Then, restart your iPod. You can do this by holding down the center and menu button for at least 6 seconds.
4. 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.

beyrek said, on May 22, 2008 5:49 AM:

thanks a lot, it works

sasha said, on September 7, 2008 7:50 AM:

I forgot my code when I locked the volume and now I can't unlocke it

George Simpson said, on September 11, 2008 1:38 PM:

THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU!! finally got rid of that goddamn volume limiter having thought i was going to have to type in every combination between 0000 and 9999!! dont know y cos i never even set the bloody thing!! i can now use my earphones and not just my docking station. thankyou!!!

Loren said, on November 8, 2008 6:53 PM:

Is there a way that I can totally disable the volume limit?

idris said, on November 20, 2008 12:23 PM:

i forget the cod of volume limit so how i can resst the cod

thomas said, on December 6, 2008 6:09 PM:

that still didn't tell us how to get the code so that we can get rid of the volume limit, it jus told us how to wipe the ipod memory

chris said, on October 1, 2009 1:29 PM:

Thanks alot. :)

Panos said, on February 10, 2010 7:46 AM:

Hi Dave! The way you describe for removing the max limit volume applies to the 160Gb too? Thanks a lot for your attention!! Panos

kasha said, on May 18, 2010 6:40 AM:

thanks so much for your advise- it obviously worked out. thank you for your time. kasha

QASIM said, on June 12, 2010 4:27 AM:

yes.......i tried to unlock volume limit by deleting this file and it worked like a charm...many thanks for this greaaaaaaat tip

Imathon said, on September 28, 2010 1:59 AM:

Mine says my iPod cannot be restored because it is in use by another application. What do you think the problem is?

akshat said, on December 1, 2010 10:44 PM:

hey thanx it worked!!!!!!!

esteebie said, on December 15, 2010 6:06 AM:

Hi Dave - I have the latest iPod shuffle and it seems they've changed the way this works as that folder and file aren't there. I can't find any equivalent file in the directory structure of the iPod. Would love guidance as simply can't hear podcasts when on noisy trains - even at maximum volume and with volume adjusted +100% in itunes. crazy!

katrine's mom said, on April 30, 2011 4:10 PM:

Oh goodness - thank you so much Dave! Instructions that even a mom can understand - You just saved the birthday party :)

MAX said, on August 21, 2011 9:09 AM:

What Works: Follow the instructions psted by Lilli March 1, 2008 about Enabling hidden folders and then deleting the file named "_volumelocked". It works, it's easy, it preserves your iPod content. If you then want to add a new Volume Control Limit code, the option is offered.

hygbhn said, on October 16, 2011 5:34 AM:

Wait how do u enable all the folders?? D:

Iris said, on November 29, 2011 2:10 AM:

Thanks, it was very helpful I got the volume on track now thanks to you Dave.God bless you. ; )

Jackie said, on December 29, 2011 10:57 AM:

Thank you so much helping with my issue. Info on putting iPod back to factory settings was just what I needed. This removed the volume limit and now iPod is running great. Thanks there is a lot of iso out there but this info actually worked thanks again so much.

Eve said, on January 16, 2013 9:51 AM:

Thank you! I'm just heading off for a trip to Africa, and I'd never have survived without being able to hear my songs!
Great job!

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How do I remove the maximum volume limit on my iPod?

Reader Comments To Date: 27

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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