iPods on TikTok: This is how they're trending again

A few years ago, if someone pulled out an iPod in public, it was likely to draw curious or nostalgic glances. Today, in 2025, seeing an iPod in someone's hand is no longer unusual: it's trend, especially on TikTok. Younger generations, especially Gen Z, have embraced this classic device not only as a music-listening tool, but also as part of their digital identity and retro aesthetic.
Why on TikTok?
TikTok is a network where trends emerge and die at an astonishing rate, and iPods are no exception. The phenomenon began with users showing off their old devices, restoring them, and telling personal stories about them. Then came the "a day with me and my iPod" videos, where creators demonstrate how to unplug from their phones and use the iPod as a distraction-free tool.
Some clips even show how to convert an old iPod into a modern player, complete with Bluetooth connectivity, new batteries, and custom cases. These videos have racked up millions of views and have fueled a new wave of sales in secondhand stores and platforms like eBay.
Vintage is cool
For TikTok users, iPods aren't just functional; they're also a symbol of style. In an ecosystem where pastel colors, oversized headphones, and retro filters are all the rage, the iPod fits right in. Creative users pair it with Y2K-style outfits, wear it on a chain, or even decorate it with stickers and shiny cases.
That "digital vintage" aesthetic is a key part of why the iPod is back. Young people aren't just using it: they presumeEach video is a way to show that you can enjoy music in a different way, without relying on Spotify or YouTube all the time.
Is it just a passing fad?
Maybe so. Maybe not. But the truth is, iPods are having a second wind thanks to TikTok and its ability to make any object with a good visual story go viral. As more users join the trend, more people are revaluing their old devices and rediscovering a simpler, more focused way to listen to music.
And while many will eventually return to their phones to listen to music, the iPod has already left its mark. Today, it represents a form of resistance against hyperconnectivity, a way of saying, "Today I just want to listen to music, nothing else."

Did you also see an iPod on TikTok? Did it make you want to use one again?