Broken Apple Music page hides playable iPod
A hidden virtual replica of the original iPod allows users to play 1,029 songs on a specific error page.
By Ivan Dvorak ·
Apple Music users who encounter a broken link are now greeted by a fully functional virtual iPod instead of just an error message. The interactive device sits below the standard notification on the platform's error page, offering a playable tribute to the hardware that launched Apple's consumer electronics empire.
The digital replica mirrors the original device released 25 years ago. The interface includes the iconic click wheel and familiar menu sections for Playlists, Artists, Songs, and Settings. Users can navigate these menus and select tracks from a library containing exactly 1,029 songs. Each track plays for a maximum of 90 seconds before stopping.
The experience works best on mobile devices. Touch screens provide a more responsive feel than desktop mice, which reportedly struggle to register input correctly. The interface contains minor bugs, but the core controls function as intended. The music selection features artists from the early 2000s, including Baha Men, blink-182, and Eminem. UK-based users also saw Daniel Bedingfield, The Fratellis, and Klaxons in their lists, though the specific lineup may vary by region.
The virtual iPod also includes a hidden game mode. Notebook Check found that the Breakout-style game Brick is accessible within the interface. To start the game, users must hold the center button on the About screen for several seconds, replicating the shortcut from the physical device.
Apple did not require an active Apple Music subscription to access the virtual player. The company has not issued a public statement explaining the inclusion of the feature. The Easter egg serves as a commemoration of the original iPod's 25th anniversary, marking a quarter century since the device was first unveiled to the public.
The original iPod was marketed with the promise of holding 1,000 songs in a user's pocket. The new web feature allows modern users to test that claim directly in a browser. The interactive element remains accessible to anyone who stumbles upon the specific error code on the Apple Music website.
