Put iPod into Diagnostics Mode
If you really want to do some neat tricks and hacks with your ipod, just place it into Diagnostics Mode. You’ll enjoy a zillion ways to hack, test, and tweak your ipod from there.
Many interesting iPod hacks start by starting your iPod’s Diagnostics Mode. Here is how to do it.
First, you’ll need to reset or reboot your ipod.
– Slide the Hold key to the right and then left. Then hold the menu and middle select buttons until it reboots.
As soon as the ipod restarts, hold the left “back” and the middle “select” buttons.
Hold these buttons until it boots into Diagnostic mode. You’ll see the SRV Diag Boot appear.
If you want to exit Diagnostics mode, just repeat the reset/reboot directions above.
The Conversation
Follow the reactions below and share your own thoughts.


February 08, 2009 at 10:49 pm, yw said:
you have to hold the middle button down while restarting to reset
February 08, 2009 at 10:51 pm, BOB125 said:
yep you have to hold down the middle button dowon while re-starting to getBack to main screen
February 15, 2009 at 9:39 pm, Meg said:
Thank you, you just saved my life.
June 03, 2009 at 10:42 pm, Matthew said:
to get out of this mode you have to press menu and center until you see the apple logo. then press and hold the center and forward button (one on right).
July 14, 2009 at 9:29 pm, Anonymous said:
MY IPOD DISPLAYED A SAD ICON, I AM IN DIAGNOSTIC MODE NOW. WHAT DO I DO NEXT? CAN ANYONE HELP ME?
August 07, 2009 at 7:18 pm, Anonymous said:
I cannot go out the Sys dialog even if I reset (in the menu or Menu/Enter).
How the hell it can happen?
January 02, 2010 at 3:08 pm, Anonymous said:
i hav 30gb classic ipod ,, pressed select+menu ,prev+select(diag test) then reset,select+play,,,,,,,,,, after all
im enable to start in normal mode.i tried all possibilities to do so.it freezes on assesorizes test and nothing happen ,help me