Sprout Pi Brings Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to Old iPods
A London-based crowdsourced project is developing a replacement logic board that adds wireless connectivity and USB-C charging to select legacy iPod models.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Music — General
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The Sprout Pi Mainboard project is developing a new logic board for older iPods that adds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB-C charging. The Sprout launch video has passed 1 million views on YouTube, though the Crowd Supply campaign has not yet launched and no pricing or availability has been announced.
Why it matters
Apple discontinued the iPod years ago, and existing modifications typically swap only the hard drive and battery while leaving the original wired-only audio in place. Sprout's approach replaces the entire original logic board, offering a more substantial upgrade for owners of compatible devices.
The launch video has surpassed 1 million YouTube views, and the board supports microSD cards up to 2TB, but the Crowd Supply campaign has not launched and no pricing or availability details have been released.
The players
Sprout Pi Mainboard
A crowdsourced hardware project developed by a London studio that is creating a replacement logic board for legacy iPods.
The details
The Sprout logic board replaces the original logic board of compatible iPods while retaining the original screen and click wheel, and runs an interface resembling the original. It includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a hi-fi DAC, USB-C charging, and a microSD slot, and comes in two versions: one for local playback only and one with Wi-Fi support for streaming and AirPlay.
Timeline
October 2026: The iPod turned 25 years old.
November 1, 2026: Coverage of the Sprout Pi Mainboard project was published.
Music Gear Trajectory
Sprout follows a long line of third-party iPod modifications, but it goes further than typical hard-drive and battery swaps by replacing the full logic board. This positions it as a more ambitious effort to modernize classic portable players for current wireless listening habits.
Owners of compatible 1st and 2nd-generation iPod mini and 3rd and 4th-generation iPods could eventually gain Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB-C charging. Sprout is not yet available for purchase, and the streaming features that depend on Wi-Fi are still in development.
The takeaway
Owners of compatible classic iPods should watch for the Crowd Supply campaign launch before planning any upgrade, since pricing and availability remain unannounced and some features are still in development.
Further reading
Explore more on Music — General for related coverage of audio hardware and music technology.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Engadget.
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