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Can Ipod touch 2 and 5 connect to wifi in 2024? How?

I have an ipod touch 2, version 4.21, and an ipod touch 5, version 9.3.5, that have been sitting around for years unused. They still work, but they are unable to connect to wifi. The password is correct, the wifi works on everything else, network settings have been reset on the ipods, and the ipods have been shutdown and restarted. The message on the ipod touch 2 is "incorrect password for ...". The message on the ipod touch 5 is "Unable to join the network...". Is there a fix for this? I have looked at older discussions here and I have done everything suggested except a total factory reset which would delete everything on the ipods. Or are the operating systems (that can't be updated) too out of sync with present day (2024) protocols that prohibit the ipods from connecting?

iPod touch

Posted on Mar 2, 2024 10:29 AM

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Posted on Jul 14, 2024 12:34 PM

I found the fix, at least on my network. The iPod touch 5 will not connect to networks with "WPA2/WPA3" security.

It WILL connect to networks with "WPA2 PMF optional" security.

So you have to downgrade your network security a little bit to get it to connect.

9 replies

Mar 3, 2024 2:47 AM in response to appledoh

My 2nd gen iPod Touch (which was missing for a long time, until I found it under the microwave) can connect to the internet, so I believe the answer is yes, to both iPods. However, neither of those models can connect to the App Store or to the iTunes Store.


Bearing in mind the above, are you saying that you cannot connect to your Wi-Fi, or you are connected but you are unable to access either the App Store or the iTunes Store?


To check whether you can connect to the internet, use Safari and look for something simple online (just search for a word or something). If the issue is that your iPod cannot even connect to your Wi-Fi, go onto the next steps.


If you cannot even connect to your Wi-Fi, let's see if we can identify the issue. We'll use your 2nd gen model as that's the one I have so we'll be using identical menus:

    1. go into Settings and look at the Wi-Fi option. If the word Off is shown, go into the option and turn it on. It may require a long-hold on the button, rather than sliding it
    2. once Wi-Fi is on, does your network appear on the list that is headed Choose a Network...? If not, make sure that you are in range of your router
    3. if your iPod does not automatically connect to the network (it will show a tick next to the name), tap it to select it and you should then be asked to type in the password for the router (not your Apple ID). Note that the password will be case sensitive, but keyboard shows the letters in capitals, but it only types a capital letter if the shift key (the arrow on the left of the keyboard) is solid white*
    4. if the iPod was already connected to the correct network, but you cannot get online, try tapping the arrow icon at the end of the router name line and then tap the Forget this Network button shown at the top of the window
      1. if you had to use the Forget this Network option, your router should still appear on the Choose a Network list, but without the tick (checkmark). Select it and put in the password*


* the shift key on the iPod's keypad works as follows:

    • outline of an arrow in white - types the next character in lowercase
    • solid white glowing arrow - types the next letter as a capital letter
    • solid white arrow, on blue "key" - types all characters in uppercase until turned off


Mar 3, 2024 11:09 AM in response to the fiend

Thank you for the reply. It is good to know that it should connect to wifi. I have even reset the ipod touch 5 to factory default while connected to my iMac, but it still won't connect to my wifi network independently. Yes, I know the basics of connecting to wifi. Wifi is set to on and password is correct. I guess I need to go to the Apple store or be content just to connect via the computer when needed.

Can Ipod touch 2 and 5 connect to wifi in 2024? How?

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