Immediately after its launch in 2001. It didn’t take long for the original iPod to become a cultural phenomenon. The slogan “1000 songs in your pocket” made him an instant hit. Eventually, iPhones and Androids replaced iPods for most people, but some still love them and use their old music players to this day.
However, it was the original iPod interface that played a major role in their popularity. Although Apple has discontinued the iPod, you can bring the classic iPod-style music player to your Android phone using the ClassPod. It’s a free, open-source music player that features the signature click wheel and minimal interface, and it doesn’t cost a cent.
Classic iPod interface
Signature iPod interface with click wheel
class pod Attempts to replicate the iPod experience by offering a clean and minimal interface. It’s free and open source, although you can donate to the developer to support continued development. The screen is divided into two parts: the top area shows the classic iPod display, and the bottom is a virtual click wheel.
Navigation works just like the original iPod. You scroll the ring to move through the menu, press the center button to select, and press the menu button to go back. The app is a tour guide when you first open it, but if you’ve ever used an iPod, you’ll feel right at home. There’s even a cover view that lets you browse albums by scrolling horizontally through the album art, much like later iPod models.
The top display area is also touchable by default, so you can tap to select items instead of relying entirely on the wheel. It’s a nice modern touch that doesn’t take away from the retro feel.
Local music playback
Offline compatibility and background play
ClassPod is an open source app that runs completely offline. There is no streaming integration or connection to Spotify, Apple Music, or any other service. ClassPod focuses entirely on the music files stored on your device, making it a solid choice if you prefer apps designed for large local libraries.
The app automatically scans your storage and displays all detected music files in a classic iPod-style menu. You can browse by artists, albums, songs, or playlists. If you add new music after installing the app, there’s a Listen option in Settings that picks up the new files. You can also exclude specific directories if you want to keep certain folders out of your library.
Playback continues in the background when you leave the app, so it works like any normal music player while you use other apps. Now the playing screen lets you explore play/pause, skip controls, and long press within a song. You can also adjust the volume by swiping on the click wheel, and the playback option is accessible through the playback menu.
Lots of customization
Change the interface and background theme
ClassPod lets you customize the look of the music player with different instrument colors, including silver and black options that mimic the original iPod hardware. You can also adjust the size of the click wheel between three presets to match the size of your hand or screen, and change the sensitivity to control how quickly it scrolls through menus.
The app supports haptic feedback, so every scroll tick and button press gives off a subtle vibration. You can also enable clickwheel sounds, though you may need to turn on system tap sounds in Android settings for them to work.
For a more immersive experience, enable Immersive Mode to hide the Android system bars, making the interface feel like a full-screen classic iPod. You can also disable split-screen mode so it looks more like a standalone retro device than a modern multitasking app. If you’ve ever wanted to turn your Android phone into a minimalist music player, ClassPod definitely gets you close.
Where it is lacking
Some rough edges remain
ClassPod has some issues that can be annoying. The most common problem is that the app is stuck Scanning music files screen, especially after adding new songs. As a workaround, you’ll need to stop the app and force clear data to get it working again.
There’s no built-in equalizer to adjust the audio output, which is a miss for anyone who likes to adjust bass or treble. You also can’t manually select a specific music directory, meaning the app scans your entire device and only allows you to exclude folders, not add specific items. If the ClassPod doesn’t detect your music for some reason, it doesn’t work. It also misses lyrics support, but that’s to be expected on the iPod Retro app.
- OS
-
Android
- Pricing model
-
free
ClassPod is a retro-style native music player that brings the iconic iPod Classic experience to life with a clickwheel interface, customizable themes, offline playback, album art display, and intuitive navigation for your music library.
ClassPod brings the classic iPod experience to your phone
If you need equalization, folder selection, or streaming integration, ClassPod won’t replace a full-featured music player. But that’s not really the point. It’s a nostalgic trip that works surprisingly well for casual listening, especially if you have a local music collection and miss the simplicity of the original iPod interface.
If you grew up with an iPod and want to bring that experience to life on your Android phone, ClassPod delivers. It’s free, open source, and captures the essence of what made the iPod special – a clean interface, a click wheel, and nothing getting in the way of your music.