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Apple device returns to Gen Z’s routine in 2026 with nostalgia, focus, and rejection of screen excess
The habit of listening to music away from notifications has regained space among young Brazilians in 2026. Part of Gen Z has started to swap their cell phones for the iPod, Apple’s old music player, during workouts, studies, and commutes.
The change goes beyond nostalgia. According to reports to g1, interest in the device has grown because it doesn’t offer social networks, algorithms, constant alerts, or endless feeds. For many users, the iPod has become a simple way to listen to music in peace.
Demand for iPods grows on resale sites
The return of the device is also reflected in the numbers of the used market. According to Enjoei, the total value of iPods sold on the platform in the first quarter of 2026 was 47% higher than in the same period of 2025.
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OLX reported that searches for iPods increased by 18.9% in April 2026, compared to April 2025. Between January and April 2026, the increase in searches reached 22% compared to the same period the previous year.
Youths seek music without distractions
Among the young people interviewed by g1, the main reason is the desire to reduce interruptions. Lisandra Reis, 29, said that her cell phone disrupted her runs, as any notification sparked curiosity.
She started using an iPod Touch purchased in 2019. Although she likes the nostalgic aesthetic, the main goal is to listen to music without pauses.
Emanuelle Assunção, 27, also uses an iPod Touch. The device was bought used in 2024 for R$ 230. Today, it accompanies her weight training, reading, and rides in app-based cars.
Spotify stops working on old models
The iPod Touch still resembles an iPhone, but it no longer offers some current functions. According to Emanuelle, in 2024 it was still possible to use Spotify on the device.
In 2026, the app no longer worked. According to a verification cited by g1, Spotify no longer appears as compatible with any iPod model in the App Store.
The solution was to revert to the old process: manually downloading music on the computer and transferring it to the device.
Manual process becomes part of the experience
For Cláudio Wollace, 26, this process is not a problem. He considers the manual transfer of music a “refreshing” experience.
According to Cláudio, the absence of algorithms changes the relationship with music. The user listens only to what they decided to put on the device.
Even subscribing to streaming services, he prefers to use the iPod. Cláudio claims to even feel a better sound quality on the device.
The young man uses an iPod Nano bought in 2025 for R$ 130, mainly at the gym and during college studies.
Communities keep old iPods functioning
The current interest also drives restoration communities. According to Filipe Esposito, an Apple specialist who has been following the company for 17 years, there is still a large community dedicated to restoring old iPods.
These users replace batteries, expand storage, and keep the devices functioning both for sentimental reasons and for daily use.
For Esposito, the historical success of the iPod came from its combination with iTunes, which made it easy to purchase music and create playlists.
At the time, tracks could be purchased separately for US$ 0.99, about R$ 1.80 during the mentioned period. Initially, the first iPod worked only with Mac computers. Later, Apple launched iTunes for PC and expanded the product’s reach.
Nostalgia becomes a response to hyperconnectivity
The return of iPods accompanies another recent movement: the revival of products from the 2000s. Wired headphones, Cyber-shot cameras, and walkmans have also reappeared among young people seeking simpler experiences.
For Angelica Mari, a cyberpsychology specialist, the trend reveals a symbolic refusal of hyperconnectivity. According to her, downloading music and manually updating playlists goes against current convenience but returns autonomy to the user.
Angelica also states that wired headphones generate a physical sense of connection, lost with Bluetooth.
The search for simplicity, however, has become more expensive. A used iPod Classic, desired by Cláudio, can exceed R$ 1,000 online.
The iPod has ceased to be just an old item. The device has become a symbol of focus, manual choice, and a pause from digital distractions.
In a routine dominated by screens, notifications, and automatic recommendations, has listening to music without interruptions become the new luxury of connected life?
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