Apple Music 404 Page Includes Playable iPod Easter Egg
Apple Music's website hides a playable first-generation iPod on its 404 page. The click-wheel device offers 90-second song previews and includes a hidden Breakout game accessible through its settings. The easter egg appeared on the 25th anniversary of the original iPod announcement and is only available in a browser.
The hidden device appears on Apple Music web addresses that do not resolve, and a special /ipod route swaps the usual error wording for a question. It is browser-only; desktop users can bypass app handoff with a modifier key, while mobile users can long-press and choose to open the link.
The simulated first-generation player uses its wheel for navigation and offers 90-second previews from a roster including Beyoncé, Coldplay, Daft Punk, and U2. A deeper trick in the About menu unlocks Breakout, the Atari-era game tied to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The find surfaced on the 25th anniversary of the iPod's announcement; Apple ended the iPod line with the touch in 2022.
The return of a familiar click-wheel interface could resonate with longtime music fans and spark nostalgia-driven sharing, drawing casual visitors deeper into Apple Music's web presence. For younger users, it may serve as a playful introduction to pre-smartphone media devices. Because the feature is browser-only and hidden, its broader effect is likely modest, though it may encourage brands to treat error pages as lightweight engagement spaces.