Apple Music error page now shows working 2001 iPod

Apple has placed a functional replica of the original iPod on its music website to mark the 25th anniversary of the device. The company introduced the first iPod on October 23, 2001. A user named Kian on X first identified the feature on the Apple Music web domain.

The tribute appears when visitors enter a non-existent address on music.apple.com. Instead of a standard error message, the browser displays the classic player interface. The virtual device responds to clicks on its buttons, allowing users to navigate through a set of pre-installed songs. Users can also click and drag the scroll wheel to move through the library, mimicking the physical action of turning the original hardware.

The digital iPod contains tracks from artists who were popular in 2001. Selecting a song plays a 90-second preview directly within the web interface. No separate application is required to hear the audio. The page serves as a nostalgic nod to the discontinued product, which Apple has not manufactured for years.

The feature is a web-based easter egg rather than a product announcement. Apple has not indicated plans to release a new dedicated music player for the anniversary. Apple Music remains available for streaming at a cost of $11.99 per month. The service is also included in the Apple One bundle.