Apple unveils interactive iPod tribute on Music website for 25th anniversary
A hidden URL on Apple Music displays a functional replica of the 2001 music player, allowing users to scroll and play preview tracks.
By Sarah Montgomery ·
Apple has installed a hidden feature on its Apple Music website to mark the 25th anniversary of the original iPod. The digital tribute appeared on October 23, 2026, the same date the company first introduced the physical device in 2001. The feature takes the form of an easter egg accessible through specific web addresses.
The discovery was made by a user named Kian on the social media platform X. Kian identified that the error page for missing content on the Apple Music domain now displays a working replica of the original player. Instead of showing a standard error message, the browser renders the classic interface for users who enter the correct path.
Visitors can access the tribute by typing music.apple.com/ipod into their browser. The feature also activates if a user adds any other non-existent path to the music.apple.com address. This triggers the display of the virtual device on the screen. The design mirrors the physical hardware released two and a half decades ago.
The interface is fully interactive. Users can click the on-screen buttons to move through a set of pre-installed songs. The scroll wheel also functions within the web environment. Users can click and drag around the wheel to scroll through the track list. This interaction mimics the physical turning motion required on the original hardware.
The digital iPod contains tracks from artists who were popular in 2001. When a user selects a song, the interface plays a 90-second preview of the track. The audio plays directly within the web browser. Users do not need to download a separate application to hear the music. The selection list remains fixed to the artists chosen for the tribute.
Apple has not produced a dedicated music player for several years. The physical iPod line was discontinued, but the company continues to support the brand through its streaming service. The web version offers a way for fans to revisit the look and feel of the device. The feature serves as a lighthearted nod to the product's history rather than a new product announcement.
There is no public indication that Apple plans to release additional content or hardware for the anniversary beyond this web tribute. The company has not issued a formal statement detailing the scope of the celebration. The feature is currently the only known element of the 25th-anniversary commemoration on the web platform.
The tribute sits alongside the standard Apple Music subscription options. The streaming service costs $11.99 per month for individual users. It is also included in the Apple One bundle for subscribers who want multiple Apple services. The interactive page is accessible to anyone visiting the specific web addresses, regardless of whether they hold a subscription.
