How To Use the Screen Lock

by Collin Hilder  |  July 2, 2008

The latest generations of iPods, such as iPod nano + iPod nano 2nd generation and 5th generation iPod, the ones with video, have a function called screen lock, which works very much the same as a PIN code on a mobile phone. It's a 4 digit combination used to lock the iPod while it is not attached to a computer. This function enables the iPod owner to keep away unwanted guest sniffing around in their iPod. If the iPod is locked, the combination must be entered in order to unlock the screen. The screen lock is very much different from the hold switch, which merely prevents the iPod from turning on accidentally.

Screen Lock Security

Screen locking is not really a complete securing method. It just locks an user from accesing the screen interface. The data on the iPod disc will not be encrypted, meaning you can have screen locked your iPod and have it connected to the computer and still be able to access music on your iPod with iTunes and access all other data you may have stored in the iPod disk, like contacts, notes, files.

You can go to the Screen Lock menu from the Extras Menu, like in Extras > Screen Lock.

How to set the combination

You need a combination before you start using Screen Lock. You can do this by the following:

1. Screen Lock menu > Set Combination.
2. The Set Code screen will appear and you can start to enter the 4 digit combination by using the Click Wheel and scrolling it to dial up the numbers. You can also press the Previous or Rewind or Next and Fast-forward buttons to go faster through the numbers. Just press the Center button each time you get to the desired number, and the next number to be introduced will be highlighted.
3. After the last digit is entered, the 4th, you will be automatically returned to the Screen Lock menu.

You should know that the iPod will continue to use the same combination until it will be changed. When you wish to change the combination you will have to introduce the old combination before setting a new one.

How to lock the iPod

Memorize your combination, and you can safely lock your iPod like this:

1. Follow the path Extras > Screen Lock > Turn Screen Lock On. When getting there, if you haven't previously entered a combination, the Set Code screen will automatically appear in order for you to set a combination.
2. A "Please remember it!" message will appear in the Screen Lock menu, choose Lock to lock the iPod.
3. The iPod will display an Enter Code screen , once it has been locked. A key icon will also appear in the upper right corner, telling you the iPod is screen locked.

How to unlock the iPod

The iPod can be unlocked in either of the following ways:

1. Just enter the same combination you used to set up the last time. If somehow you fail to enter the correct order of digits, the digits onscreen will flash red. After you enter the correct ones, the iPod will unlock and return to the last viewed screen.
2. Connect the iPod with the original computer it has been used with, that is the first one the iPod was synced with, and open the iTunes program. After you disconnect the iPod from that computer, it will no longer be locked.

If you forgot your security code or you can't sync the iPod with it's first computer for some reason, then you don't have much to do than to restore the iPod to the factory settings. This will erase all data on the iPod. After this, you may still add music and data again on the iPod.

If you no longer have the primary computer available and want to change it with another computer, before setting a combination, you may do the following:

1. Restore the iPod to the factory settings. This will erase everything on the iPod and it can't be undone. You should first back up any data you wish to save from the iPod.
2. Connect the iPod to the computer that wish to be recognized as the primary one.
3. Just open iTunes and sync.

How the iPod is acting when locked

For example, if you left the iPod playing music when you screen locked it, it will still continue to play until it is unlocked or goes to sleep. Meanwhile you can not control the volume or change tracks because such controls are the ones with which the security code must be entered. You can just pause or resume playback using the Play/Pause button. When the iPod is screen locked, the Enter Code scree will keep displaying until one of the following happens:

• The correct combination is entered. Once you do this, the previous state will appear.
• The iPod is forced to go to sleep. You can do this by pressing and holding down the Play/Pause button. When you wake it the Enter Code screen will appear again.
• The iPod goes to sleep by itself. This happens after two minutes of inactivity. After you wake it, the Enter Code screen will appear.
• The iPod is connected to a computer. If the iPod is connected to any high-power USB port, it will display a "Do not disconnect" message and will behave identically as an unlocked iPod. You will be able to access and organize any data on the iPod drive if it is in disk mode, and manage music and other files in iTunes.

It is important for you to know that no Apple representative can unlock an iPod if the owner has forget it's combination. If you can't unlock the iPod and you don't can not access the primary computer, the only option you are left with is to restore the iPod to it's factory settings, which will erase all the data on the iPod drive.

How to add the Screen Lock to the Main Menu

If the Screen Locking is used frequently, it can be added to the Main Menu for easy access. Just go through Settings > Main Menu > Screen Lock and change the status to ON. After this, Screen Lock should appear in the Main Menu.

For information on "How To" lock and unlock the iPhone check out the article: "How To Lock and Unlock the iPhone", written by Cory Fisher.

Related articles:

How To Play Music & Video on Your iPod
How To Import CDs to iTunes and iPod
How To Replace An iPod Battery
How To: Customize the iPod menu on iPhone
How To: Save storage space on iPhone using Smart Playlists
How To Fully Benefit from iTunes Preferences
How To safely Backup your iPod and iPhone

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