iPod shuffles are designed to work on both Macs and PCs without special formatting. They are actually formatted using the Windows FAT32 file system, but, since Macs can read disks formatted like this, there is no need to reformat it. If you’re having a problem getting it to show up on your Mac when it’s connected, you need to restore it to factory settings. Launch the iPod Software Updater – if you don’t have this, you can download it here – connect your iPod shuffle, then click the Restore button to erase the iPod and reset it. You’ll lose its contents (data and music), so make sure you have them backed up.
How do I format a used iPod shuffle for use on a Mac?
Jeremy Horwitz
Jeremy Horwitz was the Editor-in-Chief at iLounge. He has written over 5,000 articles and reviews for the website and is one of the most respected members of the Apple media. Horwitz has been following Apple since the release of the original iPod in 2001. He was one of the first reviewers to receive a pre-release unit of the device, and his review helped put iLounge on the map as a go-to source for Apple news.