Rockbox Boot Logo Patcher

Check the Reddit thread for the latest on which devices are confirmed working, and please report your result there: Reddit thread →

Replaces the startup logo inside your Rockbox firmware with your own image. Everything runs in your browser; the firmware and image never leave your computer.

Rockbox version: works with current Rockbox, release builds and daily/dev builds alike. The tool detects the stock logo inside your file directly, so the version doesn't matter as long as the logo art hasn't been changed. If it can't find the stock logo, it refuses rather than risk a bad patch.

Works on all iPods Rockbox supports (Classic 6G/7G, Video 5G/5.5G, Color/Photo, Nano 1G and 2G, Mini 1G and 2G, 3G, 4G, and 1G/2G). Other players are detected but can't be patched yet; if yours isn't supported, the log will name it so you can let me know.

How to use

  1. Connect your iPod in disk mode and open the hidden .rockbox folder on it.
  2. Copy the firmware binary from there (named rockbox.ipod, or rockbox.xxx for your model) somewhere handy. Tip: keep the original as a backup.
  3. Below, choose that firmware file, then choose any image for your logo.
  4. Check the preview, click Patch firmware, and download the result.
  5. Copy the downloaded file back into .rockbox on the iPod (replacing the one there), eject, and reboot (hold Menu + Select).
Step 1 – Firmware file

The rockbox.* file from inside the .rockbox folder on your iPod. Use a fresh, unpatched copy (already-patched files are rejected so you never patch twice).

Step 2 – Logo image

Any image (PNG, JPG, ...). It is scaled to fill your model's boot logo size and centered over a black background. Simple, high-contrast art on a dark background looks best; fine detail is lost at this size.

Step 3 – Back up first

Before patching, keep a copy of your original rockbox.* file somewhere safe. If anything looks wrong, you just copy it back.

Is this safe?

Yes. This only changes logo pixels and the file's checksum; it can't touch the bootloader. If a patched file is ever rejected, the iPod simply keeps booting the old firmware, and you can copy a fresh rockbox.* file back in disk mode. Apple's iTunes restore also always remains available. Nothing here is uploaded anywhere; view source to confirm.

A terminalbytes.com tool. Born of the same rabbit hole as reverse engineering the iPod's headphone remote chip.