The sixth-generation iPod Touch supports iOS 9 through iOS 12. However, the EarPods that come with the sixth-generation iPod touch do not include a remote or microphone. Alternatively, headset controls can be used to pause, play, skip, and repeat tracks. Scrolling is achieved by swiping a finger across the screen. It can play music, movies, television shows, audiobooks, and podcasts and can sort its media library by songs, artists, albums, videos, playlists, genres, composers, podcasts, audiobooks, and compilations. The device originally shipped with iOS 8.4, which was released on June 30, 2015, along with the Apple Music streaming service.

The sixth-generation iPod Touch features iOS, Apple's mobile operating system.