HT202157: About Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) software updates

Learn about About Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) software updates
ewach2

Q: Why won't my software update?

I have tried repeatedly to update software, but every time at the end of long (up to 2 hr) process it says "Update Unsuccessful"

Apple TV

Posted on Feb 22, 2014 8:06 AM

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Q: Why won't my software update?

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  • by Brian Cook4,

    Brian Cook4 Brian Cook4 Feb 22, 2014 8:22 AM in response to ewach2
    Level 4 (1,964 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 8:22 AM in response to ewach2

    It should only take about 10 min. tops so best guess is that there is a connection issue from ATV to iCloud.

  • by ewach2,

    ewach2 ewach2 Feb 22, 2014 8:32 AM in response to Brian Cook4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 8:32 AM in response to Brian Cook4

    Everything in house (laptops, iPads, iPhones) are on same wifi and don't have connectivity issue. I'm typing this on laptop immediately in front of ATV. Also, what does iCloud have to do with downloading latest update?

  • by Brian Cook4,Helpful

    Brian Cook4 Brian Cook4 Feb 22, 2014 8:38 AM in response to ewach2
    Level 4 (1,964 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 8:38 AM in response to ewach2

    Lets trying reading my actual words.  I did not say you had a global connection issue with EVERYTHING.  I said there was a connection issue between your ATV and iCloud (Apples data center)

     

    iCloud is the generic term for Apples online services.  Mainly iTunes content and data sycning, but it is also where software updates are downloaded from.

     

     

    don't have connectivity issue.

    It took you 1200% longer than it should to download the update.  So clearly you do.

  • by ewach2,

    ewach2 ewach2 Feb 22, 2014 8:45 AM in response to Brian Cook4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 8:45 AM in response to Brian Cook4

    OK, thanks I understand. Is connectivity hardware/software issue and/or is there a way to update without using wifi? Every time I turn it on I get message saying needs update, then when I try and update it goes to completion before giving error message that unsuccessful. Initially it didn't take as long to get to error message only ~10 min as you said, but this time it was 2 hrs. As such I have never had software update.

  • by Brian Cook4,

    Brian Cook4 Brian Cook4 Feb 22, 2014 8:49 AM in response to ewach2
    Level 4 (1,964 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 8:49 AM in response to ewach2

    You can use a wired connection.  Or you can plug ATV into a computer with iTunes via a USB cable and update that way.  Be aware that doing that will completly restore the ATV so all the current settings will be lost and you will have to set it up from scratch.

  • by ewach2,

    ewach2 ewach2 Feb 22, 2014 9:06 AM in response to Brian Cook4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 9:06 AM in response to Brian Cook4

    Thanks, but it doesn't have USB port otherwise happty to restore. Ethernet would avoid wifi, but probably still have same connectivity issue since ATV does communicate with iCloud through wifi (I can watch movies, listen to iRadio, etc), it just doesn't complete the update.

  • by vazandrew,

    vazandrew vazandrew Feb 22, 2014 10:26 AM in response to ewach2
    Level 6 (19,160 points)
    Apple TV
    Feb 22, 2014 10:26 AM in response to ewach2

    It has a micro usb port (below the HDMI port).

     

    images.jpeg

     

    Follow these steps to restore

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4367?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US