Apple TV not syncing purchases back to iTunes

My Apple TV is not syncing purchases back to iTunes. All music and TV shows I've purchased through Apple TV since the upgrade to ATV 2.0 is still not showing up in iTunes.

In iTunes, when I click on Apple TV in the left pane I see only the "Summary" and "Photos" tabs. On the main Summary window there is no button to "Sync" Apple TV. Neither are there any options for setting this up in iTunes Preferences, or in any of the on-screen settings in Apple TV itself. I can stream content just fine, I just don't see how to enable syncing back and forth. Am I missing something?

Many thanks for your input!
Tom

MBP2.4, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Feb 27, 2008 10:08 AM

17 replies

Tekjnke

Level 2

186 points

Jun 12, 2008 12:32 PM in response to tomas2012

I too am having the same problem with my Apple TV being unable to contact the iTunes store in order to authorize movies that I have purchased from my iMac -- so I can copy them to the Apple TV.

I reset, factory reset, unplugged, deauthorized, etc. Everything I know to do before calling support. Nothing worked.

I just got off the phone with Apple Support and was told that there is apparently maintenance going on with the iTunes database. I was asked to wait another hour (currently its 3:30PM EST) before trying again, and if the problem continues that I should call Apple Support back.

I let the nice support person know that there were many others here in the Discussion Forums that were having similar problems with their Apple TV contacting the iTunes store for authorization.

If my problem isn't fixed after this "wait" - then Apple will replace my Apple TV. I can only hope, for their sake, that is the fix.

I'll post more information on my journey through Apple Support for this issue.

Tekjnke

Level 2

186 points

Jun 12, 2008 3:33 PM in response to Tekjnke

So, I waited three hours before plugging my Apple TV back in and attempting to sync with my iMac so I could have my purchased movie content on my Apple TV.

Still nothing.

I began the call to Apple Support ... somehow I got a technician quickly.

I told the support person that I had already done the reset, factory reset, unplugged for three hours as well as deauthorized my computer several times.

The support person put me on hold to check with the iTunes store for any continued problems. The support person came back a few moments later and said all was good on the iTunes end.

I said, "OK. Let me try the deauthorize one more (magical six times) time." We waited for a few, then BOOM! It worked.

My suggestion to those still having this issue is to deauthorize your computer that you are attempting to sync with the Apple TV. Then, attempt to play a purchased song or movie on that computer which will force you to authorize the computer. Right after the authorization is completed your Apple TV should begin to sync, that is what mine did.

You may have to do this a couple of times, or six in my case, before it will finally work.

Cheers!

Message was edited by: Tekjnke

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Apple TV not syncing purchases back to iTunes