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AppleTV - 2nd Generation Activation Failed?

I am setting up an old Apple TV MC572LL/A today and noticed in the About screen that there’s a status called Activation which is showing “Failed”. AirPlay still works on this AppleTV from my iPhone but what is the Activation status and how do I get rid of the failed status message?

Posted on Aug 10, 2019 2:03 PM

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Level 10

146,244 points

Aug 11, 2019 2:29 AM in response to Guido79

Can you sign in to the iTunes Store, e.g, to browse for movies in the Movies ‘app’?

Can you sign in for iCloud services?

It might be related to one of those, or both.

Note that two-factor authentication might complicate the sign in procedure on these older models, if you don’t realize how to. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250420575

If that doesn’t solve it, then try a reset/restore. Especially if it was used by a different user (Apple ID) previously, and hasn’t been reset since.

Reset or restore your Apple TV to its factory settings - Apple Support

or alternatively Restore your Apple TV through iTunes - Apple Support

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AppleTV - 2nd Generation Activation Failed?

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