Direct TV / ATT care code 205.4

I am using Apple TV model A1842 w/tvOS 13.4. I select Directv as the provider and use my tested and working Directv user account as well as my tested and working password. The response message on the Apple TV is:

SIGN IN ERROR That User ID doesn't seem to work here. Please sign in with a different ID. Care Code 205.4.


I have tried it many times and am certain it is not a typo issue. I am able to log into my Directv account on computers and ipad with my known credentials and am not having any issue - tested by watching an Showtime show.


I have reset the Apple TV to factory setting and restarted with no change whatsoever. Please help




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Apple TV 4K

Posted on Apr 28, 2020 12:09 PM

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Posted on May 15, 2020 7:16 AM

I found an answer on an AT&T forum. This worked for me. I am pasting below.


Hello!

 

Here’s an update on the issue and a solution that works (until AT&T fixed the underlying root-cause). After spending several weeks talking with DirecTV Now and AT&T U-verse TV technical support, there is an issue that occurs whenever you attempt to authenticate into the Apple TV or iOS TV Provider settings using an email address that is in the domain @att.net or @sbcglobal.net. The error: ‘you are not authorized to access this web-site’ occurs for ALL customers of DirecTV, DirecTV Now, and even AT&T U-verse TV whose AT&T User ID (formerly Access ID) is in AT&T owned domains such as @att.net or @sbcglobal.net. The issue seems to be that those domains are internal to the AT&T network and don’t have permissions to the TV Provider authentication page (somewhere within cprodmasx.att.com).

 

The solution is to change your AT&T User ID (formerly called the Access ID) to a domain other than AT&T, meaning external to AT&T (such as gmail or hotmail, or yahoo) or basically any e-mail address other than att.net or sbcglobal.net.  For example, I changed my AT&T User ID to my old yahoo address but you could also change it a gmail account or hotmail, etc.

 

Note: If you merged your AT&T accounts and services under one profile and have an AT&T Wireless number bundled with your other services, you can use your primary AT&T wireless number to authenticate AT&T as your TV Provider.

 

To change your AT&T User ID, follow these instructions:

 

  1. Login to att.com
  2. In the upper-right menu area, click your account name and select Profile from the drop-down menu.
  3. When the Profile page loads, click on the section that says ‘Sign-in info’.
  4. In the User ID section, click the link to Change your User ID.

 

By the way, even AT&T recommends you don’t use an AT&T email address for your User ID. They even post a suggestion at the top of the page that reads: “Want to change your ID? Keep in mind – It's best to enter an email address that isn't an AT&T email.” That suggestion seems more like a warning to me… and it should be heeded, as if you use an AT&T email address, it definitely causes this TV Provider authentication issue.

 

Note: This is safe to do. Changing your AT&T User ID does not change your billing e-mail address or your Member ID. If you have an AT&T email address such as @att.net or @sbcglobal.net, this will not affect those. Your ATT.NET Member ID will remain your @att.net email address.  And, you can still login to your att.com account to manage your bundled services, bill, etc. using either your User ID or your Member ID (or your phone number).  An easy way to think about this is that your AT&T User ID (formerly Access ID) is just an identifier for your profile that manages all your bundled AT&T services under one profile, but your Member ID is specific to your ATT.NET or SBCGLOBAL.NET email service. Apple has the same concept, they call it your Apple ID, and it is normally an external e-mail address like your gmail or hotmail account (although Apple recently allowed your Apple ID to be an iCloud.com email address, but I digress...).

 

Now that you’ve changed your AT&T User ID to something NOT at AT&T email address, let’s use your new User ID to authenticate into Apple TV or iOS’s TV Provider Single Sign-On.  Before we start, keep in mind, this error never occurred when trying to login directly to the DirectTV Now App.  The error only occurred when trying to authenticate AT&T as your TV Provider within iOS Settings on an iPad, iPhone, or Apple TV.

 


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70 replies

May 15, 2020 7:39 PM in response to smitmit

Same here and I have always had a gmail account associated with my ATT/Directv acct.


I also do not have the patience for the workarounds when it has worked flawlessly for 2 years and then all of a sudden BAM -205.4.


Was just on the phone for 2.5 hrs with directv tech "support" and she said several times that they are working on "enhancements" - they mostly refuse to call them "issues". I am convinced that it is an ATT/Directv problem as another tech rep admitted last week that it is a "known issue" and they are working on it.


Here is what I am going to do- I will find a friend that uses a provider other than ATT/Directv and ask them to try to sign in and watch a live stream that asks for TV provider credentials on my Apple TV. If it accepts the sign in, then it is verifiably a Directv issue- not an Apple issue or a third party app issue. All these streaming services want to know is that their services are being paid for by the person watching or someone who trusts the person watching enough to allow them to use their sign in credentials- fair enough. But Directv and ATT, technology behemoths that they are, cannot seem to figure this simple process out.


If a friend can sign in and watch live streaming tv that I could watch easily two weeks ago- then Directv AND AT&T will lose my business and I would encourage that others do the same instead of letting them laugh all the way to the bank while lying to the customers that are not getting what they pay for. I am weary of dealing with tech behemoths that swallow up smaller businesses and end up giving loyal customers less and less for more and more...


I told the rep tonight on the phone that if I, by process of elimination and deductive reasoning, find that the issue is a Directv issue, that they will lose me as a loyal customer. I will follow up here when I try the friend sign in test.


~ nolite te bastardes carborundorum

May 22, 2020 5:24 AM in response to smitmit

I wondered how long this has been going on! I have the same issue on my iPhone 11 Pro. I spent about three hours yesterday being passed from one person to another (10 in all), explaining the issue to each. Finally, I was transferred to “Digital Assistance”. There, I was told that Error 205.4 is a known database-handshake issue. Because of COVID-19, there is no ETA for a fix, but that someone would call in 3-5 business days. I am skeptical that I’ll get this call. I raised the issue of AT&T withdrawing support for DirecTV, and I was “assured” that they’re working to resolve the problem. I’ll believe it if/when I see it. In the meantime, streaming via all TV-related apps on my iPhone is impossible.

May 26, 2020 10:17 AM in response to smitmit

Hey Guys, so here is what I found works for this problem, you need to reset your password for your Direct TV account, then sign out on the apple tv on the tv provider section, then resign in, that should fix the problem.


I also found out that it has to do with the new login system. when you can get that old way of logging in where you click direct tv then it takes you to their sign on page, it will work with out the password change. but most of the app are using the old way.


hope this helps

Apr 30, 2020 2:11 PM in response to smitmit

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Now that I know it is a Directv issue I will do as many have said on this post and be persistent with them. I am currently using the workaround (set apps to "never") and log-in with the provided code. That is a complete nuisance and Apple has improved their product to eliminate the need for this with single sign-on. Directv is either being intentional for reasons unknown, or their competency needs to be questioned. Neither of these are reasonable for a technology company! Completely unacceptable and as a result many will make the decision to or not to remain a customer based on it.

May 17, 2020 6:56 AM in response to smitmit

That's what Directv tried to tell me as well but the last tvOS update was March 22 and I didn't start getting the 205.4 error until early in May so it was working fine with the update for 7-8 weeks. My family members were also getting the error code on mobile devices when it all started so something in the Directv interface changed and generated this "care code" or error. They admitted that they are aware of the issue and are working to resolve it in an early call but have mostly denied that it is their issue and tried to shift the blame. To admit that it is completely their fault might incur cost on their part so until it's resolved, I suspect that they will continue to be very cagey about this.

May 18, 2020 9:57 AM in response to smitmit

As with all, stopped working last week on old 4K AppleTV. Worked perfectly previously. Also won't accept DirecTV sign-in on brand new 4K AppleTV. Additionally, not working to sign-in to specific Apple apps needing DirecTV authorization. Of course, assumed it's AT&T/DirecTV.


However, "you will need to reach out to DirecTV’s support" not a satisfying answer. Spent 2 long conversations with DirecTV support, they are aware of "205.4" code but they claim it's Apple.


Further, ID/PW works to get on DirecTV site and works perfectly on my Android based smart tv apps. So I know it's not my DirecTV sign-in identity nor the identity's ability to sign in to non-Apple apps. Clearly it is an Apple/DirecTV interaction.


I really don't care whose "fault" it is, Apple or AT&T, I just want them to fix the problem. It is the responsibility of Apple to make sure their updates (on these quite expensive hardware devices) are compatible with one of the most used "providers". Get with AT&T/DirecTV and fix it, period.



May 6, 2020 7:04 AM in response to bdavi

Seems like an apple issue to me . I have signed in a multiple android devices but cant sign in on any of the apple devices in the house. I'm the only android phone in the house with 6 other iPhones and 5 iPads they all get the care code . I have never signed into directtv on my galaxy tabs but did with no issues. The apple devices have always used it but doesnt work now. I'm not too concerned since I'm really not a fan of apple anyway I only use the facetime and games

May 6, 2020 1:16 PM in response to dbn32

I have the same problem and have spent over 5 hours on the phone with Apple support and Direct TV support. Reset of Apple TV did not resolve the issue. I don’t have any problems signing in to the Direct TV Ap on my iPad and streaming content. Apple saying it is a Direct TV problem and Direct TV saying it is an Apple problem.....very frustrating.


What I find unusual is that every thing was working fine until the end of April. I installed the Apple TV in mid March, and had no problems signing up the Direct TV subscription. All working fine until the end of April.

Apr 29, 2020 10:10 AM in response to smitmit

SAME HERE!! I was setting a new Apple TV when I got that message. Then I went back to my other Apple TV that was logged into before and now I’m getting that message on that one now too.

I have spent NUMEROUS HOURS with DIRECTV. Zero help, no answers. Other than to say it’s Apples problem. Then said they looked at my account and saw no reason why it doesn’t work with Apple TV. I doubled checked that I am running all update to date software.

I have a case number with Apple. Sent them some screen shots. But no answers yet.



Apr 29, 2020 11:33 AM in response to vazandrew

I literally spend time on the phone with someone, they get no where, an hour later I hang up wait a few and call back and start over again. that’s been my day so far........ So yeah I’m being persistent.


it never hurts to look at a forum, see someone else having the same issue. And maybe someone get some advise on what to say to DIRECTV or whomever to get a fix.


So until then...... I will continue what I am doing.

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Direct TV / ATT care code 205.4

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