Direct TV / ATT care code 205.4

I was having the same issue, same error code when trying to use the TLC GO app. I reset my AT&T/DirecTV password, then I deleted the TLC app, then reinstalled it. When it asks to use your Directv subscription say no. It then takes you to the selection screen where you can select your provider. I selected DirecTV, it will ask you to put in your email and password as if you are a new subscriber. Enter the same info you just used for your AT&T/DirecTV account. Sign in and there ya go. I followed the same steps on both my iPhone and my iPad. My husband had the same issue with the ESPN app. He followed the same steps and it worked for him too.

FYI...it’s now Cinco de Mayo and I’ve had this issue going on not only with my AppleTV but the same CC code when trying to login to my DirecTV APP on my iPhone. I also can’t login to DirecTV itself I have to go thru AT&T. They aren’t doing anything to fix this issue.

This worked for me although I skipped the reset password. None of my subscription apps through Directv worked on my ipad. After following these instructions, I was able to login on the 1st app. Then all the other apps allowed me to login immediately. Thanks.

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

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.

Same issue with ATT here. Have 4 AppleTV boxes, 2 gen 4 and 2 gen 3. They all worked until recently (a month ago). I got kicked out of a network station and had to re-sign in on DIRECTV as my provider. Got a message saying the ID was not in the system, care code 201. Went to ATT website and reset both my login and password (probably a bad idea). Works fine on the ATT website, but nothing was working on any of my Apple devices, including iPhone. If I try to log in with my ATT access email as user ID, I get message that password does not match - care code 205.4. DIRECTV as provider has now been locked out on all my devices. Called over several days and many hours with ATT, get transferred to a busy signal, or told that it's an Apple problem. (sound familiar?). I'm pretty sure ATT has failed to sort out all its systems and the logins and passwords on the ATT sites are not synced to the logins and passwords stored somewhere in the DIRECTV system. The folks on the ATT support phone appear to have little knowledge of why this is hosed up - they appear to work off a script rather than knowledge. Wish us luck, we'll need it.

So I was signed in via Appletv for multiple AppleTVs and apps on multiple devices across my family. Last week this started happening to me with the Care Code 205.4 error message, too.

I called Directv and was traded up four levels of Tech Support over two hours until finally someone told me DTV was doing some system "enhancements" and the problem would be resolved in four hours. That was four days ago and still a mess.

I called DTV back and this person blamed Apple.

I called Apple and they sent me thru three levels of tech support before telling me they didn't know what was going on but that it wasn't just me. They're supposedly calling me back this week.

***FIXES:

Like others, I noticed, on the directTV app, if you cancel out after log in denial, and get a new log in screen, it will let you in on that one.

Also, the trick with picking OTHER as your provider and finding Directv from the second list, also works.

However for the amount of apps/devices I have signed in, it would be a nightmare to do that for every single one.

They must fix this. It's ridiculous.

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

I’m not sure who’s issue it is. I have a new Apple TV that worked fine before the update. I have an old AppleTV (gen 2) that still allows me sign into DirecTv and stream but the new, updated one gets error 205.4. I’ve called DirecTv and they said has to do with Apple update. It’s super annoying that everyone just passes the blame. We’ve tried changing passwords and everything. But again, all usernames and passwords work on a non updated Apple device. And it’s only an issue with Apple devices. Seems like AT&T/DirecTV and Apple, both can’t figure out their own technology. Super frustrating when you should be able to do something and you can’t. And all your tech is new!!!🤬

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.

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.

I thought the same but TV OS13.4 (the last update) auto installed on my system on March 24th and I signed in with Directv credentials many times after that with no problem until around May 4. So the update did not trigger the 205.4 care code.

The reps keep mentioning that Directv is working on "Enhancements" that may be causing this. This leads me to suspect it is an ATT/DirecTV issue. If it was an Apple issue with the last update it would have started just after March 24.

So guys, I’ve actually been talking to DirecTV.

it is definitely an issue with AT&T/DTV. Not Apple.

IMO it’s due to those aforementioned “Enhancements” many of us were told about.🙄

Also: they are AWARE of the widespread problem and have escalated it.

I would advise either waiting it out, using individual log in as work around for the shows/channels you want to watch.

OR

contact DTV via phone, email or twitter DM to let them know you, also, are having a problem.

the more ppl with the problem, the more people complain, the faster they will work to fix this.

I had the same problem. I found if you go into Setting - select TV provider, it’ll give a list of apps connected through DirectTv. Find the app that’s giving you trouble and deselect it. The, go back to Home Screen, and select the app again. Sign in as usual and it should work.

A lot of people have given their work around so I’ll add mine. Now this is after I tried other people’s ideas so not sure it will work. (Last one was selecting apps to work with my account such as HBOGO). Anyway all I did was after getting the message that it won’t work with my user ID, I went back to the previous screen until I got a code to sign online at hbogo.com. Entered the code and viola got message on tv telling me that I’m signed in. If you haven’t tried that today. Try it. Good luck