Apple TV 3rd gen activation fail

as for me, I just installed iMazing, then connected my Apple TV to my Mac with usb cable and power on, and the application detected and activated automatically my Apple Tv3.

Airplay works now.

I activated my apple tv 3 with 3utools too.

Turn on apple tv and wait whare led is light (not flashed) then connect USB cable to apple tv and PC. Then 3uttols see apple tv and Batch activation button will be active.

Thanks Lilly-chan for solving!

Its solved! I would like to thank everyone who contrbuted to the solution! Thanks Albram for posting the step by step instructiions.

The important step is to ensure that the apple tv LED light STOPS blinking(atv is boot up) before you plug to the computer.

Hope this thread will help others who faced the same issue.

I had this happen to two Apple TV 3rd Generation devices. It seems to be triggered by doing a factory reset. Although, I think one lost its activation after an update.

I used a micro USB cable to connect it to my MacBook. Then, I ran Apple's Configurator 2. The Apple TV shows up under devices with an alert that it is not activated. If you press activate, it takes a few seconds and then it is activated. You can just unplug it. Now it should be usable, again.

i had the same issues. I had to reset Apple TV and i couldnt get Airplay working anymore. Modem Resetting, Apple TV resetting, restart - nothing worked. I chatted with an Apple support person and was able to connect to ITunes to reset Apple TV on my Mac. Still didnt work.

i read an insteresting message on the german community and it showed me the way to solve the problem.

After resetting on ITunes i had to download Apple Configurator 2 and follow the instruction on that forum contribution.

And it worked. I attach the forum message - please feel to get the thread and use google translation. It worked for me and airplay is running again on my iphone and ipad.

thread:

https://communities.apple.com/de/thread/253323316

I take it all back. For me, there wasn't any "activate" button, but as soon as I disconnect the Apple TV from the MacBook and connect it to the TV, the airplay was back and there weren't the fail message anymore. I strongly recommend the "apple configurator 2" trial!!! Thank you so much!

The apple tv gen3 works again after I installed Apple Confugirator2 on the Apple computer. I followed all the steps and it worked.

My first post seems to got lost ;_;

Edit: It got removed, so please look up the programs names in the thread:

I spend hours trying to activate my ATV3, with this solution here it finally works!!

https://communities.apple.com/de/thread/253323316

I used ***** on my windows laptop and connected the ATV via Micro-USB.

I had to install some drivers but then under "More" I clicked "Batch Activation".

With a Mac you can use ****.

I can now use Airplay =)

Hope it works for you!

Resolve is here!!!

Download to Mac app Apple Congigurator 2 from Mac AppStore.

Power on Apple TV 3 get and after it connect to your Mac with micro usb cable.

Attention to select cable. Many micro usb cable can only charge. You need cable that can transfer data too.

If you can't plug cable disconnect Hdmi.

In Apple Configurator select you device in centre of window by double click. After in left column select apps. In this part select activate on centre of window. That all!

Install apple configurator 2 from the App Store on your Mac

connect to Apple TV 3rd generation with a micro usb cable.

Choose Apple TV3

Choose Profile

Choose Activate

This works! I can finally Airplay. Thank you so much! Apple phone support there was no solution. But it looks like the update deactivates these 3rd generation Apple TVs. Hope apple stops bricking perfectly good Apple TVs especially after they just released an update for them.

Use/install apple configurator 2 on your IMac or MacBook.

connect to ATV micro usb.

Choose Apple TV3

Choose Profile

Choose Activate

Not a solution, but talked to an Apple rep just yesterday, she said they don't know what's causing the issue nor how to resolve the issue but are working on it. Most likely, it sprung out of the last Apple TV update on Nov. 2nd. All she said is Apple recommends Apple TV 3 users just check software updates for a new one frequently. Pretty disappointed as my Apple TV is just a brick at this point. So much for the Apple ecosystem..

I've had the same problem as everyone else.

Using a MBP running High Sierra I downloaded iMazing.

Following instructions many times, activation failed.

I then downloaded Apple Configurator 2 (v2. 2) from here:

That also failed.

In all previous attempts the Apple TV was connected to the MBP via USB + power plugged in.

Tonight I connected the Apple TV to the TV set - with HDMI & power cable attached as normal.

While Apple TV was connected to the TV set, I saw the usual "activation failed" on screen.

I then opened Apple Configurator 2 and tried to activate - that failed as usual.

However, leaving Apple Configurator running in the background, I opened iMazing.

I clicked "profile" and got an error message saying connection to Apple TV failed.

But at the same time, I suddenly noticed the usual "activation failed" suddenly vanished from the settings screen.

I disconnected USB from Apple TV, and now Airplay (using airparrot to mirror the MBP screen) is suddenly working perfectly.

I have no explanation.!!

[Link Edited by Moderator]

I can confirm this worked. Fairly straight forward. It gave me a "device has time out error" so I unplugged the USB from the ATV and plugged it back in. Selected more, then in the top list, selected batch activation. Selected the device then done. Very simple.

No need to mess around with your network or any other settings. This is a widely known issue that apple hasn't seem to care much about.

I experienced the same issue on my Apple TV 3 after restoring.

I just left the Apple TV on, and in the morning the "Not Activated" message disappeared and AirPlay appeared.