iCloud not Available | Apple TV 3 Gen | Authentication 2 factor Error

In speaking with an Apple rep this afternoon going through this same error, they were not able to provide any additional support then what has already been suggested by others (restart, restore, etc). Finally they said because it’s a “vintage” device, new software doesn’t always support all features. I doubt Apple will resolve this bug and will continue to push users to purchasing newer devices.

I’m also having the same issue. I don’t use the Apple TV anymore, but I decided to pull it out after Apple bricked both of my iPads that I used as home hubs forcing me to buy a HomePod. I was trying to make the best of an annoying situation, and try to find something that it was actually good for other than preventing me from having to throw out hundreds of dollars in smart home gadgets that were now useless. Lo and behold… if the Apple TV didn't work either. These aren’t devices that I use for their intended purposes, but I still use them as servers, home hubs, etc and for Apple to unilaterally decide to brick my equipment that I paid for is as wrong as it would be if I went and stole somebody’s and said they can probably afford a new one. 🤬 Sorry for venting, but I figured you guys could probably relate better than anybody else and I don’t even know you. 😂 I do know it’s all iCloud though. When they redid the HomeKit framework, they redid iCloud‘s framework as well. This isn’t a bug or even an oversight, they made a list of devices that they thought were too old and excluded them from being able to access iCloud, which is the very foundation of the everything Apple. In essence, they told us we’ve had these devices long enough. 😤

SOLUTION (kind of)! So after doing everything mentioned above far too many times, I exited and saw a different menu for iTunes Store, which also asked for appleID, Password & 2 Factor Auth. Here it worked. Then my AppleOne Subscription saw that I had AppleTV+ and I was able to access AppleTV+ Content without 'start free trial'. I assume this is the main point of others to watch content. The original issue of iCloud is still stuck in the vortex loop. Seems like Apple needs to fix this software bug. Apple TV Model A1427.

i just spent an hour dealing with the same issue and gave up. I would be a lot more patient if my 2016 15” MacBook Pro’s display hadn’t died yesterday due to unforgivable flexgate issue which Apple also refuses to fix. Very close to giving up on this brand and considering returning my week old Mac Studio.

I make the mistake of signing out of my iCloud account on my AppleTV (3rd Gen) and now unable to sign back is with the same exact error you & others describe.

I too have signed back in using my correct AppleID & password which then prompts me with the 6-digit verification code (MFA) which I also correctly enter only to receive the “unable to sign in” error.

Checking MyDevices in my iCloud account, although we are prompted to enter a verification code, there is text on the devices profile stating, “This device cannot be used to receive Apple ID verification codes.”

Catch-22. It asks & prompts for the verification code, yet it does not support it. This clearly is an oversight/bug and needs to be fixed by Apple.

It may be a two factor authorisation issue. The solution is to get a verification code from an iOS device.

On your iphone go to Settings next at the top where your name is select to go to icloud, select Password & Security scroll down to Get Verification Code and select. Note down the code that is sent.

Now log into icloud on the AppleTV but this time add the 6-digit code to the end of your password. So if the password is mypassword and the code is 123456 enter mypassword123456.

The only thing I can add is I think the code generated by the phone is only valid for about 30 seconds so you need to put your into the AppleTV generate the code on the phone and add it to end of the password with no spaces and login to beat the cut off. Beyond this I feel Apple have shifted the goal posts again.

Sorry missed out a word. The only thing I can add is I think the code generated by the phone is only valid for about 30 seconds so you need to put your password into the AppleTV generate the code on the phone and add it to end of the password with no spaces and login to beat the cut off. Beyond this I feel Apple have shifted the goal posts again.

Have the same problem after going back to an older version (because of HomeKit) and returning to the current one (7.9). Did a complete reset and tried every method described here and there. No success. I tried with LAN and other WLAN networks, no success.

Strange: I cannot attach to my standard WLAN, saying: Wrong password! And I cannot set/change the password!

There must be some memory areas, which are not reseted. Even after a full restore/factory reset.

I'm really fed up!

Agree. I have exactly the same problem after receiving my Brothers Apple TV box from him. It was signed in to his Apple ID, no problem there. I deleted his account and tried to sign in to my own, to no avail. Restored the unit and still have the same "error message".

Come on Apple guys, give us a solution to this software issue you have please!

I’m having the same problem and apple support was wonderful but couldn’t help. Oddly I can still watch Netflix and use apps. I can not watch apple+ TV because it doesn’t recognize me.

My solution is to use air play from my phone app to watch TV through the device. I still have an older phone to AirPlay from while using my current phone. I agree that it’s an old device as Hulu has also stopped supporting the device as well. I won’t buy another. I have two Roku devices and they are way easier to use.

I had the same problem but I followed the suggestion to login to iTunes first. iCloud still wouldn't log in but I didn't need to. When I launched Apple TV it just worked and I was able to resume a show right where I had left off on my iPhone. Thanks for the tip because I was just about to return this.

I have the same problem. Can’t fix it.