This seems to be the same issue that was listed earlier but the Solution did not work for me. When I enter my Apple ID and iCloud password, it sends me a verification code which I enter. After I enter it, it spins for a bit and tells me that iCloud is unavailable. Any help would be appreciated!
So here's the thing. The Apple TV 3rd generation is limited now, but still useful.
I felt I was struggling with this too, but then I remembered that I didn't use iCloud on this device anymore anyway.
How to get connected
In short: don't use iCloud to sign-in, just sign-in with iTunes and Home Sharing and you'll get most of the features you need.
There really isn't any reason to connect your Apple TV with iCloud anymore as there is no more Photo Stream, iMovie Theatre nor any of the other iCloud services that the Apple TV 3rd generation was able use as they have all now been discontinued.
iTunes Purchases (audio and video) & Apple TV+
I now can listen to my Apple iTunes purchased music on the Apple TV again and I can even watch from my Apple TV+ subscription shows. You can't access Apple Music, because that wasn't out when this device came out, but it will stream from any music you have in iTunes Match (iCloud Music Library) and not rely on your device. I was apple to enjoy watching Apple TV+'s Greyhound movie and any other show on with the service on this Apple TV.
Home Sharing
With Home Sharing on, you can go to your Mac and under Sharing (Media Sharing) you can enable the sharing of your computer's Music and Photos. From there you can stream any of your Media you have (Audio, Video and Photos for the Screensaver). Download the iTunes Remote app to your iPhone and then you can control any Media on your Apple TV independent of your Mac. (This is also how you get around the AirPlay limitation [see below].)
To access your computer's media libraries, just go to the Computers app from the Apple TV Home Screen.
Screensaver
Once connected with Home Sharing to your Mac, you can go to the screensaver settings and you should see your Mac listed at the bottom and you can select any of the Photo Albums that you share in you Media Sharing as your screensaver. (I haven't tested this, but it may load in a copy of the selected photo album so that your Mac doesn't always have to be connected.)
AirPlay
As for Mirroring video to get video to your Apple TV, you need to use an older iOS or Mac device that still uses AirPlay 1, AirPlay 2 devices are not supported on the Apple TV due licensing agreements to get AirPlay to work on non-Apple devices like Samsung TVs. But you can get around some of this by using the older device or accessing your Mac's media using Home Sharing.
Summary
So, don't totally fret, the Apple TV 3rd generation is not a complete brick. You just can't use iCloud anymore (but none of those services the Apple TV 3rd gen used are no longer active). But you can still use, via the iTunes sign-in, iTunes Purchase, Apple TV+; and use, via Home Sharing, all the media on your connected Mac devices that use Home Sharing with the same Apple ID.
The Apple TV 3rd Generation is a great Media streamer for my Home Sharing audio when coupled with a stereo receiver with the digital audio output that the newer Apple TVs don't have.
iTunes Remote
jajaaaa, Yeah!
2023/09/26
....I'm still waiting.
Come on Apple, you can do a better job with the customers!
Steve is looking you.
Mee too… Apple you must resolve this issue now or give an appropriate compensation to customers.
This worked - Many thanks
What exactly worked? Adding a 2FA code generated from a trusted device to the end of your password on an A1247 when logging into iCloud?
I am getting the same message. When I contacted Apple they were unable to resolve and ask me to take that to the apple care and it’s not free. It’s really annoying
Adam Hany
Apple purposely shut of the previous updates which were supporting the iCloud login for Apple TV 3rd gen.
Same here, I spent an hour on the phone with Apple support and they finally just told me that “maybe one day Apple will push out an update to fix it”.
Can’t login to iCloud on Apple TV 3rd generation
