YouTube- "This account cannot be used on AppleTV..." quick fix

So I was having trouble logging in to my YouTube account on my new AppleTV. I'm not anymore. It's way easier than some other discussion will lead you to believe. Here's what you do if you're typing in the right account and the right password but you keep getting a message like "This account cannot be used on AppleTV. Try again using another account."

*go ahead and get to the YouTube login section on the Apple TV so you are ready to go when you get done with the steps.

THE FIX:

1. Go to your YouTube homepage.

2. Top right where you see your username, open the drop-down and click "MY CHANNEL"

3. If you've already set up your channel, you're ahead of the game. If not- set it up! (takes mybe 5 clicks. easy. no obligations to post stuff.)

*I didn't bother to try and login on appletv after doing only this, but you're welcome to try- might work. might not. If it works- post it here and save everyone else some time!

4. Leave YouTube and go to your main Google.com homepage.

5. If you're not already, sign in.

6. At the top right corner, use the drop down by your username (like you did at YouTube's homepage)

7. Click "ACCOUNT"

8. Choose "SECURITY" from the left side menu.

9. "2-step Verification" will be listed second in the security section> click "SETTINGS" to the right of that section

10. Follow the simple walkthrough to turn this on. (theyll send you a text, you type that back in on the same page your're at, you add a device and get a code.)

11. Generate a code for device "appleTV."

12. Leave the code up on the screen! Walk over to AppleTV.

13. Type in your account name xxblahblah@gmail.com or whatever.

14. Type in the ridiculously long code as shown on the goodle page you have up on your computer. If your code has spaces- ignore them!

15. Enjoy.

If this doesn't work for you, I'm sorry. Worked for me and I was up and running in less than 5. Good luck!

Apple TV

Posted on Jan 28, 2013 8:16 PM

39 replies

jimpal

Level 2

232 points

Nov 19, 2013 6:25 PM in response to tweederhill

Yes! Now I have my YouTube account on my Apple TV's again! I messed with this problem off and on, using many of the above tips, for a couple of months without success. I had finally given up and stopped trying.

However, this evening I was finally able log in and re-establish my YouTube account on my Apple TV's.

Here's all that changed for me:

1. A few days ago, without even thinking about my Apple TV's, I re-established a Google+ account on the Google website, using my Gmail address and password.

2. Today, I installed the latest update (6.0.2) on both of my Apple TV's.

Just after doing #2., on a whim I decided to try to log in to YouTube again. This time it worked, and easily.

I now have a YouTube account on my Apple TV's as I had for a couple of years until this new issue started for me a few months ago. No other special actions, no two part security signins, just the above. Something has changed. Darned if I know what it was, but now all works as it did before.

RonLun

Level 1

0 points

Jan 12, 2014 5:41 PM in response to melaniegugel7

WOWWWEE!!!

Thanks Buddy...

I have had so much stress entering and re-entering... verifying... changing passwords...

AND ALONG CAME YOU!!

I had to cancel my 2SV in Google and re-do after that ... what can I say ??

Thankyou!

Jan 17, 2014 7:52 PM in response to melaniegugel7

Thank you, melaniegugel7. It worked for me too.

Aug 26, 2014 2:23 AM in response to melaniegugel7

It work. Thanks.

Sep 18, 2014 9:23 PM in response to melaniegugel7

wow, tnx a lot. I just created a channel and it worked 🙂

cmroddy

Level 1

0 points

Nov 23, 2014 4:46 PM in response to melaniegugel7

all these instructions seem to imply that i must have a google plus profile to sign into youtube on my apple TV. i will not create a google plus profile.

how can i sign in to my youtube account to watch videos from my subscriptions without creating a google plus profile?

if i am required to have a google plus profile to watch youtube subscriptions easily on the apple TV, then it is worthless to me and i will sell it on craigslist.

jimpal

Level 2

232 points

Nov 23, 2014 5:27 PM in response to cmroddy

Please yourself. Establishing a Google+ account is free and painless. I did it so long ago I don't even remember doing it. Yet, I have had YouTube on Apple TV seamlessly ever since. Absolutely no other effect on me. If this seems too hard for you, then don't do it.

cmroddy

Level 1

0 points

Nov 23, 2014 8:46 PM in response to jimpal

hi there. i will not listen to a sales pitch regarding google plus. as i stated, i will not create a google plus profile. a discussion of the objectionability of google plus is off topic for this thread, so please do not waste any further space here trying to persuade me to create one.

let's stay on topic. i would like to know how to log in without creating a google plus profile, because this is the only way i am willing to log in, and that will not change.

i have confirmed that the youtube app for IOS can sign in to my account just fine, so this is either a defect in the youtube implementation for apple TV, or a defect in google's login API.

Gerlondu

Level 1

0 points

Jan 17, 2015 8:47 AM in response to melaniegugel7

it works perfectly. I created my channel and it workef!!

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YouTube- "This account cannot be used on AppleTV..." quick fix