back to my mac iCloud server not responding

It appears that 10.9 Mavericks has broke Back to My Mac for me.

Previously I could remote both directions from my work iMac and my home iMac. It appears as though my set-up is still correct on both machines, however it no longer works.

Frustrating.

Back to my mac is also broken for me. It worked fine prior to the upgrade to Mavericks. I also tried disabling Back to my Mac, removing any Back to my Mac keychain items from my system, restarting, and enabling it again. Still nothing.

In 10.8, this is what I had to do to get BTMM working:

1) Re-serialize my Mac Pro using Apple's special super-secret bootable CD

2) Delete any port forwarding or UPnP settings in my router

3) Toggle BTMM in System Preferences and then allow it to re-set the UPnP settings in my router

If at any point BTMM stopped working, which happened occasionally, I would have to log into my router and delete the UPnP settings again.

However, now with Mavericks, the above steps give me the dreaded "iCloud server not responding" error, despite the UPnP settings being seemingly correct.

I am tempted to replace my router with an Apple one to see if this solves the problem, but if anyone has anything to add...

Exact same thing here. None of the troubleshooting steps mentioned have helped.

Oddly, my work machine, also upgraded to Mavericks does work. My home machine does not though.

Same problem here. Late 2012 iMac, definitely has a serial number. BTMM stopped working as soon as I installed Mavericks. Tried all the same troubleshooting as Buddha86, but no luck. I toggle BTMM on, and after about 10 seconds I get the error message that the iCloud server is not responding.

Ditto.

My work iMac is from late 2012 and my home iMac is from Late 2009. Both have serial numbers and both worked fine with BTMM prior to upgrading to Mavericks. I am using an Airport Extreme at home. I don't recall what router we are using at work, but it worked fine before.

No new router setting changes have been made. All iMac system settings appear to be fine, BTMM "should" be working as per usual as far as I can tell.

Workarounds posted here have not worked for me. 😟

Back to My Mac is working again - from both computers!

Oddly, all I did was deactivate the BTTM option under iCloud Preference Pane in System Preferences and then reactivated it. Then, voilà! It worked! When I got to work today, I initially tried to get back to my home Mac and it still didn't work. Then I did the same thing - deactivate and reactivate Back to My Mac - and now it works again on my work Mac. I realize this solution seems rediculously simple, but it worked:-)

I am having this problem too. I just upgraded to 10.9, and on my iMac and MacBook Pro, Back to My Mac starts up fine. However, it doesn't start up on my Mac Mini. They are all connected to my local network using an AirPort Extreme Base Station (with Back to My Mac set up with my iCloud account and password and green dot present). The iMac and Mac Mini are connected via Ethernet and the MacBook Pro via WiFi.

On my Mac Mini I've tried all the usual stuff. Turning off, waiting a minute, and turning back on. BTMM still says "iCloud server not responding." I've also deleted all the Back to My Mac keys in my System keychain using Keychain Access and trying again, but that didn't help either.

Here's what's showing up in my Mac Mini's System Log. First when I turn off Back to My Mac in the iCloud Preference Pane:

Oct 25 12:28:31 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: INFO: FMM: isLocationServicesCapable: YES

Oct 25 12:28:31 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: INFO: FMM: areLocationServicesEnabled: YES

Oct 25 12:28:31 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: INFO: FMM: isLocationServicesCapable: YES

Oct 25 12:28:31 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: INFO: FMM: areLocationServicesEnabled: YES

Oct 25 12:28:32 Mac-Mini kernel[0]: flow_divert_kctl_disconnect (0): disconnecting group 1

Oct 25 12:28:32 Mac-Mini.local configd[23]: network changed: v4(en0:10.0.1.204, en1) v6(en0:2002:62c5:c1f::3615:9eff:fe18:df54, en1) DNS* Proxy SMB

Oct 25 12:28:32 Mac-Mini.local awacsd[713]: InnerStore GetWakeInfoForZone: no info for 123072138.members.btmm.icloud.com.

Oct 25 12:28:32 Mac-Mini kernel[0]: flow_divert_kctl_disconnect (0): disconnecting group 1

Oct 25 12:28:32 Mac-Mini.local mDNSResponder[45]: Removing registration domain 123072138.members.btmm.icloud.com.

Oct 25 12:28:47 Mac-Mini.local awacsd[713]: Exiting

Oct 25 12:29:09 Mac-Mini kernel[0]: process 729 set trusted

Next here's what's happening when I click Back to My Mac a minute later to turn it back on:

Oct 25 12:30:07 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: nsc_smb XPC: handle_event error : < Connection invalid >

Oct 25 12:30:07 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: INFO: FMM: isLocationServicesCapable: YES

Oct 25 12:30:07 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: INFO: FMM: areLocationServicesEnabled: YES

Oct 25 12:30:07 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: INFO: FMM: isLocationServicesCapable: YES

Oct 25 12:30:07 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: INFO: FMM: areLocationServicesEnabled: YES

Oct 25 12:30:08 Mac-Mini kernel[0]: flow_divert_kctl_disconnect (0): disconnecting group 1

Oct 25 12:30:08 --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Oct 25 12:30:08 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: nsc_smb XPC: handle_event error : < Connection invalid >

Oct 25 12:30:08 Mac-Mini.local configd[23]: network changed: v4(en0:10.0.1.204, en1) v6(en0:2002:62c5:c1f::3615:9eff:fe18:df54, en1) DNS* Proxy SMB

Oct 25 12:30:08 Mac-Mini.local mDNSResponder[45]: Adding registration domain 123072138.members.btmm.icloud.com.

Oct 25 12:30:08 Mac-Mini.local awacsd[737]: Starting awacsd connectivity_executables-97 (Aug 24 2013 23:49:23)

Oct 25 12:30:08 Mac-Mini.local awacsd[737]: Configuring lazy AWACS client: 123072138.p03.members.btmm.icloud.com.

Oct 25 12:30:09 Mac-Mini.local awacsd[737]: Failed to create UTunnel object!

Oct 25 12:30:09 Mac-Mini kernel[0]: flow_divert_kctl_disconnect (0): disconnecting group 1

Oct 25 12:30:09 Mac-Mini kernel[0]: revoking trust for process 729

Oct 25 12:30:09 Mac-Mini.local awacsd[737]: Failed to create UTunnel object!

Oct 25 12:30:09 Mac-Mini kernel[0]: flow_divert_kctl_disconnect (0): disconnecting group 1

Oct 25 12:30:10 Mac-Mini.local com.apple.preferences.icloud.remoteservice[450]: nsc_smb XPC: handle_event error : < Connection invalid >

Oct 25 12:30:52 --- last message repeated 1 time ---

I don't know the meaning of the first and last line which are the same and looks to be significant, or why Back to My Mac turns on on my other two Macs but not this one. I don't know if there could be a firewall problem, but I've got the same firewall settings turned on in all three Macs: the firewall is on and the "Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections" option is checked. Could there be iPv4 or iPv6 issues here? (I can get to ipv6.google.com just fine in Safari, so iPv6 in my AEBS seems to be working OK.) Any help or further information would be greatly appreciated. I'm stumped and frustrated right now.

Bump. Any help out there, Apple Geniuses?

On a side note, remember the days when Apple would actually test their updates and have them working without a hitch before releasing them? Yeah...the good ole days...

This can be a challenging problem to diagnose. It appears that Mavericks has changed something about BTMM resulting in it being less reliable than it was with Mountain Lion. It works, but not always, and I have yet to correlate its cause to anything specific.

Here are some possible hints.

Make sure you are using a compatible router. BTMM requires a router that supports NAT Port Mapping Protocol (NAT-PMP) or Universal Plug and Play (UPnP). Most routers will work without any trouble at all, but an Apple AirPort will eliminate any uncertainty.

Review all the steps in OS X: Using and troubleshooting Back to My Mac with your iCloud account

The most useful suggestion may be the simplest:

Toggle Back To My Mac off and back on by deselecting and then reselecting Back To My Mac in iCloud System Preferences.

Sometimes that's all it takes.

You can also try some simple steps with Terminal to verify that your BTMM settings are correct:

dns-sd -B _rfb | grep icloud

That will show the Macs using your iCloud ID advertising screen sharing services. If you get no response, ensure the Sharing services on the Macs you wish to use remotely are configured correctly. Perhaps Mavericks simply reverted their settings during installation, as a "security" 😠 measure.

dns-sd -B _afpovertcp will show Macs advertising file sharing services.

To ping your Mac use:

ping6 <macname>.<nnnnnnn>.members.btmm.icloud.com

where <macname> is the name of your Mac and <nnnnnnn> is your Back to My Mac account number. See below. You should get a response from ping6; if there is none then screen or file sharing will not work. If the response times are excessively long then the connection may time out and fail.

The name of your Mac is in System Preferences > Sharing > Computer Name:

Your Back to My Mac account number can be determined with the following

dns-sd -E

It will respond with something like this

Timestamp Recommended Registration domain

0:43:20.322 Added (More) local

0:43:20.322 Added (More) icloud.com

- > btmm

- - > members

- - - > 0123123

0:43:20.322 Added icloud.com

- > btmm

- - > members

- - - > 987654321

The numbers at the end (0123123 etc) are your BTMM account numbers. Most users will have only one.

^C to terminate each of the above.

Good luck.

Wow, thanks enormously for all that information! It is much appreciated.

Hi John,

Thanks for the detailed info. I have tried almost everything you described. Ecxept some of the command lines on Terminal window, that either i did not understan the syntax or i am really in trouble, mainly because nothing happened.

I have everything Apple: at home my setup is a 5th Gen Airport Time Capsule 802.11ac (brand new), an iMac 27 inch (mid 2011) running OS 10.9 (13A603) and a MacBook Air (mid 2013) running also OS 10.9 (13A603). At the office i have a 4th Gen Airport Time Capsule and an iMac 24inch (mid 2008) running also OS 10.9 (13A603). The weird thing is: i cannot share files with the 24 inch, it simply won't connect remotely, BUT it does let me share screen. I have already reviewed all the sharing settings, the set up on both time locations, and everything is the same!! Locally of course, it works fine. The only thing i have not tried yet was reinstalling Mavericks specially it takes time to download and install the system.

As for the first line of command, it does show all three computers connected to my iCloud id for sharing services.

All the other tests seem to be fine, except for ping 6 which brings out a syntax error. See below.

Last login: Tue Nov 5 07:22:07 on ttys000

iMac-27-inch-de-Tomaz-Tacla:~ tomaztacla$ dns-sd -B _rfb | grep icloud

7:23:46.100 Add 3 0 269143466.members.btmm.icloud.com. _rfb._tcp. iMac-27-inch-de-Tomaz-Tacla

7:23:46.100 Add 3 0 269143466.members.btmm.icloud.com. _rfb._tcp. iMac 24 inch de Tomaz Tacla

7:23:46.100 Add 3 0 269143466.members.btmm.icloud.com. _rfb._tcp. Tomaz MacBook Air

dns-sd -B _afpovertcp

dns-sd -E

ping 6 <iMac 24 inch de Tomaz Tacla>.<269143466>.members.btmm.icloud.com

ping 6 <iMac-24-inch-de-Tomaz-Tacla>.<269143466>.members.btmm.icloud.com

^C

iMac-27-inch-de-Tomaz-Tacla:~ tomaztacla$ ping 6 <iMac 24 inch de Tomaz Tacla>.<269143466>.members.btmm.icloud.com

-bash: syntax error near unexpected token `269143466'

iMac-27-inch-de-Tomaz-Tacla:~ tomaztacla$ ping 6 <iMac-24-inch-de-Tomaz-Tacla>.<269143466>.members.btmm.icloud.com

-bash: syntax error near unexpected token `269143466'

iMac-27-inch-de-Tomaz-Tacla:~ tomaztacla$ dns-sd -E

Looking for recommended registration domains:

DATE: ---Tue 05 Nov 2013---

7:33:54.341 ...STARTING...

Timestamp Recommended Registration domain

7:33:54.342 Added (More) local

7:33:54.342 Added icloud.com

- > btmm

- - > members

- - - > 269143466

^C

iMac-27-inch-de-Tomaz-Tacla:~ tomaztacla$ dns-sd -B _afpovertcp

Browsing for _afpovertcp._tcp

DATE: ---Tue 05 Nov 2013---

7:34:43.730 ...STARTING...

Timestamp A/R Flags if Domain Service Type Instance Name

7:34:43.730 Add 3 0 269143466.members.btmm.icloud.com. _afpovertcp._tcp. Time Capsule

7:34:43.730 Add 3 0 269143466.members.btmm.icloud.com. _afpovertcp._tcp. Time Capsule Old

7:34:43.730 Add 3 0 269143466.members.btmm.icloud.com. _afpovertcp._tcp. iMac-27-inch-de-Tomaz-Tacla

7:34:43.730 Add 3 0 269143466.members.btmm.icloud.com. _afpovertcp._tcp. Tall Time Capsule

7:34:43.730 Add 3 0 269143466.members.btmm.icloud.com. _afpovertcp._tcp. iMac 24 inch de Tomaz Tacla

7:34:43.730 Add 3 0 269143466.members.btmm.icloud.com. _afpovertcp._tcp. Tomaz MacBook Air

7:34:43.730 Add 3 4 local. _afpovertcp._tcp. Tall Time Capsule

7:34:43.730 Add 3 4 local. _afpovertcp._tcp. iMac-27-inch-de-Tomaz-Tacla

7:34:43.730 Add 2 4 local. _afpovertcp._tcp. Tomaz MacBook Air

Any others suggestions?

Thank you so much.

Tomaz