appleTV keeps asking for appleID, password and authentication code circularly

This did work! However, the problem was I was trying to enter the password and authentication code when actually trying to purchase on Apple TV which does not work. In order for it to work, it has to be entered in Settings / sign-in on the Apple TV.

I have the same problem, I’ve done the steps exactly over 10 times now. I’ve even reset my apple password to make sure I matched it. This is getting ridiculous I have 3 of these apple TVs that I can’t even use now.

It will work, you have to make sure Apple ID is correct on you iphone go to

1 settings

2 click on name

3 password and security, enter password

4 Get verification code KEEP THIS CODE

Go to apple tv

5 Submit Apple ID

6 Enter your password then enter the verification code with no spaces and submit. Example password Jupiter00 + verification code 123456 as such

Jupiter00123456

hit submit and it will work

Enjoy 😊

I know irritating especially as other apps get you to enter email and then it opens a different box to enter verification code that’s either sent to your email or txt msg to your phone. I’ve sent feedback from link given in this page and said for 2020 Apple have really dropped the ball on this! With covid and more time at home this is not something you want to mess about with. It stresses you out and then you take ages unwinding so don’t enjoy the show no or film so your escapism time is ruined by something that apple could easily rectify. Apple used to be pioneers now they are chasing their tale playing catch up.

Sorry William, but that is not the case. For the Apple TV Gen 1, which does not support 2fa, the process of inputting the password and verification code makes no difference. As per my own post, I have tried all combinations of imputing password plus code and ensuring that I do so within the time allowed, but to no avail. The ATV continually tells me that my ID or password has not been recognised.

Apple told me this was down to a hardware fault in the device. I don't believe this to be true. It behaves identically on either Wi-Fi or ethernet, so both network adaptors would need to be at fault for this to be true and in any event, the device passes its own diagnostics, as stated in my post.

I say again, this appears to be a direct casualty of Apple's now mandating that we have 2fa, whether we like it or not and with no provision for older devices not compatible with that. I think that is the fundamental issue here: the fact that ATV1 was designed without allowance for 2fa and is effectively incompatible with it.

Is there another way around this please (as per my two questions above)? Because the stated remedy of using your Apple ID password plus a verification code is simply not a solution - it doesn't work.

I'd really like to get my old ATV working on my Apple ID. Surely all it takes is some sort of OS update for it that can allow this? I know there can't be very few of these devices still working, but Apple has a duty of care to owners not to render them obsolete.

Thanks for any help anyone can give in moving this forward for me.

Thank you @ConsairVelo!! This was VERY HELPFUL! I tried at least a dozen times last night :-(! It is SO STUPID that Apple cannot give a message that the code needs to be entered within 30 secs! How stupid can these folks be when they claim to be a company that focuses on User Experience :-)!

People, Jeffrey Miller1's solution worked on a 3G AppleTV

So Apple does NOT support 2 Factor Authentication on Apple TV on any generation. I cannot get it to work on Gen 2 - what about Gen 4?

Thank you. This worked for me.

i have this problem. I've gone through the complete process 6 times. instead of once. You'd think they'd fix this problem.

This worked for me. Thanks!

I Got it to work using gundog600's method (see response in this thread)

yes after latest software update

Another screwup apple software release. Everyone I know with an older Apple TV is having the same problem rendering the tv uselesss. And of course. NOTHING from Apple. Pure arrogance

This solution didn't work for me. Verification was already turned off on my device so this didn't appear to be the reason why I found myself in an endless sign-in loop.