appleTV keeps asking for appleID, password and authentication code circularly

I just ran into this problem last night with my 2nd and 3rd generation AppleTV's. I wanted to finish watching a movie I had started on my laptop - truly frustrating. I just found the solution on this Apple page:

Two-factor authentication for Apple ID

Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to find the "What if I use two-factor authentication on a device running older software?" section to find the solution:

"If you use two-factor authentication with devices running older OS versions, you might be asked to add your six-digit verification code to the end of your password when signing in. Get your verification code from a trusted device running iOS 9 or OS X El Capitan, or have it sent to your trusted phone number. Then type your password followed by the six-digit verification code directly into the password field."

This worked successfully for my 3rd gen AppleTV; I'm hoping it works for my 2nd gen as well.

Hi !

I activated 2FA two weeks ago. Today my ATV 2 demanded the code for 2FA?? Finding this post solved the problem.

As said, log on to Your iCloud account, on the ATV 2/3, use Your ordinary password but append the 6 digit verification code on the tail.

You can request a verification code when ever You want from a trusted device Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication - Apple Support

After the succeful logon You will have another request for Apple ID Sign In, but just skip it.

/ Mats

That worked for me on ATV gen 3, thank you.

Note. That is far from intuitive and I have not been able to find that listed on any Apple website. It's also a terrible user interface, especially on a device with the least user friendly text entry selecting from the alphabet grid). I'd rather somebody just steal the ATV than have to type lengthy upper- and lower-case text strings.

We were having this problem too. I resolved it by resetting my apple tv to erase my account and reestablish. Thankfully, I didn't have to reset to factory settings. Once I did this, it asked me to sign in without also asking for the annoying authentication code and now it's working.

Thank you.

Finally instructions I could understand that actually worked.

My issue, is never once was there a clue you were to add this code onto the 'end' of your password. Once I read your comment I recalled my MacBook saying to do this once. On my ATV another box popped up to enter the code. I was going around in an endless loop.

It seems a common problem and with this type of device and I for one cannot understand it. Its supposed to be a TV not mobile device one of the least mobile devices in the Apple Range!

I have heard about these self-generated passwords and I have tried it several times but always get it rejected!

I reset the whole TV and removed streaming from security. Now I only get asked once or twice. Never like before when my elderly Mum could happily watch my TV and selection of comedy(!) all evening, poor Mum she really cannot handle Password requests and two factor authentication well yes Apple this is really a great shame some customers really cannot handle this. She was a fan not having to stand up and insert DVD's like before, but not any more !

Responding to this hoping it helps at least one person. What a nightmare, Apple!!!! For no reason the AppleTV I've used for years stopped accepting my login info. Literally two months of frustration with this BS. Finally I saw someone mention the issue could be a 30 second time limit on the verification code that gets sent to you that you need to add after your password. I went to iCloud and turned off the 6 digit verification code and chose security questions instead. When I went back to the AppleTV I was in on the first try. If the root of the problem was a 30 second time limit on entering the verification code then shame on Apple for being so STUPID!!

This is a nightmare! First I can't use itunes store on my apple tv because of the crazymaking password-verification code-username loop (kill me now!). Then I can't watch my itunes off my iphone onto my apple tv with airplay without being prompted for my password incessantly. It doesn't matter how many times I enter it (or how fast!), it won't just let me watch my show! Help!

I'm not sure what your problem is, if it involves AirPlay. This thread is about problems logging in to iTunes or iCloud on older Apple TVs. Please give some more details on your specific issue.

What version Apple TV do you have?

What are your trying to do?

What steps are you taking?

What happens when you try?

Exact text of any messages?

Yes I have tried this all ready and when I got the verification and entered it it started over the whole thing and it told me I had to enter my Apple ID and password all over again but it kept doing this over and over again. I just don’t know what to do about this

I am sick to almost death after trying for months, periodically, to log into my Apple TV to watch movies I purchased. I recently had shoulder surgery and was in so much pain, I gave up trying to login. Was on the phone with Apple support for hours repeatedly entering ID, password, authentication code, restarting etc. Gave up. Tried again last night — no dice after repeating the whole login process, kept getting a message so entered it incorrectly. Right. Guess this is how we are forced to buy a new version Apple TV. Really not happy. 😡. Will never buy an online movie again. Get movies free from the library now!!! Switching to a different device.

Thanks mate, this solved it for me. Amazing that Apple was not a source of the solution, and apparently don't care enough to solve this issue. have they forgotten who they once were, what they stood for?

Like most companies, Apple’s 2 step authentication doesn’t work well. I cancelled my HBO subscription through iTunes because I couldn’t log into the app on either of my 2nd gen Apple TV’s. I was stuck in the verification code loop with no way out. Ironically, I had to supply a verification code to write this review from my phone after logging in. Entering in the code after your PW is a terrible user experience. Apple used to be better than this.

What has happened to Apple....

This did not quite work for me. It locked up when I went through this process, and I had to unplug my Apple TV and when it rebooted I found myself logged in.

Apple used to release an upgrade, and it would work. They would release a new OS X, you'd pay for it, but it would work. No .1. .2, .3 versions happening days later. It's like they've lost total quality control

WHAT A COMPLETE CF THIS IS

Seriously apple. Get it together. I have been asked for verification codes from three different devices in the last 2 hours. My ATV prompts my MBA which prompts my X which prompts my ATV which - you guessed it - prompts my MBA for passwords then verf codes. Unreal