iHine52

Q: Problem with two-factor authentication with Apple TV.

I attempted to sign-in to my Apple TV (2nd generation, OS and updates are up-to-date), the log-in failed and indicated I had to use the two-factor authentication which I recently setup on my trusted Apple devices that included my iMac, iPhone and iPad. As expected, I received a noticed on my trusted Apple devices with the six-digit verification code indicating to add this six-digit verification code to the end of my password when signing into the Apple TV. I put in my password, and added the six-digit verification code to the end on my password. It did not work. Now I can't sign in. Any suggestions for signing into the 2nd generation Apple TV using the two-factor authentication? Is this Apple TV device not supported?

Apple TV model is MC572LL/A with Apple TV software version 6.2.1

Model identifier is AppleTV2,1

Model number is A1378

AppleTV 2, Other OS, Apple TV software 6.2.1

Posted on Jul 4, 2016 9:21 PM

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Q: Problem with two-factor authentication with Apple TV.

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  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Jul 5, 2016 1:24 AM in response to iHine52
    Level 10 (103,346 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 5, 2016 1:24 AM in response to iHine52

    People have been encountering difficulties with this process. I haven't encountered such difficulties so haven't had the opportunity to test for solutions. Whilst a bit of a pain can I suggest that you temporarily disable two step authentication until you have set up your Apple TV.

  • by rockmyplimsoul,

    rockmyplimsoul rockmyplimsoul Aug 14, 2016 8:29 AM in response to iHine52
    Level 5 (7,121 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 14, 2016 8:29 AM in response to iHine52

    I realize this is an old thread, but ran into this and discovered that the solution is to re-enter the Apple ID password with the 6 digit 2FA code appended to it. You have to let the first attempt fail, since you don't yet have the 2FA code, then re-enter the password with the code appended to the password. This process has to be done for each password entry, i.e. iCloud and Home Sharing too.

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Aug 14, 2016 9:22 AM in response to rockmyplimsoul
    Level 4 (2,895 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 14, 2016 9:22 AM in response to rockmyplimsoul

    Hi. Good to hear that this works. Which ATV version do you have? See Identify your Apple TV model - Apple Support if not sure. The problem seems to be that each version is frozen with a different software version, and they appear to work differently.

  • by rockmyplimsoul,

    rockmyplimsoul rockmyplimsoul Aug 14, 2016 11:55 AM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 5 (7,121 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 14, 2016 11:55 AM in response to Diana.McCall

    Both my 2nd (MC572LL/A, also known as A1378) and 3rd gen (A1427) required this procedure. My 3rd gen "Rev A" (A1469) did not -- it gave me the pop-up prompt for the 2FA code right away. This must be another subtle difference with the "Rev A" 3rd gen and original 3rd gen.

     

    Another tip, for 2nd and (original) 3rd gen ATVs, if you sign into the Apple Store before enabling Home Sharing, the ATV will prompt you if you want to use the same ID for Home Sharing. If you allow it to use the same ID then you're not prompted for the password, so it just fails with no opportunity to enter the password + 6 digit code.  So instead, select "No, use different Apple ID" for Home Sharing, which then prompts for the ID (and default is suggested) and you can then enter the password, which will fail at first since you don't yet have the 2FA code. Once you get the code, repeat the process by again selecting "No, use different ID" and the select the default ID, then enter the password+6 digit 2FA code. Took me a bit to figure that one out!

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Aug 14, 2016 12:48 PM in response to rockmyplimsoul
    Level 4 (2,895 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 14, 2016 12:48 PM in response to rockmyplimsoul

    This is great information. Thank you so much for being a tester. And terrific that you could cover multiple versions. Maybe the earlier ATV 3 didn't get the software refresh in Feb. 2016, so it behaves different from the 3A.

    Cheers, Di.

  • by rockmyplimsoul,

    rockmyplimsoul rockmyplimsoul Aug 14, 2016 2:26 PM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 5 (7,121 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 14, 2016 2:26 PM in response to Diana.McCall

    Yeah they're all up to date, but haven't compared OS versions to see if the Rev A allows a newer version than the non-Rev A gen 3.  Supposedly there was a minor hardware difference, but I doubt that would have any bearing on this.

     

    All this came about because the Remote app refused to see some of my ATVs, so I turned off Home Sharing temporarily (has fixed that symptom in the past) but I couldn't re-start Home Sharing on some of my ATVs.  Glad to be back in business!