tamshanter

Q: Why does my Apple TV not work in Dubai

I am in Dubai.  My Apple TV Generation 4 is connected to the internet but does not connect to Apple for upgrades etc.  Is it being blocked?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7), The VPN is My Private Network

Posted on Aug 26, 2016 10:02 AM

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Q: Why does my Apple TV not work in Dubai

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  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Aug 26, 2016 10:03 AM in response to tamshanter
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 26, 2016 10:03 AM in response to tamshanter

    What sort of network are you connected to and have you set the correct location and regional settings for where you are.

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Aug 26, 2016 10:55 AM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 4 (2,942 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 26, 2016 10:55 AM in response to Winston Churchill

    Winston, how does the region of the Apple ID figure in this? Does the OP need a Dubai Apple ID?

  • by tamshanter,

    tamshanter tamshanter Aug 27, 2016 1:51 AM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 27, 2016 1:51 AM in response to Winston Churchill

    It is the hotel network.  I can connect to their wifi (which is not great) and to the ethernet connection which seems to be adequately quick.  I have no problem streaming video through my MacBook using the Ethernet, and I can connect my Macbook to the Apple TV using Airplay.  The Apple TV tells me that it is connected through the Ethernet to the internet, but it will not connect to the iCloud and give me the message that it "cannot connect to Apple at this time, try later".

  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar Aug 27, 2016 3:09 AM in response to tamshanter
    Level 7 (28,376 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 27, 2016 3:09 AM in response to tamshanter

    many such semi public networks only really allowed communication on port 80 which is what browsers use

    likely they block the ports appletv require TCP and UDP ports used by Apple software products - Apple Support

    check this link and take contact to the hotel

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Aug 27, 2016 3:38 AM in response to Diana.McCall
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 27, 2016 3:38 AM in response to Diana.McCall

    Diana.McCall wrote:

     

    Winston, how does the region of the Apple ID figure in this? Does the OP need a Dubai Apple ID?

    Apple ID's aren't regional, but the services they are used with are, however using myself as an example.

     

    I have used my ID with the UK store to buy content, I cannot go to Dubai and download the content I have purchased from the Dubai Store (I don't actually think there is one for movies and TV shows but that's a secondary issue) because I didn't purchase them there. Similarly I also can't download them from the UK store because I'm not in the UK. (Some may find they can, but Apple reserve the right to block such downloads and increasingly appear willing to do so along with other providers)

     

    The OP does however have the right to stream purchased content stored on a laptop or iPad etc to the Apple TV, they just can't download it.

     

    Of course it depends what the OP means by doesn't work, they weren't overly descriptive with the initial post.

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Aug 27, 2016 3:42 AM in response to tamshanter
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 27, 2016 3:42 AM in response to tamshanter

    Many hotels and the like will block communication from one device to another on their network for obvious reasons, however it kind of seems your hotel might allow this.

     

    However if you are trying to use your Apple TV to download and watch content you bought in another location, you are not allowed to.

  • by tamshanter,

    tamshanter tamshanter Aug 27, 2016 11:58 PM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 27, 2016 11:58 PM in response to Winston Churchill

    So, if I have content on iTunes, from the store in the UK,  in the cloud you are saying that I cannot access it in Dubai?  That doesn't make sense.  I live in Cyprus and can easily connect to Apple TV from there.

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Aug 28, 2016 4:26 AM in response to tamshanter
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 28, 2016 4:26 AM in response to tamshanter

    Whether it makes sense to you or not is not important, if you read the terms and conditions that you agreed to when you signed up for iTunes, you will see that you agreed to not download it in any other location than that which it was purchased and that Apple reserve the right to block any such attempts. Whether they do or not is another matter and experiences seem mixed, however it does appear to me at least from reports here in these communities that their willingness to block such attempts is increasing.

  • by tamshanter,

    tamshanter tamshanter Aug 28, 2016 12:00 PM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 28, 2016 12:00 PM in response to Winston Churchill

    Hmmm.  Well that's me told.  It still doesn't answer my original question.  Perhaps I should just let it rest.

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Aug 29, 2016 4:09 AM in response to tamshanter
    Level 10 (103,375 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 29, 2016 4:09 AM in response to tamshanter

    Sorry, I didn't mean to be abrupt about it, I was just trying to point out that Apple can stop you downloading in Dubai.

     

    In regard to why your Apple TV isn't working, it rather depends exactly what areas aren't working, but you have at least 2 scenarios that might be a problem for you, Firstly, you are in a different location (country) to where you purchased the content and secondly, hotel networks are notoriously restrictive in many instances.