Apple TV not recognized by iTunes

App & System Services Core OS Beta tvOS

Created Sep ’15

Replies 71

Boosts 1

Views 30k

Participants 52

Just got my dev kit in the mail and tried setting it up. When I plug it into my TV it enters recovery mode and shows the iTunes symbol.

However, when I connect it to iTunes via the provided USB cable it doesn't actually appear in the list. I tried with two laptops (one running 10.10 and one running 10.11) on iTunes 12.3. I then tried doing it through Xcode 7.1 instead but it couldn't see the device either.

The only troubleshooting advice the setup guide provided was to force it to enter recovery mode but it's already in recovery mode. I've also tried basic things like resetting the Apple TV.

Do I have a dud?

Boost

trekr OP

Sep ’15

I thought I had the same problem, where iTunes wouldn't recognize my Apple TV. However, I simply did not "click" the USB-C cable into the Apple TV fully. Since this is my first use of a USB-C cable, I didn't realize I had to apply a little extra force to hear the "click". One I did that, and the cable was fully inserted, it appeared immediatley within iTunes. Then option-click the restore button in iTunes, select the tvOS beta that you downloaded, and you should be in good shape. Enjoy.

dsummers13 OP

Sep ’15

Does anyone have a fix for this - I guess I can restore again if necessary, but the restore page isn't showing the UDID either...

Lord_Kale OP

Sep ’15

Happens here too: device shows up in System Report screen but not in iTunes, and on different Macs. My best guess is that's a bug in iTunes SW.

bvsdev OP

Sep ’15

Get the latest OSX and iTunes before you begin. Then click options-Restore. Everything went smoothly for me.

rothacr OP

Sep ’15

Hold Menu + Play/Pause on the remote to get the Apple TV in recovery mode, then restore via iTunes.

edolecki OP

Sep ’15

This.

nevan OP

Sep ’15

Holding down Menu & Play/Pause worked for me when restarting everything and messing with cables didn't.

hotpaw2 OP

Sep ’15

I had a slightly different problem where iTunes 10.3.0.44 would not see the Apple TV after the initial tvOS restore. But the Xcode 7.1 beta did see it, and let me get the UUID to proceed. This was using a MacBook Air running 10.10.5.

KMT OP

Sep ’15

Try today's tvOS update...

DavidRivera OP

Sep ’15

I was trying to put the new TVOS beta in. I could not update from the device for some reason so I decided to update via iTunes. iTunes could not see the new Apple TV. I tried to put the Apple TV in recovery mode with the siri remote and nothing happened. Only when I used an old Apple TV silver remote was I able to get it in recovery mode. Once in recovery mode I was able to install the latest TVOS.

walex OP

Sep ’15

Same fot me, I am not able of installing new beta.

Pelase see attached image

http://s17.postimg.org/spl13bw6n/Captura_de_pantalla_2015_09_24_a_las_0_06_42.png

Diragor OP

Sep ’15

This worked for me to get iTunes to see the device, but then the new beta won't install. If I click the Restore button without Option it complains that iTunes doesn't have software for the device. If I use Option and select the ipsw for the new tvOS beta it says it's preparing the Apple TV for restoration, then changes to "Waiting for Apple TV..." and stays like that for hours. Tried three times now.

Shaolo OP

Sep ’15

This should be marked as the answer.

So long as the apl tv is showing up in your USB list in system information, you know it's plugged in.

Putting my unit in DFU mode worked and made the apl tv show up in iTunes immediately.

emarschn OP

Sep ’15

I'm in the same boat... .Stuck at "Waiting for Apple TV" in itunes with a fast blink on the Apple TV.

earlmarv OP

Sep ’15

This is the only suggestion that worked. Thanks.