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

pslootweg OP

Oct ’15

That worked when nothing else did 🙂

Behinder OP

Oct ’15

I am on beta El Capitan and the same problem.

I put Apple TV in recovery mode iTunes started to see it but i cannot restore becaue I got message "software not available at this time. check if you have recent version of iTunes".

Whaaaat?

RickDT OP

Oct ’15

Worked here, after nothing else did. Thanks!

Tjalsma OP

Oct ’15

This worked for me. With everything plugged in and powered up:

Hold down the MENU button and the Pause/Play button on the AppleTV remote until the AppleTV front light blinks rapidly. It then appears in iTunes.

OS X El Cap v 10.11.1 Beta (15B30a)

iTunes 12.3.0.44

Xcode Version 7.1 beta (7B60)

tvOS 9.0 (13T5379f)

jrgoodle OP

Oct ’15

Thanks so much. This worked for me as well.

igb9yb9 OP

Oct ’15

I'm still hvaing this problem, tried everything from restoring the ATV, to putting in restore mode, plugging into my mac in every possible configuration and restarting my macbook etc etc. No one has any idea what the problem is, I can only think it's a problem with the cable

KMT OP

Oct ’15

>I can only think it's a problem with the cable

Can you describe the cable?

codeRefiner OP

Oct ’15

Hey I am having a similar issue and I am about to throw this Apple TV out my window.

- I have the latest Xcode 7.1

- I have a USB-C connected to the Apple TV and a USB cable from the USB-C to my mac.

- I have iTunes 12.3.23

I tried putting my device in DFU mode. Completely useless. NOTHING will work. My machine and does not recognize this Apple TV at all.

If I unplug the apple tv from my computer and simply put an HDMI to my television it works fine.

But I can't get iTunes or Xcode to recognize it at all.

Please help someone...

diggitydown OP

Nov ’15

I'm in the same boat. Plus I also get the “USB Devices Disabled” issue. Any luck?

dragon377 OP

Nov ’15

When you have tried everything and nothing works.

The only cable that worked for me was the "belkin USB-A to USB-C charge Cable (male - male)" sold on the online Apple Store if you are on MacBookPro with USB-A port

The Apple "USB-C to USB-C (male-male)" cable works too if you have a MacBook Air with USB-C port (tried it in an Apple Store with a technician when investigating this problem)

The Apple USB-A to USB-C Adapter (male - female) connected to a USB-A 3.1 cable DOES NOT WORK.

-Otherwise, don't forget to put your Apple TV 4 in recovery mode (pressing pause - menu buttons for 10 sec)

CAPSBOY OP

Sep ’20

Hi
I know this is a old topic but I have two Apple TV 4th gens not restoring even with the beta IPWS.

what cables did people use to get it going?
cheers