- Apple TV users are experiencing issues with signing in, preventing them from accessing content on their devices.
- To fix this, users can try enabling two-factor authentication on their iOS device or restarting/resetting their Apple TV.
- Following these steps can help resolve the sign-in problem and allow users to access their Apple TV content.
Having trouble signing in to your Apple TV? You’re not alone. Many users in 2025 are reporting that their Apple TV is stuck on the sign-in screen, preventing them from accessing apps or watching content. Whether you’re trying to stream Apple TV+, use third-party apps, or simply complete the initial setup, the device keeps looping back to the Apple ID login screen or won’t recognize your credentials at all.
If you can’t sign in to your Apple ID or your Apple TV is stuck and won’t move past the sign-in prompt, this step-by-step guide will help you fix it with updated methods that actually work in 2025.
Fix Apple TV Stuck and Couldn’t Sign In
You can resolve the sign-in issue with your Apple TV by following these two simple solutions.
Allow Apple TV To Recognize Your Password
You are most likely to face the issue if you have two-factor authentication enabled on your PC. Try entering the verification code along with your password to fix the problem. To do so, follow the steps given below–
- Enter the password on your Apple TV but don’t sign in.
- Now, open your iPhone or iPad, and head to the Settings app on your iOS device.
- In the Settings app, tap on your Apple ID profile at the top, then select Sign-In & Security (this used to be called Password & Security).
- Tap on Get Verification Code.
- Now enter the verification code you get on your TV. For instance, enter the password in this format: password654321, where password is your account’s password, and 654321 is the verification code.
Note: Apple no longer allows turning off two-factor authentication. If this method doesn’t work, make sure you are entering both the password and the code exactly as mentioned. Disabling two-factor authentication is no longer possible for most users.
Restart/Reset Your Apple TV
Another thing that you can try doing is restarting your TV. Restarting your Apple TV helps fix any issue you face due to temporary bugs. To restart your Apple TV, follow the steps given below:
- Head to the Settings option on your Apple TV.
- In Settings, go to System, and then select Restart.
- This will restart your TV, and you should now be able to sign in to your Apple TV.
You can also restart your Apple TV using your Siri Remote by holding the Back (or Menu) button and the TV/Control Center button together until the status light blinks.
If simply restarting didn’t help, turn off your TV, disconnect all the cables for a minute or two. Now connect all the cables and turn on the TV, and you will be able to sign in to your Apple TV now.
If restarting your Apple TV also didn’t help and your Apple TV could not sign in, you can try resetting your TV. To reset the TV, follow the steps given below–
- On your Apple TV, head to Settings.
- Go to System, then select Reset, and then tap on Reset All Settings in the options.
- This will reset your Apple TV, and you should be able to sign in to your account on Apple TV.
Check Your Internet Connection and Apple Servers
Sometimes, the problem isn’t your Apple ID or device but a network or server issue. A weak or unstable internet connection can prevent your Apple TV from signing in.
- Make sure your Apple TV is connected to a strong and stable Wi-Fi network.
- You can check this by going to Settings > Network and confirming signal strength.
- If the signal is weak, restart your router or try switching to a different Wi-Fi network.
Also, visit Apple’s System Status page on your phone or PC and make sure Apple ID or Apple TV services aren’t down. If they are, you’ll need to wait until Apple resolves the issue.
Sign In Using iPhone (Auto Sign-In)
If entering the Apple ID manually doesn’t work, try using your iPhone to sign in automatically. This feature has become more reliable in recent tvOS versions.
- When your Apple TV shows the Sign in with Apple ID screen, select Sign in with iPhone.
- Make sure your iPhone is near the Apple TV and both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and logged into the same Apple ID.
- A prompt will appear on your iPhone to authorize the Apple TV.
- Tap Allow, and you’ll be signed in without entering anything on the TV.
This can save time and avoid keyboard or remote input errors.
Try Logging Out from Other Apple Devices
Sometimes, your Apple ID gets temporarily locked or confused when too many devices are signed in at once, especially during 2FA sessions.
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Devices.
- Tap on old or unused devices and choose Remove from Account if you don’t use them anymore.
- Then go back to your Apple TV and try signing in again.
This helps reset your Apple ID session and can solve hidden conflicts.
Use Apple Configurator (Advanced – Optional)
If nothing else works and your Apple TV is part of a school or business setup, you can use Apple Configurator 2 on a Mac to reinstall tvOS or erase configurations.
- Connect your Apple TV (HD models only, with USB-C) to your Mac.
- Open Apple Configurator 2 and follow the restore or erase process.
Only use this method if you’re familiar with Apple device management or have support staff to help.
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