Apple TV repeatedly requests authorization to play iTunes Store purchases

Products Affected

Apple TV (1st generation), Apple TV (2nd generation), iTunes Store

Symptoms

If you have authorized your Apple TV to play your iTunes Store rentals (or purchases on Apple TV 1st generation only), but can't play them, and your Apple TV keeps requesting authorization, try the following suggestions.

Resolution

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Authorize using the correct account name

You may have rented, or purchased, content using a different iTunes Store account. Make sure you are signed in on your Apple TV with the iTunes Store account used to rent or purchase the content you are trying to view.

Update your software

Make sure that you have installed the latest versions of your Apple TV, iTunes, and operating system software.

  • To check for Apple TV updates from your Apple TV main menu screen, select Settings > General > Update Software.
  • To check for iTunes updates, you can either update your software automatically using Software Update, or you can download the latest iTunes update from the iTunes download page.
  • It is also important to ensure that your operating system software is up to date. If you have a Mac, you can update your software automatically using Software Update. Windows users should check Microsoft's website for the latest Windows updates.

Check for content from the iTunes Store (Apple TV 1st generation only)

Once you've updated your Apple TV and iTunes software and properly authorized your Apple TV (1st generation), try checking for or downloading content from the iTunes Store directly onto your Apple TV. To check for downloads from your Apple TV, go to Settings > Downloads > Check for Downloads.

Force Sync from iTunes (Apple TV 1st generation only)

You can also attempt to force a sync between your iTunes application on your computer, and your Apple TV (1st generation). To do so, from your iTunes application, find the Apple TV icon in the device list on the left hand side of the application and Control-click, or right-click, on the icon to get a short menu. Select the Sync option in order to force a sync.

Select Sync

Restart your Apple TV

If the issue persists, restart your Apple TV. Before restarting, make sure that you are logged into your iTunes Store account. To log in, or confirm your login, go to Settings > General > iTunes Store. 

Once you've logged in, restart your Apple TV by unplugging your Apple TV and plugging it back in again.

Additional Information

If you are experiencing similar symptoms, but on your computer with iTunes, see iTunes repeatedly prompts to authorize computer to play iTunes Store purchases.

If you are able to play your content in iTunes, but not on your Apple TV, and your symptoms are not as described above, refer to Apple TV may not play content purchased from the iTunes Store for more information.

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