Watch AppleTV on AppleTV Device

Recently I joined Apple TV subscription by using family sharing. I can watch AppleTV content on my iPhone and Mac computers. However I could not watch the content on my AppleTV device straight through AppleTV app(TV app in short). On my other devices, I can watch TV content when I open TV app since I use the same AppleID with family sharing setting. On my AppleTV device, when I open the TV app, I get prompt to sign in with password for my AppleID. There is no problem to sign in, but I see Trial icon which is not showing on my other devices.

I could mirror or redirect content from my other Apple devices to my big TV screen, but it is painful to watch high resolution TV streaming in this way, always stuck or spinning wheels on screen. My device is 3rd generation one.

After several days trying and investigation, I could not find solution. I decided to get help from Apple. I found Apple support from web. I clicked on call support link from my AppleID page, I was told that Apple support would call me directly. That's new and interesting. Indeed, I got a call from Apple in no time. It was about 8pm on Saturday night.

I explained my issue. The support person actually was not the right one for this issue, but I was forward to multimedia streaming support department.

Solution: Password+Passcode

To cut the story short, the solution is very simple. In the sign in prompt when I open TV app, I was told to type in my AppleID password plus passcode. The passcode can be get from my iPhone. In settings, tap on my name, then Password & Security. Scroll down there is Get Verification Code link to get passcode.

That's very wired and so simple. This requirement is one time. After that, I don't see Trial icon and no need to sign in again. Now I can enjoy my AppleTV content straight from my AppleTV device!

iCloud Continuity

One of iCloud Continuity features is copy/paste. I like this very much. I could type in text on my Mac, then make a copy. With this continuity, I could paste text easily on my iPhone.

However, my recent Mac update from MB Air to MB Pro. I could have this feature to work on my new MB Pro. I tried to search for solutions on web but with no luck.

Apple Support

Today, I decided to get help from Apple. All of my Apple devices are out of Apple Care warrantees, MBP is 2017 and iPhone is XR. I thought that my issue is Mac OS update related issue, I may be able to get help from Apple, based on my previous experience from Apple support.

I phoned 1-800 line. Not waiting for long, I got a real person helper. I told him my story and also mentioned that I have turned on Wifi same network and Bluetooth. That saves him time to investigate issues. He put me on hold to search for support information.

It seems that there is no need having Apple Care to get Apple's support. My case is OS ie iCloud service issue. That's really nice service from Apple.

While the waiting time, I tapped my iPhone on bottom and swipe up to get active apps. I noticed that on the bottom, Safari with a message saying to my MBA. I realized that my iCloud might be paired to my iPhone and my previous MBA!




I took my MBA out and turned it on. I tried to copy something text there. Then I got the text pasted on my iPhone. It works, but no my updated MBP.

The helper was back. I told him my findings. I said, it might be my iCloud service is paired between iPhone and MBA. Is there any way to find out this pairing and change it to my MBP? I asked.

To cut story short, he said that it is beyond his knowledge to solve the issue. He has to pass it to senior person to provide solution.

Solution for iCloud Continuity and Universal Clipboard

The second helper was a lady. She remotely accessed to my Mac. Quickly with her investigation and suggestions, I finally get Continuity and Universal Clipboard working!

She asked me to restarted my iPhone and Mac first. I said I tried that, still not working. Then she told me to sign out my iCloud from my iPhone (General | My Apple ID... | Sign Out). Then restart my iPhone, sign in again.

It took a while to get all the data back from iCloud. She told me to log on my MBP. I opened my Notes app. I tried to type something there. Quick I saw the changes are reflected on my iPhone. This part is working.

However, the universal clipboard is not working, still I cannot paste text copied on my Mac.

She continued to investigate my Mac. From System Preferences, in Profiles, she found some malware on my Mac! That's amazing, first time found malware on Mac, from Apple support.



She told me to press "-" to remove them first. Then She told to get a tool to remove it from my Mac. The tool is from malwarebytes.com. That's another surprise for me, using third party app to kill malware. I was hesitated, but I followed her suggestion.

I downloaded the installation package from malwarebytes.com, installed it, then opened it. She told me to scan first. TopicSearch was found in system library. Final step was to remove it. If I was convinced my 1-800 number is correct, I would not do that.

After I restarted my Mac again. I gave copy/paste a try in Notes app. Finally, it was working. The problem was resolved!

"Thank you very much, your Apple support is super!" I finally told her. She smiled.

My Understanding of iCloud Continuity

After everything is working between my iPhone and new MBP. To my surprise, my MBA also keeps working iCloud. I tried to copy of an image in MBA, and I could paste it in my MBP and iPhone!

Based on this experience, my initial understanding of iCloud Continuity was not correct. It is actually not pairing of iPhone and another device such as Mac. It is the continuity among all iCloud based devices.

I think that initially I configured the continuity feature in both iPhone and MBA. Somehow, my when I later added my MBP, the cached configuration did not pick the new device automatically. As Apple helper did, I had to sign out iCloud from my iPhone and sign in again. All devices I set up in my iCloud them are recognized.

It is really cool to see iCloud continuity working among all Apple devices.

References

Apple Support Line in my iOS app. I made a record by a tap in my app with following note:



I saved all my Apple related stories, activities & events in TapToCount-3W app. It makes me easy to recall and find contact information.

Malwarebytes: How to install Malwarebytes

iMac 21 HD Repaire Recall

Today I received one letter from from Apple by email. It is about iMac 21 sold between Oct 2009 to July 2011. The letter indicates that my iMac's HD may fail anytime and Apple is going to provide free replacement. I checked my iMac 21, and found that I have a blog about this model. Actually, the date is on Aug 16, 2011, about one month after the time range.

I think that I saw similar news on web before, something about iMac HD recall. Unexpectedly, my iMac is on the list. I have registered all my iMacs when I got them. Apple has my past purchase record.

The following is the letter.

Dear iMac owner, Apple has determined that certain 1TB Seagate hard drives used in 21.5-inchand 27-inch iMac systems may fail. These systems were sold between October 2009 and July 2011. Our records show that you have an iMac with an affected 1TB Seagate hard drive. Apple will replace your hard drive with a new one, free of charge, under the iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program. Please choose one of the following options to get a replacement hard drive.

Apple Retail Store - Set up an appointment with a Genius. Apple Authorized Service Provider - Find one here. Apple Technical Support - Contact us for local service options. Apple recommends replacing your affected hard drive as soon as possible. Before you go in for service, please back up your data. Learn more about backup options. Additional Information You will need to have the original Mac OS installation discs that were shipped with your iMac in order to reinstall your operating system, other applications, and any backed up data after your hard drive is replaced. This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of the iMac. Apple will replace affected 1TB Seagate hard drives, free of charge, for three years from your iMac’s original date of purchase or until April 12, 2013, whichever provides longer coverage for you. Apple will continue to evaluate service data and provide extensions to this program as needed. We apologize for any inconvenience. Sincerely, Apple Inc.

I am going to make an appointment and get my iMac HD replaced. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Last Sunday I went to Market Mall Apple Store. I was told that my iMac is not in the re-call list. It is the iMac 21" 1T HD. My is 500GB. I was told that my iMac is fine.

Referrence

• My blog on my iMac 21: New iMac 21 Arrived!