Apple TV Conference Mode Woes

[scodavis]

I have been fighting with this issue for several years with a variety of Apple TV devices - all newer ones without the USB port built in.  The issue occurs because of two things:

1. Through JAMF, we have placed the Apple TV in Conference Mode.
2. The Apple TV has been turned off long enough to no longer have a valid certificate for JAMF.

The end result is that the Apple TV is stuck in conference mode, but since it is no longer communicating with JAMF it cannot be taken out of conference mode.  The only option is to factory reset, which then leads to a NEW problem - when I get to the factory reset screen, the remote no longer works to actually select the "Reset" option.  Here is the general process I do:

• Boot the Apple TV that needs a reset
• Pair a remote to the Apple TV
• Boot into recovery mode (power cycle multiple times, interrupting the boot each time, until the recovery mode screen appears)
• Attempt (usually unsuccessfully) to use the remote to select the Reset option and reset the device to factory settings.

The final step above is where it fails, because the remote I just paired to the device no longer does anything to control it.  While sometimes I get it to work on the 3rd or 5th or 10th try, I've never found a consistent method for doing this.

I'm really, really hoping that somebody on here has, because I'm at a loss.

[mschlosser]

interesting issue. I was having a similar problem with apple tv's; eventually i found out, that if you repeatedly attempt to boot the apple tv, and unplug it during the boot process around five times or so, upon the next boot up; the device will default to DFU mode and then you can restore the firmware, re enroll and scope and push new settings. hope that helps.

[arohrbaugh]

Did you ever figure out a solution to this. I am experiencing the same problem and can't get multiple Apple TVs reenrolled.

[EuripedesCO]

I would like a follow-up on this as well. We have about 20 AppleTVs in Conference Mode; many have not talked to JAMF in years. I am trying to level everything to the current tvOS, but resetting them has been tedious. Not all of the devices will respond to the power on/power off five times in a row so I can even get to the reset screen. This method appears to work less than half the time.

[arohrbaugh]

I have started using the old IR Apple TV remotes for once I'm at the reset screen. I don't have a problem getting to the login screen so I'm unsure of how to help you there but the IR remote is a lifesaver.

[agungsujiwo]

@arohrbaugh 
I agree with you,
I also do the same thing,
using the infrared Apple TV remote

[staralfur11]

Like @arohrbaugh I was able restore an Apple TV just now with the same issue using a Samsung Smart Remote (made sure it was able to control the Apple TV with the Samsung remote before recovery).

[scodavis]

@arohrbaugh @agungsujiwo I never did find a good solution to this, but I was curious if you could look at your IR Remote and give me the part number?  I'd like to make sure we have a few of these on hand for future resets!

[arohrbaugh]

The model number is A1294. I hope this helps.

--

Alex Rohrbaugh

Technology Department Intern

Upper St. Clair School District

District Administration Building

1775 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

412-851-2845 | www.uscsd.k12.pa.us

[arohrbaugh]

The model number is A1294.

[agungsujiwo · Accepted solution]

@scodavis 
This is a capture of my remote,

the part number is A1294 the same as @arohrbaugh ,
I use this Apple TV remote for troubleshooting and setup in all classes that use Apple TV, no need to pair.

[scodavis]

@agungsujiwo @arohrbaugh I want to thank both of you for your suggestion.  I bought a cheapie clone remote from Amazon and it worked PERFECTLY.  I didn't realize IR was still a thing, but wow this was a lifesaver.  In case anyone - including @EuripedesCO - can benefit from this, here is the product I bought:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2VZ0JG

Thank you again for your help!