What authorizing a computer means

Authorizing a computer on iTunes tells Apple that you own or have permission to use that device, and it links your Apple ID to it. Once authorized, you can play music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks you've bought through iTunes on that computer without needing to enter your password every time. You can authorize up to five computers at once under a single Apple ID.

The authorization system exists because Apple sells digital content with usage restrictions. When you buy a song or movie, you're buying a license to play it on your devices, not owning an unrestricted file. Authorization prevents one person from sharing their entire iTunes library across dozens of computers.

Key Takeaways

  • You authorize a computer by opening iTunes, going to Account menu, selecting Authorize This Computer, and entering your Apple ID and password.
  • Authorization links your Apple ID to that specific computer and lets you play purchased content without re-entering your password each time.
  • You can have up to five authorized computers under one Apple ID at any given time.
  • If you sell or give away a computer, you should deauthorize it first so that authorization slot opens up for a new device.
  • On newer Macs running Sonoma or later, iTunes has been replaced by the Music app, which uses the same authorization process.

Steps to authorize a computer on iTunes

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click Account. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

Select Authorize This Computer from that menu. A dialog box will pop up asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter both and click Authorize. iTunes will confirm that the computer is now authorized, and you're done.

The entire process takes less than a minute. Once authorized, you won't see a login prompt when you try to play purchased content on that computer — it will play immediately.

What happens after you authorize

After authorization, any content you've bought through iTunes will play on that computer without asking for a password. This applies to music, movies, TV episodes, audiobooks, and apps purchased through the iTunes Store. If someone else uses that computer and tries to play your purchased content, it will play without requiring authentication.

Authorization is device-specific, not account-specific. If you have two computers and authorize both under your Apple ID, each one can play your purchased content independently. But if you log into a different Apple ID on either computer, that new account won't have access to your purchases unless you authorize that computer under your own Apple ID again.

Deauthorizing a computer you no longer use

When you sell, give away, or stop using a computer, you should deauthorize it. This frees up one of your five authorization slots so you can authorize a new device later. To deauthorize, open iTunes, go to Account in the menu bar, and select Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted.

If you can't access a computer you previously authorized — for example, if it was stolen or you no longer have it — you can deauthorize it remotely. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, scroll to the Security section, and look for "Devices" or "iTunes Authorizations." You can deauthorize computers from there without needing physical access to them.

Authorization on Mac with newer operating systems

If you're using a Mac with macOS Sonoma or later, iTunes no longer exists as a separate app. Instead, the Music app handles all music purchases and authorization. The process is nearly identical: open the Music app, click Music in the menu bar, select Account, then choose Authorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password.

Movies and TV shows moved to the Apple TV app on newer Macs, and audiobooks moved to the Books app. Each app has its own authorization process, but they all work the same way: Account menu, then Authorize This Computer. You don't need to authorize each app separately — authorizing one app under your Apple ID typically authorizes all of them.

Troubleshooting authorization problems

If you see an error message when trying to authorize, the most common cause is an incorrect Apple ID or password. Double-check that you're using the correct Apple ID — it's usually an email address — and that Caps Lock is not on. If you've forgotten your password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com before trying to authorize again.

If you've already authorized five computers and want to authorize a new one, you'll need to deauthorize one of the old computers first. iTunes will tell you how many computers you currently have authorized when you try to authorize a sixth one. If you can't remember which computers you authorized, you can view the list and deauthorize them remotely through your Apple ID account settings online.

If authorization seems to work but purchased content still won't play, make sure you're signed into iTunes with the same Apple ID you used to buy the content. Content purchased under one Apple ID won't play on a computer authorized under a different Apple ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I authorize the same computer twice under different Apple IDs?

No. A computer can only be authorized under one Apple ID at a time. If you want to switch which Apple ID authorizes a computer, you must deauthorize it first under the current ID, then authorize it under the new one. This counts as using one of your five authorization slots for each ID.

What if I authorize a computer and then forget my Apple ID password?

Authorization stays active even if you change your password later. You won't need to re-authorize. However, if you want to make changes to your account or authorize a new computer, you'll need to reset your password at iforgot.apple.com.

Do I need to authorize a computer to download content from iTunes?

No. You can download purchased content to any computer by signing into your Apple ID in iTunes or the Music app. Authorization is only required to play content you've already bought. You need authorization before you can listen to or watch anything you've purchased.

What happens to authorization if I upgrade my operating system?

Authorization typically survives operating system upgrades. However, if you perform a complete clean install of your operating system, you may need to re-authorize the computer. If that happens, simply follow the authorization steps again with your Apple ID.

Can I authorize a computer on someone else's WiFi?

Yes. Authorization only requires an internet connection and your Apple ID credentials. You don't need to be on a specific network. However, make sure you're using your own Apple ID and password, not someone else's, or they'll be able to access your purchased content on that computer.