What authorizing your computer means

Authorizing your computer for iTunes means telling Apple that this specific device is allowed to play music, movies, and other content you've bought from the iTunes Store. When you buy something from iTunes, Apple attaches it to your Apple ID. Without authorization, you can't play that content on a new computer — even if you own it and have the right Apple ID.

You can authorize up to five computers at once under a single Apple ID. Once you hit that limit, you have to deauthorize an old computer before you can authorize a new one. This is Apple's way of preventing the same purchase from being shared across too many devices.

If you're setting up a new computer, moving to a different Mac or PC, or just can't play iTunes purchases you know you own, authorization is usually the fix.

Key Takeaways

  • You authorize a computer by opening iTunes or the Music app, signing in with your Apple ID, and selecting the authorize option from the menu.
  • Authorization is tied to your Apple ID, not your computer, so you need the same Apple ID you used to buy the content.
  • You can authorize up to five computers under one Apple ID, and you can deauthorize old computers from any authorized device.
  • If you've forgotten your Apple ID password, you'll need to reset it through Apple's account recovery before you can authorize.
  • Deauthorizing all computers at once requires signing into your Apple ID on the iTunes Store website, not through the app.

Authorize on a Mac using the Music app

On newer Macs running macOS Catalina or later, iTunes was replaced by the Music app. Open the Music app and look at the top menu bar. Click Music, then scroll down to find Account, and select Authorize This Computer.

A window will pop up asking for your Apple ID and password. Type in the Apple ID you used to buy the iTunes content you want to play. Click Authorize. The app will confirm that your computer is now authorized, and you should be able to play your purchases right away.

If you don't see the authorize option, your computer may already be authorized under that Apple ID. You can check by going to Music > Account and looking for View My Account instead — if you see that option, the computer is already set up.

Authorize on a Windows PC or older Mac

On Windows and older Macs still running iTunes, open the iTunes application. At the top of the window, click the Account menu. You should see an option that says Authorize This Computer — click it.

A dialog box will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter the credentials for the Apple ID that purchased the content you want to play. Click Authorize. iTunes will confirm the authorization, and your computer is now set up to play your purchases.

If you see Deauthorize This Computer instead of authorize, your computer is already authorized under an Apple ID. You can use it as-is, or deauthorize it first if you want to authorize it under a different Apple ID.

What to do if you don't know your Apple ID password

If you can't remember your Apple ID password, you won't be able to complete authorization. Go to iforgot.apple.com in a web browser and enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will walk you through resetting your password — usually by sending a code to your email or phone.

Once you've reset your password, return to your computer and try the authorization steps again. Use your Apple ID and the new password you just created.

Deauthorize a computer you no longer use

If you've reached the five-computer limit and need to authorize a new device, you have to deauthorize an old one first. If you still have access to the old computer, open iTunes or the Music app, go to Account, and select Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID password and confirm.

If you no longer have access to the old computer — it's broken, sold, or lost — you can deauthorize it remotely. Go to appleid.apple.com in a web browser, sign in with your Apple ID, and look for a section called Devices or Security. Find the computer you want to remove and select the option to deauthorize or remove it. This works from any device with internet access.

Deauthorize all computers at once

If you've lost track of which computers are authorized or want to start fresh, you can deauthorize all five at the same time — but only through the iTunes Store website, not through the app. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and find the section for devices or security settings.

Look for an option to Deauthorize All or Remove All Devices. Click it and confirm. This will immediately deauthorize every computer linked to your Apple ID. You can then authorize them again one at a time as needed. Keep in mind that you can only do this once per year, so use it carefully.

Troubleshooting authorization problems

If you've entered your Apple ID and password correctly but authorization still fails, make sure your internet connection is working. iTunes and the Music app need to connect to Apple's servers to complete authorization. Try restarting your computer and attempting authorization again.

If you're seeing an error message, write down the exact text and search for it on Apple's support website — different errors point to different fixes. Common issues include using the wrong Apple ID (the one that actually bought the content, not just any Apple ID on your account), having an outdated version of iTunes or the Music app, or account security blocks if Apple suspects unusual activity.

If nothing works, you can contact Apple Support directly through their website. Have your Apple ID, the name of the computer, and the error message ready when you reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. A computer can only be authorized under one Apple ID at a time. If you want to switch, you have to deauthorize it first under the old ID, then authorize it under the new one. This means you'll lose access to purchases made under the first ID.

What happens if I authorize a computer and then sell it?

You should deauthorize it before handing it over. If you forget, you can still deauthorize it remotely through appleid.apple.com. The new owner can then authorize it under their own Apple ID. If you don't deauthorize it, they won't be able to use it with their own purchases.

Do I need to authorize a computer to buy things from iTunes?

No. You can buy content from iTunes on any computer or device without authorization. Authorization is only required to play content you've already bought. You need it to listen to music or watch movies you own.

Will authorizing my computer affect other people using it?

Authorization is tied to your Apple ID, not to user accounts on your computer. Other people using the same computer can play your iTunes purchases if they're logged into your Apple ID, but they can't access them under their own Apple IDs. If you want to keep your purchases private, don't share your Apple ID password.

How long does authorization last?

Authorization doesn't expire. Once you authorize a computer, it stays authorized under that Apple ID until you manually deauthorize it. You only need to authorize once per computer, unless you deauthorize it or switch Apple IDs.