What authorizing a computer means and why iTunes asks for it

Authorizing a computer for iTunes means telling Apple that this particular 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 download the content but not play it — the computer needs permission first.

You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID at any given time. This limit exists so you can't share your purchases across dozens of devices. If you've already authorized five computers and try to use a sixth, you'll need to deauthorize one of the old ones first.

The authorization process is straightforward and takes less than a minute. You'll need your Apple ID and password, and your computer needs an internet connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization links your computer to your Apple ID so iTunes can verify you own the content you're trying to play.
  • You authorize through the Account menu in iTunes on Windows or the iTunes menu on Mac — the steps are nearly identical.
  • You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID; if you hit that limit, you must deauthorize an old computer before authorizing a new one.
  • If you've forgotten your Apple ID password, you can reset it through Apple's website before starting the authorization process.

Authorizing on Windows

Open iTunes on your Windows computer. If you don't have iTunes installed, download it from Apple's website first. Once iTunes is open, look at the top menu bar and click Account.

A dropdown menu will appear. Click Authorize This Computer. A dialog box will pop up asking for your Apple ID and password. Type in the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID, then enter your password. Click Authorize.

iTunes will connect to Apple's servers to verify your account. If your credentials are correct, you'll see a confirmation message saying the computer is now authorized. Close the dialog and you're done — your computer can now play iTunes purchases.

Authorizing on Mac

Open iTunes on your Mac. At the top of the screen, click the iTunes menu (not File — this is the menu that shows "iTunes" as its name).

From the dropdown, select Account, then click Authorize This Computer. The same dialog box will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter your credentials and click Authorize.

The process is identical to Windows from this point forward. You'll see a confirmation message once authorization succeeds, and your computer is ready to play your iTunes purchases.

What to do if you've already authorized five computers

If you try to authorize a sixth computer and iTunes tells you that you've reached your limit, you need to deauthorize one of the old computers first. You can only deauthorize a computer if you have access to it — you cannot deauthorize remotely through the web.

Go to one of the five authorized computers you no longer use or plan to replace. Open iTunes, go to Account (or iTunes menu on Mac), and click Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID credentials when prompted. Once that computer is deauthorized, you can go back to your new computer and authorize it.

If one of your five authorized computers is lost, stolen, or no longer accessible, you have one other option: visit Apple's website, sign into your account, and use the "Manage Your Devices" section to deauthorize it remotely. This option is available once per year, so use it only if you truly cannot access the computer in person.

Troubleshooting authorization problems

If iTunes says your password is incorrect when you know it's right, you may have changed your Apple ID password recently. Try resetting your password through Apple's account recovery page at iforgot.apple.com. Once you've reset it, try authorizing again with the new password.

If you see an error message about your account or a network problem, make sure your computer is connected to the internet and try again. If the problem persists, restart iTunes completely — close it entirely and reopen it — then attempt authorization again.

If you're using an older version of iTunes, authorization may work differently or not at all. Check for updates in the Help menu (Windows) or iTunes menu (Mac) and install any available updates before trying to authorize.

What happens after authorization

Once your computer is authorized, you can download and play any iTunes content you've purchased with that Apple ID. You don't need to authorize again unless you deauthorize the computer or switch to a different Apple ID.

If you sell or give away your computer, deauthorize it first so the new owner can authorize it with their own Apple ID. This also frees up one of your five authorization slots for a new computer of your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to authorize my computer if I only stream music?

No. Authorization is only required for content you've purchased or downloaded. If you use Apple Music or another streaming service, you don't need to authorize. However, if you have any purchased songs or videos in your library, you'll need authorization to play those.

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

Yes, but each Apple ID counts toward its own five-computer limit. A single computer can be authorized for multiple Apple IDs, so family members can each use their own account on the same machine. However, only one person can play protected content at a time.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password?

Visit iforgot.apple.com and follow the steps to reset your password. You'll need access to the email address or phone number associated with your account. Once you've reset it, use the new password to authorize your computer in iTunes.

Can I authorize a computer without an internet connection?

No. iTunes must connect to Apple's servers to verify your account during authorization. Your computer needs an active internet connection. Once authorized, you can play purchased content offline, but the initial authorization requires internet access.

How do I know if my computer is already authorized?

Open iTunes and go to Account (or iTunes menu on Mac). If you see "Authorize This Computer" in the menu, it's not authorized. If you see "Deauthorize This Computer" instead, it's already authorized for your current Apple ID.