What authorizing a computer means and why you need to do it

Authorizing a computer on iTunes means telling Apple that this specific device is allowed to play music, movies, and other content you've bought from the iTunes Store using your Apple ID. Without authorization, you can download purchases to the computer, but you won't be able to actually play them.

Apple limits each Apple ID to authorize up to five computers at once. This is a security measure — it prevents someone else from using your account to access your purchases on unlimited devices. When you authorize a computer, iTunes stores a record that links your Apple ID to that machine's hardware.

You'll need to authorize a computer the first time you want to play protected iTunes content on it, or if you've recently reinstalled the operating system and lost the authorization. If you sell or give away a computer, you should deauthorize it first so it no longer counts toward your five-computer limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization connects your Apple ID to a specific computer so you can play iTunes purchases on that device.
  • Each Apple ID can authorize up to five computers, and you can deauthorize computers remotely from any device with internet access.
  • The authorization process takes less than a minute and requires your Apple ID password.
  • If you've hit your five-computer limit, you must deauthorize a computer before authorizing a new one.

How to authorize a computer on Windows or Mac

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. If you don't have iTunes installed, download it from Apple's website — the process is the same on both Windows and Mac.

Click the Account menu at the top of the iTunes window. On Windows, this appears in the menu bar. On Mac, it's in the top menu. Select "Sign In" if you're not already logged in, then enter your Apple ID and password.

Once you're signed in, go back to the Account menu and select "Authorize This Computer." A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm your Apple ID and password again. Enter them and click "Authorize." iTunes will process the authorization, which usually takes a few seconds. You'll see a message confirming that the computer is now authorized.

You can now play any iTunes purchases associated with that Apple ID on this computer. The authorization remains active until you deauthorize the computer or until you deauthorize all computers from your account.

What to do if you've already authorized five computers

Apple's five-computer limit is per Apple ID, not per person. If you've authorized five computers and need to authorize a sixth, you must deauthorize one of the existing computers first.

You can deauthorize a computer in two ways. If you have access to the computer itself, open iTunes, go to Account, and select "Deauthorize This Computer." You'll need to enter your Apple ID and password. The computer will be removed from your authorized list immediately.

If you no longer have access to a computer (because you sold it, it broke, or you forgot where it is), you can deauthorize it remotely. Sign in to your Apple ID account on Apple's website, go to your account settings, find the "Devices" or "Computers" section, and remove the computer from the list. You can deauthorize all five computers at once from the website, but you can only do this once per year — so use this option carefully.

Why authorization sometimes fails or stops working

If iTunes says the computer is already authorized but you still can't play purchases, restart both iTunes and your computer. Sometimes the authorization information doesn't load correctly on the first try.

If you see an error message when you try to authorize, check that you're using the correct Apple ID and password. The password is case-sensitive. If you've recently changed your Apple ID password, you may need to sign out of iTunes completely and sign back in with the new password before authorizing.

Authorization can also stop working if you've reinstalled your operating system or migrated to a new computer. In these cases, iTunes no longer recognizes the computer's hardware as the same device, so you'll need to authorize it again. This counts as authorizing a new computer, so if you're at your five-computer limit, you'll need to deauthorize the old installation first.

If you're having trouble with a specific error code, write down the exact message and search Apple's support website for that code. Different errors have different solutions — some relate to network problems, others to account issues.

How to deauthorize a computer you no longer use

If you're selling, donating, or recycling a computer, deauthorize it before you hand it over. This frees up one of your five authorization slots and prevents the new owner from accessing your iTunes purchases.

If you still have the computer, open iTunes, go to Account, and select "Deauthorize This Computer." Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. The computer will be deauthorized immediately, and you'll be able to authorize a different computer in its place.

If you no longer have access to the computer, sign in to your Apple ID account on Apple's website. Look for a section called "Devices," "Computers," or "Account Settings" (the exact name varies depending on your account type). Find the computer in the list and select the option to remove or deauthorize it. You can deauthorize individual computers this way, or you can deauthorize all computers at once — but remember that you can only deauthorize all computers once per year.

Understanding authorization across different Apple devices

Authorization on iTunes applies only to computers running iTunes — Windows PCs and Macs. iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches don't need to be "authorized" in the same way. Instead, they're associated with your Apple ID when you sign in to the device.

If you want to play iTunes purchases on an iPhone or iPad, you sign in with your Apple ID in the Settings app, and the device automatically has access to your purchases. There's no separate authorization step, and these devices don't count toward your five-computer limit.

However, if you're using iTunes on a Mac or Windows PC to sync music or other content to an iPhone or iPad, the computer itself still needs to be authorized. The authorization is between your Apple ID and the computer, not between your Apple ID and the iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to authorize my computer if I only use Apple Music?

No. Apple Music is a streaming service, so you don't own the files — you're renting access to them. Authorization only applies to content you've purchased and own, like songs, movies, or TV shows bought from the iTunes Store. If you only stream music, you don't need to authorize anything.

Can I authorize the same Apple ID on computers that belong to other people?

Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Each person who uses a computer should sign in with their own Apple ID. If you share a computer and both want access to your own iTunes purchases, each of you should authorize the computer with your own Apple ID separately. This way, each person can play their own purchases without sharing passwords.

What happens if I authorize a computer and then forget the password?

The authorization stays active on that computer even if you forget the password. However, if you need to re-authorize the computer later (for example, after reinstalling the operating system), you'll need your Apple ID password. If you've forgotten it, you can reset it on Apple's account recovery page.

Can I authorize a computer at a library or internet cafe?

You can, but it's not a good idea. Authorizing a computer means your Apple ID is linked to that device's hardware. If someone else uses that computer later, they could potentially access your iTunes purchases. Only authorize computers you own or have full control over.

How do I know which computers I've already authorized?

Sign in to your Apple ID account on Apple's website and look for the Devices or Computers section. You'll see a list of all computers currently authorized with your account, including their names and the dates they were authorized. This is also where you can deauthorize computers remotely.