What authorizing your computer means and why you need to do it
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 using your Apple ID. Without authorization, you won't be able to play purchases on that computer, even though you own them.
Apple limits each Apple ID to authorize up to five computers at once. This protects your account — it prevents someone else from using your purchases on their machine without your permission. When you buy something from iTunes, it's locked to your Apple ID, not to your computer. Authorization is the bridge that connects them.
You only need to authorize once per computer. After that, any content you buy with that Apple ID will play on that machine automatically. If you sell the computer or give it away, you can deauthorize it remotely from any other device.
Key Takeaways
- Authorization links your Apple ID to a specific computer so you can play iTunes purchases on that machine.
- Each Apple ID can authorize up to five computers, and authorization stays active until you remove it.
- The authorization process takes less than a minute and requires your Apple ID password.
- You can deauthorize a computer from any other device if you no longer use it or want to free up one of your five slots.
How to authorize a computer 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 — you should see File, Edit, View, and Account listed across the top.
Click on Account, then select Authorizations from the dropdown menu. You'll see two options: "Authorize This Computer" and "Deauthorize This Computer." Click Authorize This Computer.
A window will pop up asking for your Apple ID and password. Type in the email address associated with your Apple ID, then enter your password. If you use two-factor authentication on your Apple ID (which Apple now requires for most accounts), you may be asked to verify your identity on another device or enter a verification code. Follow the prompts on screen.
Once you've entered your credentials and completed any verification steps, click Authorize. You'll see a confirmation message saying your computer is now authorized. That's it — you're done.
How to authorize a computer on Mac
Open the Music app (on newer Macs running Monterey or later) or iTunes (on older versions). Both work the same way for authorization. Look at the menu bar at the very top of your screen.
Click on Account in the top menu, then select Authorizations and choose Authorize This Computer. A dialog box will appear asking for your Apple ID email and password.
Enter your Apple ID credentials. If your account has two-factor authentication enabled, you'll need to complete that verification step — Apple will either send a code to a trusted device or ask you to approve the authorization from another device you own. Once verified, click Authorize.
You'll see a message confirming that your computer is now authorized. The process is identical whether you're using the Music app or iTunes, and it takes about the same amount of time.
What to do if authorization fails
If you see an error message when trying to authorize, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Double-check that you're typing your Apple ID password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure Caps Lock is off. If you've forgotten your password, you can reset it on Apple's account page before trying again.
If your password is correct but authorization still fails, your internet connection may be the problem. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet and that the connection is stable. Try closing iTunes or the Music app completely, waiting a few seconds, then opening it again and attempting authorization once more.
If you have two-factor authentication enabled and you're not receiving verification codes or prompts, check that you have a trusted device nearby and that it's connected to the internet. You can also try signing out of your Apple ID on your computer entirely, then signing back in — this sometimes resets the authorization process and lets you try again.
If none of these steps work, you can deauthorize the computer from another authorized device, wait a few minutes, then try authorizing again. This clears out any stuck authorization state and usually solves persistent problems.
How to deauthorize a computer you no longer use
If you're selling your computer, giving it away, or simply want to free up one of your five authorization slots, you can deauthorize it. You don't need to be at that computer to do this — you can deauthorize from any other device with internet access.
On a Mac, open the Music app or iTunes, click Account in the top menu, then Authorizations, then Deauthorize This Computer. On Windows, the path is the same: Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted.
If you want to deauthorize a computer remotely — one you don't have access to anymore — you can do this from your Apple ID account page on any web browser. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, scroll down to "Devices," find the computer you want to remove, and click "Remove from Account." This deauthorizes it immediately.
After deauthorization, that computer will no longer be able to play your iTunes purchases. If you later want to use that computer again, you'll need to authorize it once more with your Apple ID.
Understanding the five-computer limit
Apple allows each Apple ID to authorize a maximum of five computers. This includes both Macs and Windows PCs — the limit is five total across both operating systems, not five of each. Once you've authorized five computers, you won't be able to authorize a sixth one until you deauthorize one of the existing five.
The five-computer limit exists to prevent account sharing. It's designed so that you can use your iTunes purchases on your personal devices — your work computer, home computer, laptop, and so on — without allowing unlimited sharing across many machines or with other people.
If you've hit the limit and need to authorize a new computer, deauthorize the one you use least often. You can always re-authorize it later if you need to. There's no penalty for deauthorizing and re-authorizing the same computer multiple times.
What happens after you authorize
Once a computer is authorized, any music, movies, TV shows, or books you've bought from the iTunes Store will play on that machine without asking for your password again. You can also download your purchases to that computer and listen to them offline.
Authorization doesn't give other people access to your account — it only lets that specific computer play content you've bought. If someone else uses that computer, they can play your iTunes purchases while they're on it, but they can't buy anything new or access your account settings without your password.
Authorization stays active indefinitely until you deauthorize the computer. You don't need to renew it or do anything to maintain it. If you haven't used a computer in years and it's still authorized, it will remain authorized until you manually remove it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I authorize the same computer twice or with two different Apple IDs?
A single computer can be authorized with only one Apple ID at a time. If you want to switch it to a different Apple ID, you must first deauthorize it with the current ID, then authorize it with the new one. This takes just a few minutes.
What if I forgot which computers I've authorized?
You can see all your authorized computers by signing into appleid.apple.com, going to "Devices," and looking at the list. This shows every computer currently authorized with your Apple ID. From this page, you can also deauthorize any device you no longer recognize.
Do I need to authorize my computer if I only listen to Apple Music, not iTunes purchases?
No. Authorization is only required for content you've bought from the iTunes Store. Apple Music streams to any device where you're signed into your Apple ID, and it doesn't use the authorization system.
Can I authorize a computer at a library or internet café?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Authorizing a shared computer uses up one of your five slots, and anyone using that computer afterward could potentially play your purchases. If you do authorize a shared computer, deauthorize it as soon as you're done using it.
What does "this computer is not authorized to play protected AAC files" mean?
This error means the computer isn't authorized for your Apple ID. Go through the authorization process again, making sure you use the correct Apple ID and password. Once authorized, the error should disappear and your purchases will play normally.