What authorizing a computer in iTunes actually does

Authorizing a computer in iTunes lets you play music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks you bought from the iTunes Store on that specific machine. Without authorization, you can still use iTunes and stream content, but you cannot play anything you purchased — the files will simply refuse to open. Apple limits each account to authorize up to five computers at once, which prevents one person from sharing their entire library across dozens of devices.

The authorization is tied to your Apple ID, not to the computer itself. If you sell the computer or give it away, you should deauthorize it first so that slot opens up for a new machine. If you forget to deauthorize and later need to authorize a sixth computer, you can remotely deauthorize all five from any machine, though you will have to wait 90 days before authorizing new ones.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization connects your Apple ID to a specific computer so you can play purchased iTunes content on that machine.
  • You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID account at the same time.
  • The authorization process takes less than a minute and requires only your Apple ID and password.
  • If you sell or give away a computer, deauthorize it first to free up one of your five slots.
  • If you hit the five-computer limit, you can deauthorize all machines at once, but must wait 90 days before authorizing new ones.

How to authorize a computer on Windows or Mac

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. In the menu bar at the top, click Account (on Mac) or look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Account (on Windows). From the dropdown, select Authorizations, then Authorize This Computer.

A window will pop up asking for your Apple ID and password. Type both in and click Authorize. iTunes will confirm that the computer is now authorized, and you will see the number of computers you have authorized out of five. The whole process takes about 30 seconds. You can now play any music, movies, TV shows, or audiobooks you purchased from the iTunes Store on this machine.

What to do if you cannot find the Authorize option

If the Authorize This Computer option is grayed out or missing, it usually means the computer is already authorized under your current Apple ID. Open Account again and look for View My Account or Account Settings — you should see a line that says "This computer is authorized" with the date it was authorized.

If you see a message that says you have already authorized five computers, you have hit the limit. You will need to deauthorize one of your other machines before you can authorize this one. If you no longer have access to those machines, you can deauthorize all five at once by going to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize All, but you will have to wait 90 days before you can authorize any new computers.

Deauthorizing a computer you no longer use

Before you sell, give away, or recycle a computer, deauthorize it in iTunes so that authorization slot becomes available for a new machine. Open iTunes, go to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer, enter your Apple ID and password, and click Deauthorize. The computer will no longer be able to play your purchased iTunes content.

If you no longer have physical access to a computer you previously authorized — for example, if it was stolen or you forgot to deauthorize before selling it — you can remove it remotely. Sign in to your Apple ID account on the web at appleid.apple.com, go to Devices, find the computer in the list, and click Remove. This counts as a deauthorization and frees up one of your five slots immediately.

Why iTunes authorization matters for shared households

If multiple people in your household use the same computer, only one Apple ID can authorize it. This means if you authorize the family computer under your account, other family members cannot play their own purchased iTunes content on that machine — only your purchases will work. Each person would need to authorize the computer under their own Apple ID, but since only one ID can authorize a given computer, you will have to choose whose account takes that slot.

If your household wants everyone to access their own purchases on a shared computer, consider using Family Sharing instead. Family Sharing lets up to six people share purchases with each other without needing separate authorizations, though it requires setting up a family group through your Apple ID settings. This is a different system from authorization and works better for households where people want to share content rather than keep purchases separate.

What happens if you authorize a computer and then forget your password

If you authorized a computer under your Apple ID and later change your password, the computer will continue to play your purchased content — authorization does not expire just because your password changed. However, the next time iTunes asks you to sign in (which might happen during an update or when you try to purchase something new), you will need to enter your new password.

If you forget your Apple ID password entirely, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com or through the Apple ID settings on any Apple device. Once you reset it, you can sign back into iTunes on your authorized computers with the new password. The authorization itself does not disappear; you just need the correct password to sign in again.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Only one Apple ID can authorize a given computer. If you try to authorize it under a second Apple ID, the first authorization will be removed. If you need both accounts to play their purchases on the same machine, you will have to choose which account gets the authorization slot.

What if I authorize a computer and then never use iTunes on it again?

The authorization stays active until you deauthorize it or until you authorize five other computers and hit the limit. There is no time limit — an authorization does not expire after a certain number of months or years of non-use. If you think you will not use iTunes on that computer again, deauthorize it to free up the slot for a machine you actually use.

Do I need to authorize a computer to use Apple Music or iTunes Match?

No. Authorization is only required to play content you purchased from the iTunes Store. Streaming services like Apple Music and iTunes Match work on any computer as long as you are signed in with your Apple ID. You can stream without authorizing.

Can I authorize a computer if I do not have the original password I used to create my Apple ID?

Yes. Authorization only requires your current Apple ID and current password. If you have forgotten your password, reset it at iforgot.apple.com first, then use the new password to authorize the computer.

What does it mean when iTunes says "This computer is authorized but you are not signed in"?

It means the computer is authorized under your Apple ID, but you are not currently logged into iTunes. Sign in with your Apple ID and password, and you will be able to play your purchased content. You do not need to authorize again — the authorization is already there.