What authorizing a computer means and why you need to do it
Authorizing a computer with 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 play them.
Apple limits each Apple ID to authorize up to five computers at once. This protects against widespread sharing of paid content while still letting you use your purchases across multiple devices you actually own. When you authorize a computer, iTunes stores a record linked to your Apple ID, not to the computer itself.
You only need to authorize once per computer. After that, any content you buy with that Apple ID will play on that machine without asking again. If you sell or give away the computer, you should deauthorize it first so it no longer counts against your five-computer limit.
Key Takeaways
- Authorization connects your Apple ID to a specific computer so iTunes content you've purchased will play on that machine.
- Each Apple ID can authorize up to five computers, and this limit resets once per year if you deauthorize all of them.
- The authorization process takes less than a minute and requires only your Apple ID and password.
- Deauthorizing a computer before you sell or donate it frees up one of your five authorization slots for a new device.
How to authorize a computer on Windows
Open iTunes on the Windows computer you want to authorize. 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.
From the Account menu, select Authorizations, then click Authorize This Computer. A window will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Type in the email address associated with your Apple ID, then enter your password. Click Authorize.
iTunes will confirm that the computer is now authorized. You'll see a message telling you how many computers are currently authorized under your Apple ID (for example, "2 of 5 computers authorized"). The authorization is now complete, and you can play any iTunes purchases on this computer.
How to authorize a computer on Mac
On a Mac, open iTunes from your Applications folder or by searching for it with Spotlight. Once iTunes is open, click the Account menu at the top of the screen.
Select Authorizations from the dropdown, then click Authorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID email address and password when prompted, then click Authorize. The system will confirm authorization and show you how many of your five computers are now authorized.
If you're using a newer Mac with Apple Music or the Music app instead of iTunes, the process is similar but the menu location may differ slightly depending on your macOS version. The core steps — finding Account settings and selecting Authorize This Computer — remain the same.
What to do if authorization fails
If you see an error message when trying to authorize, the most common cause is an incorrect Apple ID or password. Double-check that you're using the correct email address and that your password is typed accurately. Apple IDs are case-sensitive for passwords, so verify that Caps Lock is not on.
If your password is correct but authorization still fails, your Apple ID may have two-factor authentication enabled. When this is active, you may need to use an app-specific password instead of your regular password. You can generate an app-specific password through your Apple ID account settings on Apple's website.
Another reason authorization might fail is if you've already authorized five computers under this Apple ID. In that case, you'll need to deauthorize one of the existing computers first. You can do this through iTunes on any authorized computer, or through your Apple ID account settings online.
How to deauthorize a computer
If you're selling, donating, or no longer using a computer, deauthorizing it frees up one of your five authorization slots. Open iTunes on the computer you want to deauthorize, click Account at the top, then select Authorizations and click Deauthorize This Computer.
Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted, then click Deauthorize. The computer will no longer be able to play iTunes purchases, and your authorization count will drop by one.
If you no longer have access to a computer you previously authorized — for example, if it was lost or stolen — you can deauthorize it remotely through your Apple ID account settings on Apple's website. Sign in to your account, go to Security settings, and look for the option to manage authorized devices. From there, you can deauthorize computers without needing to access them directly.
Understanding the five-computer limit and how it resets
Apple allows each Apple ID to authorize a maximum of five computers. This count includes both Windows PCs and Macs. Once you've authorized five, you cannot authorize a sixth computer until you deauthorize one of the existing five.
The five-computer limit does not reset automatically on a yearly basis. However, if you deauthorize all five computers at once, the count resets to zero, and you can start fresh. This is useful if you've accumulated authorizations over many years and want to clear them all.
Phones and tablets do not count toward this limit — only computers. You can use iTunes purchases on as many iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches as you want without affecting your computer authorization count.
What happens after you authorize
Once a computer is authorized, any music, movies, TV shows, or other content you purchase from the iTunes Store will play on that machine without any additional steps. You won't be prompted to enter your password each time you open a purchased file.
Authorization remains active until you manually deauthorize the computer or until you change your Apple ID password. If you change your password for security reasons, you may need to re-authorize the computer with your new password the next time you try to play purchased content.
If you're sharing a computer with other people, keep in mind that once a computer is authorized, anyone using that computer can play the iTunes purchases associated with that Apple ID. For this reason, only authorize computers you personally control or trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I authorize the same computer twice with different Apple IDs?
Yes. A single computer can be authorized with up to five different Apple IDs. This means multiple people can use the same computer and each person's iTunes purchases will play. Each Apple ID counts as one of that ID's five authorized computers.
What if I forgot which computers I've authorized?
Sign in to your Apple ID account on Apple's website, go to Security settings, and look for the list of authorized devices. You'll see all computers currently authorized under your account. From there, you can deauthorize any device you no longer use.
Do I need to authorize a computer to download purchases?
No. You can download purchases to any computer using your Apple ID. Authorization is only required to actually play or open the content after you've downloaded it.
Will authorizing a computer let other people use my iTunes purchases?
Yes. Once a computer is authorized with your Apple ID, anyone using that computer can play your iTunes purchases. Only authorize computers you own or trust completely.
Can I authorize a computer without iTunes installed?
No. You must have iTunes (or the Music app on newer Macs) installed and open on the computer itself to authorize it. You cannot authorize a computer remotely through a website or another device.