What authorizing an iTunes computer means

Authorizing a computer for iTunes means telling Apple that this specific device is allowed to play music, movies, and other content you bought through your iTunes account. When you buy something from iTunes, Apple attaches it to your account. Without authorization, you can buy and download on that computer, but you cannot actually play most of what you own.

You can authorize up to five computers at once under a single Apple ID. If you try to play iTunes content on a sixth computer, you will get a message saying the computer is not authorized. This limit exists to prevent people from sharing purchased content too widely.

Authorization is different from signing in. You can be signed into your Apple ID on a computer without that computer being authorized to play your purchases. The authorization step is what unlocks playback.

Key Takeaways

  • Open iTunes, go to Account menu, and select Authorize This Computer to authorize in one step.
  • You need your Apple ID and password to authorize, and the computer must be connected to the internet.
  • Each Apple ID can authorize up to five computers, and you can deauthorize old computers from the same Account menu.
  • If you forget which computers are authorized, you can check your account settings and deauthorize all of them at once, then re-authorize the ones you actually use.

How to authorize a computer in iTunes

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click Account. From the dropdown menu, select 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. The computer is now authorized, and you should see a message confirming this. You can now play any iTunes content you own on this computer.

If you do not see an Account menu, you may be using a newer version of iTunes or a different Apple media app. On newer Macs, the menu is often under the app name itself (for example, Music instead of iTunes). Look for Account or Settings in the top menu bar.

What to do if authorization fails

If you get an error message during authorization, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Double-check that you are using the correct Apple ID email and password. If you are not sure of your password, go to iforgot.apple.com on any web browser and reset it before trying again.

Another common issue is that your internet connection dropped during authorization. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet, then try the authorization process again.

If you see a message saying you have already authorized five computers, you have hit the limit. You will need to deauthorize one of your other computers first. See the next section for how to do this.

How to deauthorize a computer

If you want to authorize a new computer but have already authorized five, you need to deauthorize one first. Open iTunes on any authorized computer, click Account in the menu bar, and select Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted, then click Deauthorize. That computer is now deauthorized and no longer counts toward your limit of five.

If you have a computer you no longer use or cannot access, you can deauthorize all five computers at once from your Apple account online. Go to appleid.apple.com in a web browser, sign in with your Apple ID, and look for the section about authorized devices or computers. You should see an option to deauthorize all. After you do this, all five of your authorization slots open up, and you can re-authorize the computers you actually use.

Deauthorizing a computer does not delete your iTunes purchases. It only means that computer can no longer play them. If you re-authorize that computer later, you will be able to play your content again.

When you need to re-authorize after updating

Sometimes after you update iTunes or your operating system, your computer may lose its authorization. If you try to play something and get a message saying the computer is not authorized, simply go through the authorization process again using the steps above. You will not lose any of your purchases.

If you update your Apple ID password, your authorized computers will continue to work. You do not need to re-authorize them. However, if you change your Apple ID email address, you may need to re-authorize to make sure everything syncs correctly.

Authorizing on a Mac versus a Windows PC

The authorization process is the same on both Mac and Windows computers. Open iTunes, find the Account menu in the menu bar, and select Authorize This Computer. The steps and screens look nearly identical on both systems.

On a Mac, the menu bar appears at the very top of the screen. On a Windows PC, the menu bar is usually just below the title bar of the iTunes window. If you do not see a menu bar on Windows, right-click near the top of the iTunes window to make it appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I authorize the same computer twice?

No. Once a computer is authorized under your Apple ID, authorizing it again does nothing. If you want to change which Apple ID a computer is authorized under, you must first deauthorize it, then authorize it again with the different Apple ID.

What happens if I sell my computer without deauthorizing it?

Your authorization will remain on that computer, and it will still count toward your limit of five. The new owner will not be able to play your iTunes purchases without your Apple ID, but you should deauthorize it anyway to free up that slot for a computer you actually use. You can deauthorize it remotely through your Apple ID account online.

Do I need to authorize my iPhone or iPad for iTunes?

No. iPhones and iPads do not need to be authorized the same way computers do. However, you do need to sign into your Apple ID on your device to download and play iTunes content. The authorization system applies only to computers running iTunes.

Can I authorize a computer without internet?

No. Your computer must be connected to the internet to authorize. iTunes needs to contact Apple's servers to register your authorization. If your internet is down, wait until you have a connection and try again.

How do I know which computers I have authorized?

Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and look for a section about devices or computers. You will see a list of all authorized computers linked to your Apple ID. This is also where you can deauthorize all five at once if needed.