What authorizing iTunes means and why you need to do it

Authorizing iTunes on a computer links that computer to your Apple ID, which lets you play music, audiobooks, and video you've bought through the iTunes Store on that device. Without authorization, iTunes will play content you've downloaded from other sources, but it won't play anything you've purchased from Apple — even if you own it outright.

You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID at any given time. If you reach that limit and want to authorize a sixth computer, you'll need to deauthorize one of the others first. This limit exists to prevent the same purchase from being shared across too many devices.

The authorization process is straightforward and takes less than a minute. You'll need your Apple ID and password, and your computer needs an internet connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization links your computer to your Apple ID so you can play purchased iTunes content on that device.
  • You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID, and you'll need to deauthorize an old computer if you want to add a sixth.
  • The authorization process requires your Apple ID and password, and you complete it directly in iTunes or the Music app depending on your operating system.
  • If you sell or give away a computer, deauthorizing it prevents the new owner from accessing your purchased content.

How to authorize on Windows

Open iTunes on your Windows computer. In the menu bar at the top, click Account, then select Authorizations, then Authorize This Computer.

A window will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter both and click Authorize. iTunes will confirm that your computer is now authorized. You're done — you can now play any iTunes purchases linked to that Apple ID on this computer.

How to authorize on Mac

On newer Macs running macOS Catalina or later, iTunes was replaced by the Music app. Open the Music app, then click Music in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Preferences (or Settings on some versions), then click the General tab.

Click Authorize This Computer, enter your Apple ID and password, and click Authorize. The app will confirm the authorization is complete.

On older Macs still running iTunes, the process is the same as Windows: click Account in the menu bar, then Authorizations, then Authorize This Computer.

What to do if you've reached your five-computer limit

If you try to authorize a sixth computer and iTunes tells you that you've hit the limit, you'll need to deauthorize one of your other computers first. You can deauthorize a computer remotely — you don't need physical access to it.

On Windows, go to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer, enter your Apple ID and password, and confirm. On Mac with the Music app, go to Music > Preferences (or Settings) > General and click Deauthorize This Computer.

Once you've deauthorized an old computer, you can then authorize your new one. If you've forgotten which computers you have authorized, you can see a list by visiting appleid.apple.com, signing in with your Apple ID, clicking Devices, and looking at the list of computers and devices linked to your account.

Deauthorizing before you sell or give away a computer

If you're selling, donating, or giving away a computer, deauthorize it before you hand it over. This prevents the new owner from being able to play your iTunes purchases on that machine.

You can deauthorize the computer remotely using the steps above, or you can do it on the computer itself before you pass it along. Either way works. After deauthorization, the new owner can authorize the computer with their own Apple ID if they want to play their own iTunes purchases on it.

Troubleshooting authorization problems

If you see an error message when you try to authorize, the most common cause is an incorrect Apple ID or password. Double-check both and try again. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet — authorization requires an active connection.

If you're still having trouble, try signing out of your Apple ID in iTunes or the Music app, then signing back in. On Windows, go to Account > Sign Out. On Mac with the Music app, go to Music > Preferences (or Settings) > General and click Sign Out. Then sign back in with your Apple ID and password, and try authorizing again.

If you've forgotten your Apple ID password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com. You'll need access to the email address or phone number associated with your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to authorize every computer I own?

Only if you want to play iTunes purchases on that computer. If you only use iTunes to manage your music library or sync to an iPhone, authorization isn't required. You only need it to actually play purchased content.

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

Nothing bad happens, but you're using up one of your five authorization slots. If you later want to authorize a new computer and you've hit the limit, you'll need to deauthorize the old one. You can deauthorize it remotely without touching the computer.

Can someone else use my iTunes purchases on an authorized computer?

Yes. Once a computer is authorized to your Apple ID, anyone who uses that computer can play your iTunes purchases. This is why you should deauthorize a computer before selling it or giving it to someone else.

How often do I need to reauthorize a computer?

Once you authorize a computer, it stays authorized unless you deauthorize it or change your Apple ID password. You don't need to do anything else — authorization is permanent until you remove it.

Can I authorize a computer without an internet connection?

No. Your computer needs to be connected to the internet to complete the authorization process. It checks your Apple ID against Apple's servers to confirm you own that account.