What iTunes authorization does and why you need it

iTunes authorization is Apple's way of letting you play music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks you've bought on multiple devices without sharing your password with each one. When you authorize a device, you're telling Apple that this particular Mac or PC is allowed to play your purchases using your Apple ID. You can authorize up to five computers at once, and you can deauthorize devices whenever you want — if you sell a computer, give one away, or just want to free up a slot.

Without authorization, you can still download your purchases to a device, but you won't be able to play them. The authorization is tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific person, so anyone using that computer can play your content once it's authorized.

Key Takeaways

  • You can authorize up to five computers to play content you've bought through iTunes using your Apple ID.
  • Authorization happens in the iTunes or Music app on Mac and Windows, or through System Settings on newer Macs.
  • You'll need your Apple ID and password to authorize a device the first time.
  • Deauthorizing a device removes its access to your purchases and frees up one of your five slots.
  • If you've lost access to all five authorized computers, you can deauthorize all of them at once through your Apple ID account online.

How to authorize a computer on Windows or older Mac

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. In the menu bar at the top of the window, click Account (on Windows) or iTunes (on Mac), then select Authorizations, then Authorize This Computer. A window will appear asking for your Apple ID and password.

Type in the Apple ID and password you use for your iTunes purchases. If you've turned on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID — which Apple recommends — you'll also need to enter the six-digit code that appears on one of your trusted devices. Once you enter everything correctly, the computer is authorized and you can play your purchases immediately.

You'll see a confirmation message telling you how many computers you've now authorized out of your five-device limit. If you've already authorized five computers and try to authorize a sixth, iTunes will ask you to deauthorize one first.

How to authorize on Mac with the Music app (macOS 10.15.1 and newer)

If you're using a newer Mac, you won't find iTunes — Apple replaced it with the Music app. Open Music from your Applications folder. In the menu bar, click Music, then Account, then Authorizations, then Authorize This Computer. The process is the same: enter your Apple ID and password, plus your two-factor code if you have it set up.

On the newest Macs (macOS 11 Big Sur and later), you may also be able to authorize through System Settings instead. Go to System Settings > General > Apple ID, then look for an option related to media or iTunes purchases. The exact location varies depending on your macOS version, so if you don't see it, use the Music app method instead.

How to deauthorize a computer

If you're selling a computer, giving it away, or just want to free up one of your five authorization slots, you can deauthorize it from that same computer. Open iTunes or Music, go to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer, then enter your Apple ID and password. The computer will no longer be able to play your iTunes purchases.

You can also deauthorize a computer remotely — without having access to it — through your Apple ID account online. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, scroll to Media & Purchases, and click Manage. You'll see a list of all your authorized computers. Click the X next to any computer to deauthorize it from anywhere.

What to do if you've authorized five computers and need to add another

You're limited to five authorized computers at a time. If you try to authorize a sixth, iTunes will tell you that you've reached your limit and ask you to deauthorize one first. The easiest approach is to deauthorize the computer you no longer use — either from that computer itself (if you still have access) or remotely through your Apple ID account online.

Once you've deauthorized one computer, you can immediately authorize the new one. There's no waiting period between deauthorizing and authorizing.

How to deauthorize all your computers at once

If you've lost access to most or all of your authorized computers — for example, if you've replaced your entire setup — you can reset all five authorizations at once through your Apple ID account. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and find Media & Purchases. Click Manage and look for an option to deauthorize all computers. Apple limits you to doing this once per year, so use it carefully.

After you deauthorize all computers, you'll be back to zero authorizations and can start fresh. You can then authorize your current devices one by one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to authorize my iPhone or iPad to play iTunes purchases?

No. iPhones and iPads use a different system — they play your purchases as long as you're signed into the same Apple ID in Settings. Computer authorization only applies to Macs and Windows PCs.

What happens if I use iTunes on a computer that isn't authorized?

You can download your purchases to the computer, but you won't be able to play them. You'll see a message saying the computer isn't authorized. Authorize it using your Apple ID and password, and you'll be able to play everything immediately.

Can someone else use my authorized computer to play my iTunes purchases?

Yes. Once a computer is authorized with your Apple ID, anyone using that computer can play your purchases. This is by design — it's meant for families or people sharing a household computer. If you're concerned about privacy, deauthorize the computer when you no longer want others to access your content.

If I change my Apple ID password, do I need to re-authorize my computers?

No. Authorization is tied to your Apple ID account, not your password. Changing your password won't affect which computers are authorized. However, the next time you try to download a new purchase on an authorized computer, iTunes may ask you to sign in again with your new password.

Can I authorize the same computer twice with two different Apple IDs?

No. Each computer can only be authorized once, but that authorization is for your entire Apple ID account. If you want to play purchases from a different Apple ID on the same computer, you'll need to deauthorize it first, then authorize it with the other Apple ID.