Authorizing a computer lets iTunes access your purchased music, movies, and TV shows

When you buy content from the iTunes Store, Apple ties it to your Apple ID. To play that content on a computer, iTunes needs to verify that the computer belongs to you — this is called authorization. Without it, you'll see a message asking you to authorize the device before you can play anything you've bought.

You can authorize up to five computers at once under a single Apple ID. Once authorized, anyone using that computer can play your purchased content, even if they log in with a different account. You can deauthorize computers remotely if you sell one or stop using it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open iTunes, go to Account menu, and select Authorize This Computer to link it to your Apple ID.
  • You need your Apple ID and password to authorize — the same login you use for the iTunes Store.
  • One Apple ID can authorize up to five computers, and authorization lasts until you deauthorize the device.
  • If you've already authorized five computers, you must deauthorize one before adding another.
  • Deauthorize a computer before selling it or giving it away to prevent someone else from playing your purchased content.

Steps to authorize a computer in iTunes

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. At the top of the window, click the Account menu (on Windows) or look under the iTunes menu if you're on Mac. Select Authorize This Computer from the dropdown.

A window will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter the same Apple ID you use to buy content from the iTunes Store. Click Authorize. iTunes will connect to Apple's servers to verify your account, then show a confirmation message. Your computer is now authorized and can play all content purchased under that Apple ID.

The authorization process takes only a few seconds if your internet connection is working. If you see an error message, check that you're connected to the internet and that you've entered your Apple ID correctly — including the correct capitalization and any numbers or special characters.

What happens when a computer is authorized

Once authorized, iTunes remembers your Apple ID on that computer. You won't need to enter your password every time you want to play a song or movie you've bought. Any user account on that computer can play your purchased content without needing to know your Apple ID password.

Authorization is tied to the computer itself, not to a specific user account. If you have multiple user accounts on one Mac or Windows PC, they can all access your purchased content once the computer is authorized. This is useful in households where multiple people share a computer.

Authorizing when you see a playback error

If you try to play something you bought and iTunes shows a message like "This computer is not authorized to play protected AAC audio files," authorization is missing. This usually happens after you reinstall iTunes, get a new computer, or restore your system from a backup.

Go through the authorization steps above. If you've already authorized five computers under your Apple ID, you'll need to deauthorize one first — iTunes will tell you this and show you how many computers are currently authorized. After you authorize, the error should disappear and playback will work.

Deauthorizing a computer you no longer use

To deauthorize a computer, open iTunes and go to Account (or iTunes on Mac), then select Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. The computer will no longer be able to play content you've purchased.

If you've sold a computer or no longer have access to it, you can deauthorize it remotely. Go to Account and select View My Account. Sign in with your Apple ID, scroll to the iTunes in the Cloud section, and click Manage Devices. Find the computer in the list and click Remove. This counts as one of your five authorizations again, so you can authorize a different computer.

Apple lets you deauthorize all computers at once once per year. If you need to do this, go to your account settings online, find the Manage Devices section, and select the option to deauthorize all. After that, you'll need to wait a full year before you can do it again.

Troubleshooting authorization problems

If authorization fails, first check that you're connected to the internet. iTunes needs to reach Apple's servers to verify your account. Restart your computer and try again if the connection seems slow or unstable.

Make sure you're using the correct Apple ID. If you've changed your email address or have multiple Apple IDs, double-check which one you used to buy the content. You can only play purchases made with the same Apple ID that authorized the computer.

If you see a message that you've already authorized five computers, you've hit the limit. Deauthorize a computer you no longer use, wait a few minutes, then authorize the new one. If you deauthorized a computer but still can't authorize a new one, sign out of iTunes completely, restart the app, and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to authorize every computer I use?

Yes, if you want to play purchased content on a computer, it must be authorized under your Apple ID. You can authorize up to five computers. If you only use one computer, you only need to authorize that one.

Can someone else play my purchased music on an authorized computer?

Yes. Once a computer is authorized, any user account on that computer can play your purchased content. They don't need your Apple ID password. This is why you should deauthorize a computer before selling it or giving it to someone else.

What if I forgot which computers I've authorized?

Sign into your Apple ID account online, go to Manage Devices or Account Settings, and look for the list of authorized computers. You'll see the computer names and when they were authorized. From there you can remove any you no longer use.

Do I lose my music if I deauthorize a computer?

No. Deauthorizing only removes the computer's permission to play your purchased content. The files stay on the computer, but iTunes won't play them until you authorize again. Your purchases are always tied to your Apple ID account.

Can I authorize a computer without the internet?

No. iTunes must connect to Apple's servers to verify your Apple ID and complete authorization. Make sure you have a working internet connection before you start the process.