What authorizing your computer does

Authorizing your computer in iTunes lets you play music, movies, and TV shows you bought from the iTunes Store on that specific device. Without authorization, you'll see a message asking you to authorize when you try to play protected content. Apple limits each account to authorize up to five computers at once — this is to prevent the same purchase from being shared across unlimited devices.

When you authorize a computer, you're telling Apple that this device belongs to you and is allowed to use your iTunes purchases. The process takes less than a minute and requires your Apple ID and password. You only need to do this once per computer, unless you later deauthorize it or sign out of your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization connects your Apple ID to a specific computer so you can play iTunes purchases on that device.
  • You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID account at the same time.
  • The authorization process requires your Apple ID and password and takes about one minute.
  • If you sell or give away a computer, you should deauthorize it first to free up one of your five authorization slots.

How to authorize a computer on Windows

Open iTunes on your Windows computer. If you don't have iTunes installed, download it from the Microsoft Store or from Apple's website. Once iTunes is open, look at the top menu bar — you should see File, Edit, View, and other options.

Click on Account in the top menu. A dropdown will appear with several choices. Select Authorize This Computer. A window will pop up asking for your Apple ID and password. Type in the email address associated with your Apple ID, then enter your password. Click Authorize. You should see a confirmation message saying your computer has been authorized. That's it — you're done.

How to authorize a computer on Mac

Open iTunes from your Applications folder or by clicking the Launchpad icon. At the top of your screen, you'll see the menu bar with Apple, Finder, File, and other options. Click on Account in that menu bar.

From the dropdown, select Authorize This Computer. A dialog box will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter the email address for your Apple ID and your password, then click Authorize. You'll see a message confirming that your computer is now authorized. You can now play your iTunes purchases on this Mac.

What to do if you see an authorization error

If you get an error message when trying to authorize, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Make sure you're using the correct password for the Apple ID associated with your iTunes purchases. If you're not sure of your password, go to iforgot.apple.com and reset it before trying to authorize again.

Another reason authorization might fail is if you've already authorized five computers on that Apple ID. You can only have five computers authorized at once. If this is the case, you'll need to deauthorize a computer you no longer use. Go to Account > Deauthorize This Computer on one of your other authorized computers, enter your Apple ID and password, and then try authorizing the new computer.

If you're still having trouble, make sure your internet connection is working and try again. Authorization requires a live connection to Apple's servers. Restart iTunes and attempt the authorization process once more.

How to deauthorize a computer

Deauthorizing removes your Apple ID from a computer, which frees up one of your five authorization slots. You should do this before selling, giving away, or recycling a computer. Open iTunes, click Account in the menu bar, and select Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted, and click Deauthorize.

If you no longer have access to a computer you previously authorized — for example, if it was stolen or you can't find it — you can deauthorize it remotely. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, scroll down to the Devices section, find the computer you want to remove, and click the X next to it. This removes the authorization without needing the physical computer.

Why you might need to reauthorize

Sometimes you'll need to authorize a computer again even though you've already done it. This usually happens after you update iTunes to a new version, reset your computer, or change your Apple ID password. If you see an authorization prompt when trying to play a purchase, simply go through the authorization steps again with your current Apple ID and password.

If you change your Apple ID password for security reasons, all your authorized computers will still work, but you may be asked to authorize again the next time you try to play protected content. This is normal and is a security measure to confirm you still have access to that Apple ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I authorize the same computer twice?

No. Once a computer is authorized with your Apple ID, it stays authorized until you deauthorize it. You don't need to authorize it again unless you've deauthorized it or changed your password.

What happens if I authorize a computer and then forget the password?

You can still play your iTunes purchases on that computer. Authorization stays active even if you forget your password later. However, if you deauthorize the computer or sign out of your account, you'll need your password to authorize it again.

Can someone else use my iTunes purchases if I authorize their computer?

No. Authorization is tied to your Apple ID, not to the computer itself. Only your account can play the purchases you bought, even on an authorized computer. If someone else uses that computer with a different Apple ID, they won't be able to play your content.

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 protected music, movies, and TV shows after you've downloaded them.

What if I've authorized five computers and need to authorize a sixth?

You'll need to deauthorize one of the five first. Choose a computer you no longer use or no longer have access to, deauthorize it, and then you can authorize the new computer. You can deauthorize remotely through your Apple ID account settings if you don't have physical access to the old computer.