What authorizing your computer means

Authorizing your computer on iTunes means telling Apple that this device is allowed to play music, movies, and other content you've bought from the iTunes Store. Without authorization, you won't be able to play purchases on that computer, even if you own them.

When you authorize a computer, you're linking it to your Apple ID. Apple lets you authorize up to five computers at once across all your devices. If you buy a new computer or reinstall your operating system, you'll need to authorize again.

The process takes about two minutes and requires your Apple ID password. You only have to do it once per computer — after that, iTunes remembers the authorization.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization connects your computer to your Apple ID so you can play iTunes purchases on that device.
  • You can authorize up to five computers total, and the authorization stays active until you deauthorize the computer or change your Apple ID password.
  • The authorization process happens in the iTunes app or Music app depending on your operating system version.
  • If you've authorized five computers already, you must deauthorize one before you can authorize a new one.

How to authorize on Windows or older Mac systems

Open iTunes on your computer. In the menu bar at the top of the window, click Account (on Windows) or iTunes (on Mac), then select Authorizations, then click 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 message saying the computer is now authorized, along with the date the authorization will expire (usually one year from that date).

If you don't see the Account or iTunes menu, your version of iTunes may be very old. Update iTunes from Apple's website first, then try again.

How to authorize on newer Mac computers

On Mac computers running macOS Monterey or newer, iTunes was replaced with the Music app. Open the Music app, then click Music in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Account, then click Authorizations, then choose Authorize This Computer.

Enter your Apple ID email and password when prompted, then click Authorize. You'll see a confirmation message with the expiration date of the authorization.

If you're not sure which macOS version you have, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select About This Mac. Look for the version number listed next to "macOS".

What to do if you've already authorized five computers

Apple limits you to five authorized computers at a time. If you try to authorize a sixth computer, you'll get an error message saying you've reached the limit.

To authorize a new computer, you must first deauthorize one of the old ones. Open iTunes or Music on the computer you want to remove, go to Account (or iTunes) > Authorizations, and click Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password. Now you can authorize your new computer.

If you no longer have access to one of your authorized computers — for example, you sold it or it broke — you can deauthorize all five computers at once from any computer. Go to Account > Authorizations and select Deauthorize All. You'll then be able to authorize your current computers one by one.

Why authorization expires and what happens when it does

iTunes authorizations expire one year from the date you authorize the computer. This is Apple's way of making sure you're still using the computer and that your Apple ID hasn't been compromised.

When an authorization expires, you won't be able to play your iTunes purchases on that computer anymore. You'll see an error message if you try. The fix is simple: just authorize the computer again using the same steps above. You can do this as many times as you need.

If you change your Apple ID password for security reasons, all your authorizations are automatically removed. You'll need to re-authorize each computer you use.

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 that you're using the email address connected to your Apple ID, not a different email. If you've forgotten your password, visit iforgot.apple.com to reset it before trying again.

If you're getting an error about reaching the five-computer limit but you're sure you don't have five computers authorized, you may have old authorizations still active. Sign in to appleid.apple.com on any web browser, go to Devices, and look for computers you no longer use. You can remove them from there, which will free up space to authorize a new computer.

If the authorization window won't open at all, make sure you're using the latest version of iTunes or the Music app. On Windows, go to Help > Check for Updates. On Mac, open the App Store and check for updates there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to authorize my computer if I only listen to Apple Music?

No. Apple Music streaming doesn't require authorization. You only need to authorize if you've purchased music, movies, TV shows, or other content from the iTunes Store and want to play those purchases on your computer.

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

No. Each computer can only be authorized with one Apple ID at a time. If you want to switch to a different Apple ID, you must deauthorize the computer first, then authorize it again with the new ID.

What happens if I sell my computer without deauthorizing it?

The new owner will be able to play any iTunes purchases that were made with your Apple ID on that computer, since it's still authorized under your account. To prevent this, deauthorize the computer before you sell it. If you've already sold it, you can deauthorize it remotely by signing into appleid.apple.com, going to Devices, and removing it from your list.

Can I authorize a computer that doesn't have iTunes installed?

No. You need either iTunes (on Windows or older Mac) or the Music app (on newer Mac) installed and running to authorize. On other devices like iPhones or iPads, you don't authorize — you just sign in with your Apple ID in Settings.