Deauthorize a Computer Through iTunes Settings

To remove a computer from your iTunes account, open iTunes on that computer, then go to Account in the menu bar and select Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. The computer will be deauthorized when ready, and you can then transfer that authorization slot to a different machine.

This method works on both Mac and Windows computers running iTunes. The process takes less than a minute. After deauthorization, you will no longer be able to play any protected content you purchased through iTunes on that computer, though the files themselves remain on the hard drive.

If you no longer have access to the computer—because you sold it, gave it away, or it stopped working—you cannot deauthorize it this way. In that case, you will need to use Apple's web-based deauthorization tool instead.

Key Takeaways

  • You can deauthorize a computer directly through iTunes by going to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer and entering your Apple ID password.
  • Each Apple ID can authorize up to five computers at once, and deauthorizing one frees up that slot for a new machine.
  • If you cannot access the computer itself, sign into your Apple ID on the web at iforgot.apple.com or appleid.apple.com and deauthorize it remotely.
  • After deauthorization, you cannot play purchased music, movies, or TV shows on that computer, even though the files stay on the drive.
  • You can deauthorize all computers at once through your Apple ID settings on the web, though you will have to re-authorize each one individually afterward.

Understanding the Five-Computer Limit

Apple allows each iTunes account to authorize up to five computers at the same time. This limit exists to prevent widespread sharing of purchased content. Once you hit five authorized computers, you must deauthorize one before you can authorize a new machine.

The count includes both Macs and Windows PCs. If you have authorized three Macs and two Windows computers, you are at your limit. Deauthorizing any one of them opens a slot for another computer, regardless of operating system.

This limit resets once per calendar year. If you have deauthorized all five computers and then re-authorized new ones, you cannot deauthorize and re-authorize again until the calendar year changes. This is why it matters to deauthorize machines you no longer use—you may need those slots later in the year.

Deauthorize a Computer You Cannot Access

If the computer is broken, lost, or no longer in your possession, you can deauthorize it remotely through your Apple ID account on the web. Go to iforgot.apple.com or appleid.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID and password, and look for a section labeled Devices or Security (the exact name varies by account type).

Find the computer you want to remove from the list and select the option to deauthorize or remove it. You may be asked to confirm your identity through a verification code sent to a trusted phone number or email address. Once confirmed, the computer is deauthorized and no longer tied to your account.

This process can take a few minutes to process on Apple's servers. If you do not see the change reflected when ready, wait 15 to 30 minutes and refresh the page. The deauthorization will eventually appear in your iTunes settings on other computers as well.

Deauthorize All Computers at Once

If you want to clear your entire authorization list and start fresh, you can deauthorize all five computers simultaneously through your Apple ID settings on the web. Sign into appleid.apple.com, navigate to Devices, and look for an option to deauthorize all computers. Select it and confirm your identity if prompted.

This action removes every computer from your account in one step. You will then have all five authorization slots available again. However, you will need to re-authorize each computer individually the next time you want to use iTunes on it—the system will prompt you to sign in and authorize when you try to play protected content.

Use this option only if you are certain you want to clear everything. There is no undo button. If you deauthorize all computers by mistake, you can re-authorize them one at a time, but you will have to do so manually on each machine.

What Happens After Deauthorization

Once a computer is deauthorized, you can no longer play any music, movies, TV shows, or audiobooks you purchased through iTunes on that machine. The files remain on the hard drive, but iTunes will refuse to open them. If you try to play a protected file, you will see an error message asking you to authorize the computer.

Non-protected content—such as music you ripped from a CD or downloaded from other sources—will still play normally. Only content with digital rights management (DRM) protection requires authorization. Most iTunes Store purchases from recent years have DRM protection, though some music purchased in the last decade may not.

If you deauthorize a computer and then want to use iTunes on it again, you can re-authorize it at any time by going to Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer and signing in with your Apple ID. This counts as one of your five allowed authorizations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not deauthorize a computer if you still plan to use iTunes on it regularly. Once deauthorized, you will lose access to all your purchased content until you re-authorize. If you are straightforward selling or giving away the computer, deauthorize it first so the new owner cannot access your purchases.

Do not assume that signing out of your Apple ID in iTunes is the same as deauthorizing. Signing out removes your account from the computer but does not free up your authorization slot. You must explicitly deauthorize through the Account menu to release that slot for use elsewhere.

Do not wait until you hit your five-computer limit to clean up old authorizations. If you have computers you no longer use, deauthorize them now so you have slots available when you need them. Waiting until you cannot authorize a new machine creates unnecessary frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deauthorize a computer without knowing the password?

No. You must either enter the Apple ID password on the computer itself (through iTunes) or verify your identity through a trusted phone number or email when deauthorizing remotely on the web. There is no way around this security requirement.

How long does it take to deauthorize a computer?

Deauthorizing through iTunes on the computer itself is when ready. Deauthorizing remotely through the web can take 15 to 30 minutes to fully process on Apple's servers, though the action is usually reflected within a few minutes.

If I deauthorize a computer, can I re-authorize it later?

Yes. You can re-authorize the same computer at any time by going to Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer and signing in with your Apple ID. Each re-authorization counts as one of your five allowed slots.

What if I have already deauthorized all five computers this year?

You will have to wait until the calendar year resets (January 1st) to deauthorize and re-authorize computers again. Until then, you can only authorize computers that have not been deauthorized yet this year. Plan your deauthorizations carefully to avoid running out of slots.

Does deauthorizing a computer delete my iTunes files?

No. Deauthorization only prevents you from playing protected content on that computer. All your iTunes files, including music, movies, and shows, remain on the hard drive. You can still see them in iTunes, but you cannot play them until you re-authorize the computer.