What authorizing a computer on iTunes means

Authorizing a computer on iTunes means telling Apple that this particular device is allowed to play music, movies, TV shows, and other content you've bought from the iTunes Store. When you buy something from iTunes, Apple ties it to your Apple ID. If you want to play that content on a different computer, you have to authorize that computer first using the same Apple ID.

You can authorize up to five computers at once under a single Apple ID. Once a computer is authorized, anyone using that computer can play your iTunes purchases without needing your password every time. If you sell the computer or stop using it, you should deauthorize it so the authorization slot opens up for a new device.

Key Takeaways

  • You authorize a computer by opening iTunes, signing in with your Apple ID, and selecting Authorize This Computer from the Account menu.
  • You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID, and you need to do this only once per computer.
  • Deauthorizing a computer removes it from your list and frees up that authorization slot for a different device.
  • If you forget to deauthorize a computer before selling or giving it away, you can deauthorize all computers at once from your Apple ID account settings online.

How to authorize a computer in iTunes on Windows or Mac

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. If you don't have iTunes installed, read it from Apple's website first. Once iTunes is open, look at the top menu bar. On a Mac, click Account. On Windows, click Edit, then look for Preferences, then find the Store tab.

Sign in with your Apple ID if you're not already signed in. iTunes will ask for the email address and password associated with your Apple ID—the same one you use to buy content from the iTunes Store. After you enter your credentials, look for the option that says Authorize This Computer and click it. iTunes will confirm that the computer is now authorized, and you're done.

The authorization stays in place until you deauthorize the computer or until your authorization expires (which can happen if you change your Apple ID password). You won't need to repeat this process on that computer unless you deauthorize it later.

Deauthorizing a computer you no longer use

If you're selling a computer, giving it away, or straightforward want to free up an authorization slot, deauthorize it first. Open iTunes, go to Account (Mac) or Edit > Preferences > Store (Windows), and look for Deauthorize This Computer. Click it and enter your Apple ID password when prompted. The computer is now deauthorized and no longer tied to your account.

If you've already sold the computer or no longer have access to it, you can deauthorize it remotely. Visit Apple's website, sign in to your Apple ID account, go to Devices, find the computer in the list, and select Remove. This deauthorizes the computer without needing to touch it.

What happens if you authorize too many computers

You can authorize up to five computers under one Apple ID. If you try to authorize a sixth computer, iTunes will tell you that you've reached your limit and won't let you authorize the new one until you deauthorize an old one first. This limit exists to prevent people from sharing iTunes purchases across too many devices.

If you've lost track of which computers you've authorized, you can see the full list by signing into your Apple ID account on Apple's website and checking the Devices section. From there you can remove any computer you no longer use, which will free up a slot for a new authorization.

Troubleshooting authorization problems

If iTunes won't let you authorize a computer, the most common reason is that you're not signed in with the correct Apple ID. Make sure you're using the same Apple ID that purchased the content you want to play. If you've recently changed your Apple ID password, sign out of iTunes completely, then sign back in with your new password.

If you see an error message when trying to authorize, check your internet connection—authorization requires a working connection to Apple's servers. Restart iTunes and try again. If the problem continues, restart the computer itself. If you still can't authorize after that, contact Apple Support, as there may be an issue with your account that needs to be looked at by someone with access to Apple's systems.

Authorization and family sharing

If you use Family Sharing, the rules are slightly different. Family Sharing lets multiple people in your household buy and share content under separate Apple IDs. Each person's purchases are tied to their own ID, but they can all play each other's content on authorized computers. You still authorize computers the same way—by signing in with your own Apple ID and selecting Authorize This Computer—but now family members can also play your purchases on that computer without needing their own authorization.

Keep in mind that only the person who bought the content can authorize computers for it. If a family member bought something and you want to play it on your computer, they need to authorize your computer using their Apple ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to authorize every computer I own?

Only if you want to play iTunes purchases on it. If you only use a computer to buy things or manage your library but never actually play purchased content on it, you don't need to authorize it. Authorization is required only to play protected content you've bought.

What happens to my authorization if I change my Apple ID password?

Your authorization stays in place, but iTunes may ask you to sign in again with your new password the next time you try to play purchased content. Once you sign in with the new password, everything works normally. You don't need to re-authorize the computer.

Can I authorize a computer that someone else owns?

Yes, but only if you sign in with your own Apple ID on that computer. Anyone using that computer can then play your iTunes purchases. This is common in households where people share a computer but have separate Apple IDs.

How do I know if a computer is already authorized?

Open iTunes and go to Account (Mac) or Edit > Preferences > Store (Windows). If you see "Deauthorize This Computer," the computer is already authorized. If you see "Authorize This Computer," it isn't.