Deauthorize a Computer Through iTunes Settings

To remove a computer from your iTunes account, open iTunes on that computer, click Account in the menu bar (or Edit > Preferences on Windows), then select Authorizations and click Deauthorize This Computer. You will need to enter your Apple ID and password. Once you confirm, that computer loses access to any music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks you purchased with that account.

This process takes about 30 seconds and works on both Mac and Windows computers running iTunes. The deauthorization happens when ready — you do not need to restart the computer or close iTunes afterward. If you forget to deauthorize before selling or giving away a computer, you can still remove it remotely through your Apple account settings online.

Key Takeaways

  • You can deauthorize a computer directly through iTunes by going to Account > Authorizations and clicking Deauthorize This Computer.
  • You need your Apple ID and password to complete the deauthorization.
  • If you no longer have access to the computer, you can deauthorize it remotely through your Apple ID account on the web.
  • Apple allows you to authorize up to five computers per account, and deauthorizing frees up one of those slots.
  • Deauthorizing removes access to purchased content but does not delete files already downloaded to that computer.

Deauthorize a Computer You No Longer Have Access To

If you sold the computer, it was stolen, or you straightforward cannot access it anymore, you can deauthorize it from any web browser. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and click Devices in the left menu. Find the computer you want to remove and click the X button next to it, then confirm the removal.

This remote deauthorization works even if the computer is powered off or no longer connected to the internet. It takes effect when ready on Apple's servers. The next time someone tries to play purchased content on that computer using your account, they will be prompted to authorize it again — and they will not be able to without your Apple ID credentials.

Understanding the Five-Computer Limit

Apple allows you to authorize up to five computers per iTunes account at any one time. This limit exists to prevent widespread sharing of purchased content. Once you hit five authorized computers, you cannot authorize a new one until you deauthorize an old one.

The count includes both Mac and Windows computers — it does not matter which operating system you use. If you have authorized five computers and try to authorize a sixth, iTunes will tell you that you have reached the limit and ask you to deauthorize one first. This is why deauthorizing old computers before you upgrade or replace them is useful.

What Happens After You Deauthorize

After deauthorization, you can no longer play music, movies, TV shows, or audiobooks that you purchased on that computer — even if the files are still sitting on the hard drive. If you try to open a protected file, iTunes will ask you to authorize the computer again using your Apple ID.

Files you ripped from CDs or downloaded from other sources are not affected. Only content purchased through the iTunes Store is protected by authorization. If you deauthorize by mistake, you can authorize the computer again when ready by going back to Account > Authorizations and clicking Authorize This Computer.

Deauthorizing All Computers at Once

If you want to deauthorize every computer linked to your account in one action, you can do this through your Apple ID settings on the web. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Devices, and look for the option to Deauthorize All or remove all devices. This is useful if you have lost track of which computers you have authorized or if you are concerned about account security.

After you deauthorize all computers, you will need to re-authorize each one individually before you can play purchased content on it. This process takes a few minutes per computer but gives you a clean slate if you have moved or upgraded many devices over the years.

Troubleshooting Deauthorization Problems

If you see an error message when trying to deauthorize, make sure you are signed into iTunes with the correct Apple ID — the same one you used to purchase the content. If you have changed your Apple ID password recently, sign out of iTunes completely, then sign back in with your current password before trying again.

If the Deauthorize This Computer option is grayed out or missing, your computer may not be authorized in the first place. Check the Account menu again — if you see Authorize This Computer instead, the computer is already deauthorized. If you still cannot deauthorize after signing in with the correct credentials, restart iTunes and try once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my purchased music if I deauthorize a computer?

The files remain on your hard drive, but you cannot play them on that computer without re-authorizing it first. If you have downloaded the files to another authorized computer, you can still play them there. Deauthorizing only removes playback permission on that specific machine.

Can I deauthorize a computer without the Apple ID password?

No. You must enter your Apple ID and password to deauthorize a computer through iTunes. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com before attempting deauthorization. The remote deauthorization through appleid.apple.com also requires your Apple ID credentials.

How long does deauthorization take?

Deauthorization through iTunes is when ready — it takes effect as soon as you click the confirmation button. Remote deauthorization through appleid.apple.com also happens when ready. You do not need to wait for an email confirmation or restart any devices.

What if I deauthorize a computer and then want to use it again?

You can authorize it again at any time by opening iTunes, going to Account > Authorizations, and clicking Authorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password, and the computer will be re-authorized. This counts as one of your five allowed authorizations.

Can I authorize a computer on someone else's account and then deauthorize it?

Yes. If a computer is authorized under a different Apple ID, you can deauthorize it using that account's credentials. You will need access to that account's password. If you do not have it, you can contact Apple Support for help removing the authorization.