What authorizing a computer for iTunes means

Authorizing a computer for iTunes means linking your Apple ID to that specific machine so you can play music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks you've bought from the iTunes Store. Without authorization, you can read purchases to the computer but cannot actually play them. Apple limits you to five authorized computers at once — a restriction meant to prevent sharing purchases across too many devices.

The authorization process takes about two minutes and requires your Apple ID and password. Once authorized, anyone using that computer can play your iTunes purchases, so treat authorization like giving someone a key to your media library.

Key Takeaways

  • You authorize a computer by opening iTunes, going to Account menu, selecting Authorize This Computer, and entering your Apple ID and password.
  • One Apple ID can authorize up to five computers, and you can deauthorize computers remotely from your Apple ID account page if you no longer use them.
  • If you've reached your five-computer limit, you must deauthorize an old computer before authorizing a new one.
  • Authorization is tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific user account on the computer, so all users on that machine can access your iTunes purchases once it's authorized.

Steps to authorize a computer in iTunes

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. Click the Account menu at the top of the window (on Windows, this appears in the menu bar; on Mac, it's in the top menu). Select Authorize This Computer from the dropdown.

A dialog box will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter both and click Authorize. iTunes will confirm that the computer is now authorized and show you how many computers you have authorized in total. The process is complete — you can now play any iTunes purchases linked to that Apple ID on this machine.

If you don't see an Authorize This Computer option, the computer may already be authorized under a different Apple ID. In that case, click Account, then Deauthorize This Computer, enter that Apple ID's credentials, and then repeat the authorization process with your own Apple ID.

What happens when you reach five authorized computers

Apple's five-computer limit is a hard cap. If you try to authorize a sixth computer, iTunes will tell you that you've reached your limit and won't let you proceed. You must deauthorize one of your existing computers first.

The most common reason people hit this limit is upgrading computers over time — an old laptop, a desktop, a new laptop, a work machine, and a home machine can add up quickly. If you no longer use one of those machines, deauthorizing it frees up a slot for a new one.

How to deauthorize a computer

If you want to remove authorization from a computer you no longer use, you have two options. The easiest is to do it remotely without touching that machine.

Go to appleid.apple.com in a web browser and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Devices, find the computer you want to deauthorize, and select Remove. That computer will lose access to your iTunes purchases when ready. This method works even if the computer is broken, sold, or no longer in your possession.

If you still have access to the computer itself, you can deauthorize it directly: open iTunes, click Account, select Deauthorize This Computer, enter your Apple ID and password, and click Deauthorize. This has the same effect as removing it remotely.

Why authorization matters for shared computers

If multiple people use the same computer, authorization is tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific user account on that machine. This means once you authorize the computer, anyone logged into any user account on it can play your iTunes purchases. This is useful if you want family members to access your library, but it also means you're sharing access with everyone who uses that computer.

If you share a computer with someone and want to keep your purchases private, do not authorize it. You can still read purchases to the computer, but you'll need to enter your Apple ID password each time you want to play something, and only you can do that.

Troubleshooting authorization problems

If iTunes won't let you authorize a computer, the most common cause is that you've already authorized five machines. Check your device list at appleid.apple.com and deauthorize one you no longer need.

If you see an error message during authorization, make sure your Apple ID and password are correct — they're case-sensitive. Also check that you have an active internet connection; authorization requires contacting Apple's servers. If the error persists, try signing out of iTunes (Account menu, Sign Out), closing the app completely, reopening it, and trying again.

If you've forgotten which Apple ID authorized a computer, open iTunes and look at the Account menu. If you see Deauthorize This Computer, the computer is already authorized. Click it to see which Apple ID is in use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I authorize the same computer with multiple Apple IDs?

No. A computer can be authorized with only 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. This means only purchases from one Apple ID will play on that machine.

What happens to my iTunes purchases if I deauthorize a computer?

The purchases themselves stay on the computer — the files don't disappear. You straightforward won't be able to play them. If you later re-authorize the computer with the same Apple ID, you'll be able to play them again.

Do I need to authorize a computer to read iTunes purchases?

No. You can read purchases to any computer using your Apple ID. Authorization is only required to play them. This is why you might see a read succeed but then get an error when you try to open the file.

Can I authorize a computer that's not mine?

Yes, but understand that once authorized, anyone using that computer can play your iTunes purchases. Only authorize computers you trust or own. If you later want to revoke access, deauthorize it remotely from appleid.apple.com.

How long does authorization last?

Authorization lasts indefinitely until you deauthorize the computer. You don't need to renew it or re-enter your password periodically. The only time authorization ends automatically is if Apple detects suspicious activity on your account, in which case they may deauthorize all your computers as a security measure.