What Authorizing a Computer in iTunes Does

Authorizing a computer in iTunes lets you play music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks you bought from the iTunes Store on that specific machine. When you buy content from iTunes, Apple ties it to your Apple ID. Authorization is the step that links your computer to that Apple ID so the device can decrypt and play the protected files you own.

Without authorization, you can still see the files on your computer, but iTunes will refuse to play them. You can authorize up to five computers at once under a single Apple ID — a limit Apple set to prevent widespread sharing of purchased content. If you need to use a sixth computer, you must deauthorize one of the existing five first.

Authorization is different from signing in. You can be signed into your Apple ID in iTunes without having authorized that computer to play your purchases. The authorization step is what actually grants playback permission.

Key Takeaways

  • You authorize a computer by opening iTunes, going to Account menu, selecting Authorize This Computer, and entering your Apple ID password.
  • Authorization ties your purchased iTunes content to that specific computer and lasts until you manually deauthorize it or sign out of your Apple ID.
  • You can authorize up to five computers under one Apple ID at the same time; authorizing a sixth requires deauthorizing one first.
  • If you sell or give away a computer, deauthorize it before handing it over so your authorization slot is freed up for another machine.

Steps to Authorize Your Computer in iTunes

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. In the menu bar at the top of the window, click Account (on a Mac) or look under the Edit menu (on Windows). From the dropdown, select Authorize This Computer.

A dialog box will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Type in the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID, then enter your password. If you use two-factor authentication on your Apple ID — which Apple now requires for most accounts — you may be asked to verify your identity on another device or enter a verification code sent to your phone. Follow the prompts to complete the verification.

Once you enter your credentials correctly, iTunes will display a confirmation message saying the computer is now authorized. The authorization takes effect when ready. You can now play any iTunes content you own on that computer.

What Happens After Authorization

After you authorize a computer, iTunes remembers that machine as one of your five authorized devices. You do not need to repeat the authorization process every time you open iTunes — it stays active until you manually remove it. Your purchased content will play without asking for your password again.

If you later sign out of your Apple ID on that computer, the authorization remains in place. Signing out and authorizing are separate actions. However, if you change your Apple ID password, you may be asked to authorize the computer again the next time you try to play protected content.

How to Deauthorize a Computer

To free up an authorization slot, go to Account (Mac) or Edit (Windows) in the menu bar, then select Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. iTunes will confirm that the computer is now deauthorized.

Deauthorizing removes that machine from your list of five authorized computers. You can then authorize a different computer in its place. If you are selling or giving away a computer, always deauthorize it before handing it over — this prevents the new owner from playing your purchased content and frees up your authorization slot for future use.

If you forget to deauthorize a computer before losing access to it, you can deauthorize all five computers at once through your Apple ID account settings on Apple's website. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, scroll to the Security section, and look for the option to deauthorize all computers. This resets your authorization count to zero, but you can only do this once per year.

Troubleshooting Authorization Problems

If iTunes says your computer is already authorized but you cannot play your purchases, try signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in. Go to Account or Edit, select Sign Out, wait a few seconds, then sign back in with your Apple ID credentials. This often refreshes the authorization status.

If you see an error message when trying to authorize, check that you are using the correct Apple ID password. Passwords are case-sensitive. If you recently changed your Apple ID password, use the new one. If you are still blocked, try deauthorizing the computer first, then authorizing it again from scratch.

If you have already authorized five computers and need to authorize a sixth, you must deauthorize one of the existing five first. There is no way around this limit. If you cannot remember which computers you authorized, you can deauthorize all five at once through your Apple ID account on the web, then start fresh by authorizing only the computers you currently use.

When You No Longer Need Authorization on a Computer

Deauthorize a computer before you stop using it, especially if you are selling it, recycling it, or giving it to someone else. Leaving it authorized means the new owner could potentially play your iTunes purchases, and you lose one of your five authorization slots.

If you are moving to a new computer, authorize the new one first (you have five slots), then deauthorize the old one when you are ready. This way you never run out of authorization room. If your computer breaks and you cannot access iTunes to deauthorize it, use the deauthorize-all option on Apple's website once per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I authorize the same computer twice?

No. Once a computer is authorized, it counts as one of your five slots. Authorizing it again does nothing — iTunes recognizes it is already authorized. If you want to reset it, deauthorize first, then authorize again.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password?

You cannot authorize without your password. Go to iforgot.apple.com to reset your Apple ID password, then return to iTunes and authorize using the new password. If you use two-factor authentication, you will need access to a trusted device to complete the reset.

Do I need to authorize if I only stream music from Apple Music?

No. Authorization is only required for content you purchased from the iTunes Store. Streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify, and others do not require computer authorization — they work with your account login alone.

Can someone else use my authorized computer to play my iTunes purchases?

Yes. Once a computer is authorized to your Apple ID, anyone using that computer can play your purchased content. If you share a computer with family members, they can play your iTunes purchases without needing their own authorization. If you want to prevent this, deauthorize the computer.

How long does authorization last?

Authorization lasts indefinitely until you manually deauthorize the computer or sign out of your Apple ID. It does not expire after a set number of days or months. However, if you change your Apple ID password, you may need to authorize again.