Deauthorizing a Computer Removes It From Your iTunes Account
When you deauthorize a computer, you disconnect it from your iTunes account. This means the computer can no longer play protected music, movies, TV shows, or audiobooks you bought through iTunes. You might deauthorize a computer you no longer use, before selling it, or when you've reached the limit of authorized devices on your account (Apple lets you authorize up to five computers at once).
The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on both Mac and Windows. You do it through the iTunes process itself, not through a web browser or your Apple ID settings.
Key Takeaways
- Open iTunes on the computer you want to deauthorize, then go to Account menu and select Deauthorize This Computer.
- You will need to sign in with the Apple ID that authorized the computer in the first place.
- After deauthorizing, that computer cannot play any protected iTunes purchases, even if the files are still stored on it.
- If you forget to deauthorize before selling or giving away a computer, you can deauthorize it remotely through your Apple ID account online.
Steps to Deauthorize on Mac
Open the iTunes process on your Mac. Click the Account menu at the top of the screen, then select Deauthorize This Computer from the dropdown menu. A window will appear asking you to sign in with your Apple ID.
Type in the Apple ID and password that you used to authorize this computer originally. Click the Deauthorize button. iTunes will confirm that the computer has been deauthorized. You can now close iTunes. The computer is no longer linked to your iTunes account.
Steps to Deauthorize on Windows
Open iTunes on your Windows computer. Click the Account menu at the top, then select Deauthorize This Computer. A sign-in window will open.
Enter the Apple ID and password for the account that authorized this computer. Click Deauthorize. iTunes will show a confirmation message. Close the process when you are finished. The computer is now deauthorized.
Deauthorizing a Computer You No Longer Have Access To
If you sold the computer, gave it away, or no longer have it in front of you, you cannot deauthorize it through iTunes directly. Instead, go to appleid.apple.com in a web browser and sign in with your Apple ID.
Click Devices in the left sidebar. You will see a list of all computers and devices authorized to your account. Find the computer you want to remove and click it. Click Remove from Account. The computer is now deauthorized, even though you do not have physical access to it.
This remote deauthorization counts toward your limit of five deauthorizations per year. Apple enforces this limit to prevent people from repeatedly authorizing and deauthorizing computers to work around the five-device cap.
What Happens After You Deauthorize
Once a computer is deauthorized, it cannot play any protected iTunes purchases stored on it. This includes music bought before 2009 (when iTunes began selling DRM-free music), movies, TV shows, and audiobooks. The files remain on the computer's hard drive, but they will not play without authorization.
If you deauthorize by mistake, you can authorize the computer again by opening iTunes, going to Account, and selecting Authorize This Computer. You will sign in with your Apple ID, and the computer will be authorized again. This counts as one of your five authorizations.
Understanding the Five-Authorization Limit
Apple allows you to authorize up to five computers per Apple ID at any given time. This limit exists to prevent sharing protected content across many devices. Once you have five computers authorized, you must deauthorize one before you can authorize a new computer.
The five-deauthorization limit per year is separate. You can deauthorize a computer as many times as you want, but you can only deauthorize all five computers once per year. If you have already deauthorized all five computers this year, you must wait until the year resets to deauthorize more.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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 it does not deauthorize it for iTunes purchases. You must use the Deauthorize This Computer option to fully disconnect the device.
Do not deauthorize a computer remotely if you still plan to use it. Once you deauthorize it through your Apple ID online, you will need to authorize it again in iTunes before you can play protected purchases. If you are selling the computer, deauthorize it through iTunes before you hand it over, so the new owner cannot play your purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deauthorize a computer without the password?
No. You need the Apple ID password that authorized the computer. If you do not remember the password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com. If you no longer have access to the computer, you can deauthorize it remotely through appleid.apple.com without needing the computer itself.
What if I deauthorize all five computers and want to authorize one again?
You can authorize a new computer right away. Deauthorizing does not prevent you from authorizing. However, if you deauthorize all five computers in one year, you cannot deauthorize all five again until the calendar year resets on January 1.
Will deauthorizing delete my iTunes purchases?
No. The music, movies, and shows remain on your computer. Deauthorizing only prevents the computer from playing them. If you want to keep the files, copy them to another authorized computer or an external drive before deauthorizing.
Do I need to deauthorize before selling my computer?
Yes. If you do not deauthorize, the new owner will not be able to play any of your protected iTunes purchases, even though the files are on the computer. Deauthorize through iTunes before you sell, or deauthorize remotely through appleid.apple.com afterward.
Does deauthorizing remove iTunes from my computer?
No. Deauthorizing only disconnects the computer from your iTunes account. The iTunes process stays on the computer. You can uninstall iTunes separately if you want to remove it completely.