Deauthorize a Computer Through iTunes on That Computer

The fastest way to remove a computer from your iTunes account is to open iTunes on that same computer and use the built-in deauthorization option. This tells Apple's servers that the computer no longer has permission to play your purchased content, and it frees up one of your five authorized devices.

Open iTunes on the computer you want to remove. Click the Account menu at the top of the window (on Windows, this may appear under Edit instead). Select Authorizations, then choose Deauthorize This Computer. A dialog box will ask you to confirm—click Deauthorize again. You will see a message saying the computer has been deauthorized. That's it. The process takes about 30 seconds.

You will need your Apple ID and password to complete this step. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it through Apple's account recovery page before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • The easiest method is to deauthorize directly from iTunes on that computer using the Account menu, which takes less than a minute.
  • If you no longer have access to the computer, you can deauthorize all computers at once through your Apple ID account settings on Apple's website, but this resets your entire authorization count to zero.
  • Apple allows you to authorize up to five computers at once; deauthorizing one frees up a slot for a new device.
  • Deauthorizing does not delete your purchases or account information—it only removes that computer's permission to play your content without an internet connection.

Deauthorize All Computers at Once Through Your Apple ID

If you have lost access to a computer, sold it, or cannot reach it, you can deauthorize every computer linked to your account through Apple's website. This is a nuclear option—it removes authorization from all five slots at once—but it is sometimes the only way forward.

Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Devices in the left sidebar. Find the computer you want to remove and click the X next to it, or select it and click Remove from Account. If you want to deauthorize all computers at once, scroll down to iTunes in the Cloud or Media & Purchases and look for an option to deauthorize all computers. The exact wording changes depending on your account type and region.

After you deauthorize all computers, you will need to re-authorize each computer you still use. Open iTunes on each one, sign in with your Apple ID, and the authorization will happen automatically—or you can manually authorize it through the Account menu again.

Why You Might Need to Deauthorize a Computer

Apple limits you to five authorized computers per account. Once you hit that limit, you cannot authorize a new device until you deauthorize an old one. This is why you might need to remove a computer: you have upgraded to a new machine, sold an old one, or shared your account with someone who no longer needs access.

Deauthorizing also protects your account security. If a computer has been compromised or stolen, removing it prevents anyone else from using your purchases on that device. It does not delete your content from the computer itself—it only removes the digital permission to play protected content.

You can deauthorize a computer once every 90 days. If you deauthorize and then when ready re-authorize the same computer, you will have to wait three months before you can deauthorize it again. Plan ahead if you think you might need to swap computers frequently.

What Happens After You Deauthorize

Once a computer is deauthorized, it can no longer play music, videos, or audiobooks you purchased through iTunes without an active internet connection. If someone tries to open a protected file, iTunes will ask them to authorize the computer with an Apple ID—but they will not be able to do so unless they have the correct credentials.

Your purchases remain in your iTunes library on that computer, but they become locked. The files do not disappear; they just cannot play. If you re-authorize the computer later with the same Apple ID, everything will work again when ready.

Deauthorizing on a Mac Versus Windows

The steps are almost identical on both operating systems. On a Mac, open iTunes and click Account at the top menu bar, then Authorizations, then Deauthorize This Computer. On Windows, the Account menu is usually under Edit at the top of the window. The dialog boxes and confirmations look the same on both platforms.

If you are using a newer Mac with Apple Music or the Music app instead of iTunes, the process is slightly different. Open the Music app, click Account at the top, then Authorizations, then Deauthorize This Computer. The steps are otherwise identical.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not deauthorize all computers unless you absolutely have to. This action resets your entire authorization count and can be inconvenient if you use iTunes on multiple devices. If you only need to remove one computer, deauthorize just that one through the method described in the first section.

Do not assume that signing out of your Apple ID deauthorizes the computer. Signing out and deauthorizing are two separate actions. You can be signed out but still authorized, which means someone else could sign in and play your content. Always use the deauthorization option in the Account menu to be sure.

Do not forget that you can only deauthorize the same computer once every 90 days. If you deauthorize by mistake, you will have to wait three months before you can deauthorize it again. If you need to re-authorize it when ready, you can do so, but you will be locked out of deauthorizing it again until the 90-day window passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deauthorize a computer I no longer own?

If you still have access to the computer, yes—use the Account menu in iTunes. If you do not have physical access, you can deauthorize all computers through your Apple ID account settings on appleid.apple.com, though this removes authorization from all five slots at once. You will then need to re-authorize each computer you still use.

How many computers can I authorize at the same time?

You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID account. This includes both Macs and Windows PCs. Once you reach five, you must deauthorize one before you can authorize another.

Will deauthorizing delete my music or purchases?

No. Deauthorizing removes permission to play protected content, but the files remain on your computer. If you re-authorize the same computer later, everything will work again. Your purchases stay in your iTunes account forever.

What if I deauthorized by mistake?

You can re-authorize the computer when ready by opening iTunes, going to Account, and signing in with your Apple ID. The authorization will happen automatically. However, you cannot deauthorize that same computer again for 90 days.

Do I need to deauthorize before selling my computer?

Yes. Deauthorizing prevents the new owner from playing your purchased content without their own Apple ID. It is a good security practice before you hand over any device that has been linked to your account.