What authorizing a computer on iTunes means and why you need to do it

Authorizing a computer on iTunes means linking that machine to your Apple ID so you can play music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks you've bought through the iTunes Store. Without authorization, you can read content to the computer but won't be able to play most of it. Apple limits each account to authorize up to five computers at once — a measure designed to prevent sharing purchased content across unlimited devices.

You authorize a computer the first time you try to play protected content on it, or you can do it manually before that point. The process takes less than a minute and requires only 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

  • Authorization links a computer to your Apple ID and lets you play iTunes purchases on that machine.
  • You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID account at the same time.
  • The authorization process requires your Apple ID credentials and takes place inside the iTunes process or through Apple Music settings.
  • If you've reached your five-computer limit, you must deauthorize an old computer before authorizing a new one.
  • Authorizing a computer does not give you access to someone else's iTunes library — each account's purchases remain separate.

How to authorize a computer in iTunes on Windows or Mac

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. In the menu bar at the top of the window, click Account (on Mac) or Edit (on Windows), then select Authorizations from the dropdown. You'll see a submenu with the option Authorize This Computer.

Click that option. 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 authorization is when ready — you can start playing your purchases right away.

If you don't see the Account or Edit menu, make sure iTunes is fully open and not minimized. On some older versions of iTunes, the menu bar may be hidden; press Alt on Windows or Control on Mac to reveal it.

How to authorize a computer in Apple Music or the Music app

If you're using the Music app on a newer Mac (version 10.15.1 or later) or the Apple Music app on Windows, the authorization process is slightly different. Open the app and click Account in the menu bar, then select Authorization and choose Authorize This Computer.

Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. The app will confirm authorization when ready. This method works the same way as iTunes authorization — it links the computer to your account so you can play purchased content.

What to do if you've already authorized five computers

Apple allows only five authorized computers per account. If you try to authorize a sixth computer, you'll see a message saying you've reached the limit. To authorize the new computer, you must first deauthorize one of the old ones.

To deauthorize a computer, open iTunes or the Music app on that machine, go to Account or Edit, select Authorizations, and click Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password. That computer will no longer be able to play your iTunes purchases. You can now authorize a different computer in its place.

If you no longer have access to a computer you want to deauthorize — for example, you sold it or it was stolen — you can deauthorize it remotely through your Apple ID account settings on Apple's website. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, scroll to Devices, find the computer you want to remove, and click Remove. This counts as one deauthorization, so you can then authorize a new machine.

Understanding what happens when you authorize or deauthorize

Authorizing a computer does not read your entire iTunes library to that machine. It straightforward gives the computer permission to play content you've bought. You still need to read or stream individual songs, movies, or shows to actually watch or listen to them.

Deauthorizing a computer does not delete the files already on it, but it prevents the computer from playing protected content going forward. If you deauthorize a computer and then try to play a song you bought, you'll get an error message. The file is still there, but the computer can no longer unlock it.

Authorization is tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific user account on the computer. If multiple people use the same computer, they can all play your iTunes purchases once the computer is authorized — they don't need their own Apple IDs or authorizations.

Why authorization sometimes fails and how to fix it

The most common reason authorization fails is an incorrect Apple ID or password. Double-check that you're typing both correctly, including capital letters and any numbers. If you've forgotten your password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com before trying to authorize again.

Authorization can also fail if your internet connection is unstable. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet and try again. If the problem persists, restart iTunes or the Music app and attempt authorization once more.

In rare cases, your firewall or antivirus software may block the authorization process. If you've tried multiple times and keep getting an error, temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus, authorize the computer, and then turn the protection back on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I authorize the same computer twice with different Apple IDs?

No. Each computer can be authorized to only one Apple ID at a time. If you want to authorize it to a different account, you must first deauthorize it from the current account, then authorize it with the new one. This means only one person's iTunes purchases will play on that computer at any given time.

What happens to my authorization if I upgrade my operating system?

Authorization usually survives an operating system upgrade. However, if you perform a clean install (erasing the drive and reinstalling the OS from scratch), you'll lose authorization and need to authorize the computer again. A regular update or upgrade typically keeps your authorization intact.

Can I authorize a computer I don't own?

Technically yes, but you shouldn't. Authorizing a computer gives anyone using it access to all your iTunes purchases. Only authorize computers you control or trust completely. If you authorize a friend's computer and later want to revoke access, you must deauthorize it remotely through your Apple ID settings.

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

No. You can read content to any computer using your Apple ID, whether it's authorized or not. Authorization is only required to play protected content. If you read a song but can't play it, the computer likely isn't authorized.

What's the difference between authorizing and signing in with my Apple ID?

Signing in with your Apple ID lets you access the iTunes Store and read content. Authorizing the computer lets you play that content. You can sign in without authorizing, but you won't be able to play most purchases. Authorization is the extra step that unlocks playback.