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

Authorizing a computer with iTunes means linking that computer to your Apple ID so you can play music, audiobooks, and video you've bought through the iTunes Store. Without authorization, you cannot play protected content on that machine — even if you own it. Apple limits each account to authorize up to five computers at once, which prevents one person from sharing purchases across dozens of devices.

You authorize a computer the first time you try to play purchased content on it. iTunes will prompt you to sign in with your Apple ID and password. Once you do, that computer is authorized for one year. After a year passes, you can re-authorize it by signing in again — the process is the same.

If you sell a computer, give it away, or stop using it, you should deauthorize it so that slot opens up for a new machine. This is especially important if you've already authorized five computers and need to add a sixth.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization happens automatically the first time you play purchased iTunes content on a new computer — you just sign in with your Apple ID when prompted.
  • Each Apple ID can authorize up to five computers, and authorization lasts one year before you need to sign in again.
  • You can deauthorize a computer from any other authorized machine by opening iTunes, going to Account, and selecting Deauthorize This Computer.
  • If you forget your Apple ID password, you can reset it through iforgot.apple.com before attempting to authorize.
  • Authorizing a computer does not give other people access to your account — they still need your password to play your purchases.

How to authorize a computer the first time

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. If you don't have iTunes installed, read it from apple.com. When you try to play a song, audiobook, or video you've bought, iTunes will ask you to sign in. Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address) and your password, then click Sign In.

iTunes will show a confirmation message saying the computer is now authorized. You're done — you can now play all your purchases on that machine. The authorization is tied to your Apple ID, not to the specific user account on your computer, so anyone who uses that computer can play your content as long as they don't sign out of iTunes.

If you don't see a sign-in prompt, go to the Account menu at the top of iTunes, select Authorizations, and click Authorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password the same way.

How to re-authorize after one year

iTunes authorization expires after 12 months. When it expires, you'll see a message asking you to authorize the computer again the next time you try to play purchased content. The process is identical to the first time: sign in with your Apple ID and password when prompted.

You don't lose access to your purchases or have to re-buy anything. Re-authorization is just a way for Apple to confirm you still own the computer and still want to use it with your account. If you don't re-authorize within a reasonable time, iTunes will straightforward stop playing protected content until you do.

How to deauthorize a computer you no longer use

If you've reached your five-computer limit and need to authorize a new machine, or if you're selling or giving away a computer, deauthorize it first. Go to any authorized computer, open iTunes, and click the Account menu at the top. Select Authorizations, then click Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted.

That computer is now deauthorized and no longer counts toward your five-machine limit. If you deauthorize a computer by mistake, you can re-authorize it the same way you did the first time — just sign in with your Apple ID when you try to play a purchase.

If you no longer have access to a computer you authorized (for example, you sold it and can't get it back), you can deauthorize all your computers at once from the iTunes Store website. Sign in with your Apple ID, go to Account Settings, and look for the option to deauthorize all computers. This resets your five-computer count to zero, and you can then authorize five new machines.

What to do if you see an authorization error

If iTunes says your computer is not authorized, the most common cause is that you're signed out of iTunes. Go to Account in the menu bar and check whether you're signed in. If you're not, click Sign In and enter your Apple ID and password.

If you're already signed in but still see an error, your authorization may have expired. Try to play a purchased item and authorize the computer again when prompted. If iTunes says you've already authorized five computers and won't let you authorize a sixth, you must deauthorize one of the others first — there is no way around the five-computer limit.

If you've forgotten your Apple ID password, go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your email address, and follow the steps to reset it. Once you've reset your password, return to iTunes and sign in with the new one.

Understanding the five-computer limit

Apple's five-computer limit applies to each Apple ID separately. If you have two Apple IDs, each one can authorize five computers, for a total of ten. However, you cannot authorize the same computer with two different Apple IDs and then play both people's purchases on it — each computer can only be authorized with one account at a time.

The limit exists to prevent one person from sharing purchases across an unlimited number of machines. If you need to use your purchases on a sixth computer, you must deauthorize one of the first five. This is a permanent part of how iTunes works and cannot be changed or overridden.

Authorizing a computer does not give other users of that computer access to your Apple ID or password. They can play your purchases while signed into iTunes, but they cannot change your account settings, buy new content, or see your payment information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to authorize a computer to use iTunes?

You only need to authorize a computer if you want to play music, audiobooks, or video you've bought from the iTunes Store. If you only use iTunes to listen to streaming music or podcasts, authorization is not required. Most people need authorization because they have at least some purchased content.

Can I authorize a computer without an Apple ID?

No. Authorization requires an Apple ID and password. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one for free at apple.com. You'll need a valid email address and a password you create yourself.

What happens if I authorize a computer and then sell it?

The new owner can use that computer to play your purchases as long as they don't sign you out of iTunes. To prevent this, deauthorize the computer before you sell it. Once deauthorized, the new owner can authorize it with their own Apple ID and use it with their own purchases.

Can I authorize a computer on someone else's WiFi?

Yes. Authorization only requires an internet connection and your Apple ID password. You can authorize a computer anywhere you have internet access — at home, at work, at a library, or anywhere else.

How do I know which computers I've authorized?

Sign in to your Apple ID account on apple.com, go to Account Settings, and look for the Devices section. This shows all computers and devices authorized with your account. You can deauthorize any of them from this page.