What authorizing a computer means and why iTunes requires it

Authorizing a computer for iTunes means telling Apple that this particular device is allowed to play music, movies, and other content you've bought from the iTunes Store using your Apple ID. Without authorization, you can read purchases to the computer, but you won't be able to play them.

Apple limits each Apple ID to authorize up to five computers at once. This protects against widespread sharing of paid content across many devices. When you authorize a computer, iTunes stores a record of that device linked to your account. If you sell the computer or stop using it, you can deauthorize it remotely to free up one of your five slots.

The authorization process is straightforward and takes less than a minute. You'll need your Apple ID and password, and the computer must be connected to the internet.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization connects your computer to your Apple ID so you can play purchased iTunes content on that device.
  • Each Apple ID can authorize up to five computers, and you can deauthorize them from any device with internet access.
  • On a Mac, open iTunes or the Music app, go to Account menu, and select Authorize This Computer; on Windows, use iTunes and follow the same Account menu path.
  • If you've reached your five-computer limit, you must deauthorize an old computer before authorizing a new one.
  • Deauthorizing all computers at once is possible through your Apple ID account settings online, but you can only do this once per year.

How to authorize on a Mac using the Music app or iTunes

On newer Macs running macOS Catalina or later, the Music app has replaced iTunes. Open the Music app, then click the menu bar at the top of your screen and select Music (or Account depending on your version). Look for an option labeled Authorize This Computer. Click it, then enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. The computer is now authorized.

If you're using an older Mac with iTunes still installed, the process is identical. Open iTunes, click Account in the menu bar, and select Authorize This Computer. Enter your credentials and you're done.

After authorization, you'll see a confirmation message. Your computer is now linked to your Apple ID and can play all purchases made with that account.

How to authorize on Windows using iTunes

On Windows, open iTunes (read it from Apple's website if you don't have it). Click Account in the menu bar at the top of the window. Select Authorize This Computer from the dropdown. A dialog box will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter both and click Authorize.

Windows users should note that iTunes for Windows is no longer updated by Apple as of 2022, but it still functions for playing purchased content and authorizing computers. If you encounter issues, you can also manage authorization through your Apple ID account online.

What to do if you've already authorized five computers

Each Apple ID can authorize a maximum of five computers. If you try to authorize a sixth computer, iTunes will tell you that you've reached your limit. You must deauthorize one of the existing computers before you can authorize the new one.

To deauthorize a computer you still have access to, open iTunes or the Music app, go to the Account menu, and select Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password. That computer is now deauthorized and no longer counts toward your five-computer limit.

If you no longer have access to one of the five computers—for example, you sold it or it broke—you can deauthorize it remotely through your Apple ID account settings online. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, scroll to the Security section, and look for Devices or Manage your Apple ID. Find the computer you want to remove and deauthorize it from there.

Deauthorizing all computers at once

Apple allows you to deauthorize all five computers in a single action, but only once per calendar year. This is useful if you've lost track of which computers are authorized or if you've sold or given away multiple devices.

To deauthorize all computers, sign into your Apple ID account at appleid.apple.com. Navigate to the Security or Devices section and look for an option to Deauthorize All Computers. Click it, confirm your choice, and all five slots will be cleared. After this action, you won't be able to deauthorize all computers again until the calendar year resets on January 1.

Troubleshooting authorization problems

If iTunes or the Music app won't let you authorize a computer, first check that you're using the correct Apple ID and password. Make sure your internet connection is stable—authorization requires a live connection to Apple's servers.

If you see an error message saying the authorization failed, try signing out of your Apple ID within iTunes or the Music app, then signing back in. On a Mac, go to Account > Sign Out, wait a few seconds, then go back to Account and sign in again. On Windows, use the Account menu in the same way.

If the problem persists, restart the process and try again. If you're still unable to authorize after restarting, contact Apple Support directly—they can investigate whether there's a problem with your account or device.

What happens after you authorize a computer

Once a computer is authorized, you can play any music, movies, TV shows, or audiobooks you've bought through the iTunes Store on that device. You can also sync content from your library to other devices using iCloud Music Library or other syncing methods.

Authorization is tied to the device itself, not to a specific user account on that device. This means anyone who uses the computer can play your iTunes purchases, even if they log in with a different user account on Windows or macOS. If you share a computer with others and want to restrict access, you'll need to use your operating system's built-in user account controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. A single computer can be authorized with only one Apple ID at a time. If you want to switch which Apple ID is authorized on a computer, you must first deauthorize the current one, then authorize with the new ID. This counts as one of your five authorizations for the new ID.

What happens to my authorization if I change my Apple ID password?

Your authorization remains active. Changing your password does not deauthorize computers. However, if you forget your password and reset it through Apple's account recovery process, you may need to re-enter your credentials in iTunes or the Music app the next time you try to play a purchase.

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

No. You can read purchases to any computer using your Apple ID, whether it's authorized or not. Authorization is only required to actually play the content you've downloaded.

Can I authorize a computer without an internet connection?

No. iTunes and the Music app must connect to Apple's servers to complete authorization. Make sure your computer has a working internet connection before attempting to authorize.

If I deauthorize a computer, can I still read my purchases to it?

Yes. Deauthorizing only prevents you from playing content on that computer. You can still read purchases using your Apple ID. If you want to play them later, you'll need to authorize the computer again.