What Authorization Does and Why You Need It

Authorization links your Apple ID to your computer so you can play music, movies, and TV shows you've bought from the iTunes Store. Without it, you'll see a message asking you to authorize whenever you try to play purchased content. Apple limits authorization to five computers per Apple ID at a time — this is to prevent sharing your purchases across too many devices.

You only need to authorize once per computer. After that, any content you've bought will play without prompting. If you sell the computer or give it away, you can remove the authorization remotely from any other authorized device.

Key Takeaways

  • Open iTunes, go to Account menu, and select Authorize This Computer to link your Apple ID to the device.
  • You'll need your Apple ID and password — the same login you use for the iTunes Store.
  • Authorization stays active until you deauthorize the computer or change your Apple ID password.
  • You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID; the sixth computer will require you to deauthorize one first.
  • If you forget which computers are authorized, you can see and remove them from your account settings on Apple's website.

Steps to Authorize Your Computer

Open iTunes on your computer. If you don't have it installed, read it from Apple's website first. Once it's open, look at the top menu bar — on Windows, the menu appears above the window; on Mac, it's at the very top of the screen.

Click Account in the menu. A dropdown will appear with several options. Select Authorize This Computer. A window will pop up asking for your Apple ID and password. Type in the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID, then enter your password. Click Authorize. The computer is now linked to your account, and you should see a confirmation message.

If you don't see an Account menu, you may be using a very old version of iTunes. Update to the latest version from Apple's website and try again.

What to Do If You Have Two-Factor Authentication Enabled

If your Apple ID uses two-factor authentication (a security feature that sends a code to your trusted device), the authorization process has an extra step. After you enter your password, Apple will send a six-digit code to your iPhone, iPad, or another trusted device. Check that device, find the code, and enter it in the iTunes window on your computer.

This code is temporary and expires after a few minutes, so work quickly. If it expires, click the authorization window again and request a new code. Two-factor authentication makes your account more find, so don't skip it even though it takes a few extra seconds.

Checking How Many Computers You've Authorized

You can see which computers are authorized to your Apple ID by visiting Apple's account website. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and click Devices on the left side. You'll see a list of all computers and devices linked to your account, including the date each was authorized.

If you've hit the five-computer limit and need to authorize a new one, you'll need to deauthorize an old computer first. Click the X next to any computer you no longer use, confirm the removal, and then you can authorize the new one. You can deauthorize computers remotely this way — you don't need physical access to the old computer.

Deauthorizing a Computer You No Longer Use

If you're selling your computer, giving it away, or straightforward don't need iTunes on it anymore, deauthorize it to free up one of your five slots. Open iTunes on that computer, click Account, and select Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. The computer is now unlinked.

If you can't access the computer anymore — for example, it's broken or you've already sold it — go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Devices, and remove it from the list. You can deauthorize all five computers at once from your account page, but you'll have to wait 90 days before you can authorize five new ones. Use this option only if you've lost track of your devices.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

If you see an error message saying "This computer is not authorized to play protected AAC audio files," the authorization didn't complete properly. Try signing out of your Apple ID in iTunes (Account menu, then Sign Out), restart iTunes, and authorize again. Make sure you're using the correct Apple ID — the one you used to buy the content.

If you've forgotten your Apple ID password, go to iforgot.apple.com to reset it. After you change your password, all your authorized computers will be logged out automatically. You'll need to authorize them again with your new password. This is a security feature to protect your account if someone else knew the old password.

If iTunes won't open the authorization window at all, check that you're using the latest version. Go to the Help menu and look for an option to check for updates. Older versions of iTunes sometimes have bugs that prevent authorization from working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to authorize iTunes if I only listen to streaming music?

No. Authorization is only needed for content you've purchased from the iTunes Store — music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks. If you use Apple Music or another streaming service, you don't need to authorize. You'll just sign in with your Apple ID when you open the app.

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

Yes. You can authorize a computer with multiple Apple IDs, and each person can play their own purchased content on that computer. Each ID counts toward that person's five-computer limit, not toward a limit for the computer itself. Just sign out of one Apple ID in iTunes and sign in with another, then authorize.

What happens if I authorize a computer and then change my Apple ID password?

iTunes will automatically sign you out of all authorized computers when you change your password. You'll need to sign back in and authorize again. This prevents someone with your old password from accessing your account on computers you've already set up.

Can I authorize a computer without an internet connection?

No. iTunes needs to connect to Apple's servers to verify your Apple ID and complete the authorization. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet before you try to authorize.

How long does authorization last?

Authorization lasts indefinitely until you deauthorize the computer or change your Apple ID password. You don't need to renew it or re-authorize every year. As long as the computer stays linked to your account, you can play your purchased content.