Deauthorizing a Computer Removes Its Access to Your iTunes Library

When you deauthorize a computer, you disconnect it from the Apple ID that signed into iTunes on that machine. That computer can no longer play music, videos, or audiobooks you purchased through iTunes, and it loses access to your iTunes library on that device. You might deauthorize a computer you no longer use, one you're selling or giving away, or one that's been compromised.

The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on Mac and Windows. You do it from the computer itself — you cannot deauthorize a machine remotely from another device or from Apple's website.

Key Takeaways

  • Deauthorizing a computer removes its ability to play iTunes purchases and access your iTunes library on that device.
  • You must deauthorize from the computer itself; you cannot do it remotely from another machine or from Apple's website.
  • On a Mac, open iTunes, click Account in the menu bar, then select Deauthorize This Computer and enter your Apple ID password.
  • On Windows, open iTunes, click Account in the menu bar, then select Deauthorize This Computer and enter your Apple ID password.
  • If you cannot access a computer to deauthorize it, you can deauthorize all computers at once through your Apple ID account online, but this resets your limit and should only be done once per year.

How to Deauthorize on Mac

Open iTunes on the Mac you want to deauthorize. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click Account. A dropdown menu will appear.

From the dropdown, select Deauthorize This Computer. A window will pop up asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter both and click Deauthorize. The computer is now disconnected from your iTunes account.

If you do not see the Account menu, make sure you are signed into iTunes with your Apple ID. Click Account again and look for your name at the top of the dropdown — if you see "Sign In" instead, click that first and enter your credentials.

How to Deauthorize on Windows

Open iTunes on the Windows computer you want to deauthorize. At the top of the window, click Account. A dropdown menu will appear.

Select Deauthorize This Computer from the dropdown. A window will ask for your Apple ID and password. Enter both and click Deauthorize. The computer is now removed from your iTunes account.

If you do not see the Account menu, you may be using an older version of iTunes. Update to the latest version through the Microsoft Store or by visiting apple.com/itunes, then try again.

What Happens After You Deauthorize

Once deauthorized, that computer cannot play any music, videos, or audiobooks you bought through iTunes. If someone else uses that computer, they will not be able to access your iTunes library on it. Any content you purchased will still be on the hard drive, but it will not play without authorization.

You can authorize the same computer again later by signing in with your Apple ID and going to Account > Authorize This Computer. Each Apple ID can authorize up to five computers at a time. If you reach that limit and want to authorize a new machine, you must deauthorize one of the old ones first.

Deauthorizing All Computers at Once

If you cannot access a computer to deauthorize it individually — for example, if you sold it or it was stolen — you can deauthorize all computers linked to your Apple ID at once. Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Media & Purchases, then Manage Your Authorizations. Select Deauthorize All.

This action disconnects every computer from your iTunes account when ready. You can then authorize up to five computers again from scratch. Apple limits you to deauthorizing all computers once per year, so use this option only when necessary. If you deauthorize all computers and then try to do it again within 12 months, you will see a message saying you must wait until the year is up.

Why You Might Not See the Deauthorize Option

If you open iTunes and the Account menu does not show a Deauthorize option, the computer is not currently authorized. You only see the deauthorize option on machines that are already linked to an Apple ID. This is normal — there is nothing to deauthorize if the computer was never authorized in the first place.

Another reason you might not see it: you are not signed into iTunes. Click Account and look at the top of the dropdown. If you see your name, you are signed in. If you see "Sign In", click that and enter your Apple ID and password, then try the Account menu again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deauthorize a computer if I forgot the Apple ID password?

You will need the password to deauthorize from that computer. If you forgot it, reset it at iforgot.apple.com, then return to iTunes and try again. If you cannot access the computer at all, use the Deauthorize All option on appleid.apple.com instead.

What if I deauthorize a computer but still want to use iTunes on it?

You can authorize it again. Open iTunes, click Account, select Authorize This Computer, and sign in with your Apple ID. The computer will be authorized again and can play your iTunes purchases.

Does deauthorizing delete my music from the computer?

No. The music files stay on the hard drive, but they will not play without authorization. If you want to keep the files, copy them to an external drive or another location before deauthorizing, or authorize the computer again later.

How many computers can I authorize at the same time?

You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID. If you need to authorize a sixth, you must deauthorize one of the others first. This limit resets if you deauthorize all computers at once.