How to Authorize Your Mac for Apple TV

The authorization process on your Mac

To authorize your Mac for Apple TV, you sign in with your Apple ID in the Apple TV app, then confirm the authorization code on a second device. The app generates a unique code that you enter on your iPhone, iPad, or at appleid.apple.com within 30 days. Once confirmed, your Mac is linked to your Apple ID and can stream content from the Apple TV app.

The process takes about five minutes and requires only your Apple ID password and access to another device where you can receive the code. You do not need to authorize your Mac every time you open the app — once it is authorized, you stay signed in until you manually sign out.

Key Takeaways

Open the Apple TV app on your Mac, select your profile icon in the top right, and choose "Sign In" to start the authorization process.
The app will display a unique authorization code that you must enter on a second device (iPhone, iPad, or web browser) within 30 days.
If you do not have a second device, you can visit appleid.apple.com on any web browser and enter the code there instead.
After you confirm the code on your second device, your Mac authorization completes automatically and you can begin streaming when ready.
If authorization fails, check that you are using the same Apple ID on both devices and that your internet connection is stable.

Step-by-step authorization on your Mac

Open the Apple TV app on your Mac. In the top right corner, click the profile icon (it looks like a person in a circle). From the menu that appears, select "Sign In".

Enter your Apple ID email address and password. If you use two-factor authentication on your Apple ID — which Apple recommends — you will receive a prompt on your trusted device asking you to allow the sign-in. Approve it, then return to your Mac.

Your Mac will now display a six-digit authorization code on the screen. Write this code down or keep it visible. You have 30 days to use it, but most people complete this step within minutes.

Confirming the code on your second device

Pick up your iPhone or iPad. Open the Settings app, tap your name at the top, then select "Password & Security". Scroll down and tap "Devices" or "Apps & Websites" (the exact label varies by iOS version). Look for the Apple TV app in the list and tap it.

You will see a field asking for an authorization code. Enter the six-digit code from your Mac exactly as it appears. Tap "Confirm" or "Done". Your Mac will authorize within seconds.

If you do not have an iPhone or iPad, open a web browser on any computer and go to appleid.apple.com. Sign in with your Apple ID, select "Devices", find the pending authorization request, and enter the code there instead.

What happens after authorization completes

Once you confirm the code, your Mac is now authorized to stream through the Apple TV app. You will see your profile name in the top right corner of the app, and your library of purchased content, subscriptions, and watchlist will appear.

Your authorization remains active until you sign out manually. If you sell or give away your Mac, sign out of the Apple TV app before handing it over. To sign out, click your profile icon in the top right and select "Sign Out".

Troubleshooting authorization problems

If the authorization code does not appear on your Mac, check that you are connected to the internet and that your Apple ID password was entered correctly. Close the Apple TV app completely and open it again. If the code still does not show, restart your Mac.

If you enter the code on your second device but your Mac does not authorize, make sure you are using the same Apple ID on both devices. Check that the code has not expired (you have 30 days from when it first appears). If more than 30 days have passed, return to your Mac and request a new code by signing in again.

If you see an error message about two-factor authentication, go to Settings on your Mac, click your Apple ID in the top menu bar, select "Password & Security", and make sure two-factor authentication is turned on. Then try signing into the Apple TV app again.

Authorizing multiple Macs with the same Apple ID

You can authorize up to five devices with a single Apple ID. Each device goes through the same process: open the Apple TV app, sign in with your Apple ID, and confirm the authorization code on a second device.

If you have already authorized five devices and want to authorize a new one, you must deauthorize an old device first. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, select "Devices", find the device you no longer use, and click "Remove". Then you can authorize your new Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to authorize my Mac every time I open the Apple TV app?

No. Once you authorize your Mac, you stay signed in until you manually sign out. Authorization is a one-time process per device. If you restart your Mac or close the app, you remain authorized and can open it again without repeating the steps.

What if I do not have a second device to confirm the code?

You can confirm the authorization code using any web browser on any computer. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and enter the code in the authorization section. You do not need to own the second device — you can use a friend's computer or phone temporarily.

Can I authorize my Mac without two-factor authentication?

If your Apple ID does not have two-factor authentication enabled, you can still authorize your Mac. The process is the same: sign in with your email and password, receive the code, and confirm it on a second device. Two-factor authentication adds an extra security step but is not required for authorization.

What should I do if I lose access to my second device?

If you cannot reach the second device where you need to confirm the code, wait 30 days for the code to expire, then request a new one. Alternatively, use any other device — a friend's phone, a public computer, or a tablet — to confirm the code on appleid.apple.com.

Will authorizing my Mac let other people watch my content?

Anyone who uses your Mac while you are signed in can watch your Apple TV content. If you share your Mac with others, consider signing out of the Apple TV app when you are not using it, or create a separate user account on your Mac for other people to use.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.