What Authorization Means and Why You Need It

Authorization is Apple's way of confirming that your computer is allowed to play content you own or rent through iTunes and Apple TV. When you authorize a computer, you're telling Apple that this device belongs to you and can access your purchases. Without authorization, you won't be able to watch movies, TV shows, or other media you've bought on that machine.

You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID at any given time. If you reach that limit and want to use a new computer, you'll need to deauthorize an old one first. The authorization stays active until you manually remove it or until you deauthorize all computers at once from your Apple ID settings online.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization happens in the iTunes or Apple TV app on your computer and requires your Apple ID and password.
  • You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID; a sixth computer requires you to deauthorize one first.
  • The authorization process takes less than a minute and happens when ready after you enter your credentials.
  • If you forget which computers are authorized, you can view and manage them from your Apple ID account page online.
  • Deauthorizing a computer removes its access to your purchases but does not delete any files already on that machine.

How to Authorize on Windows Using iTunes

On a Windows computer, you'll use the iTunes app to authorize. Open iTunes and look at the top menu bar. Click Account, then select Authorizations, then Authorize This Computer.

A window will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter both and click Authorize. iTunes will confirm that your computer is now authorized. You're done—the process takes about 30 seconds. If you see a message saying you've already authorized five computers, you'll need to deauthorize one before you can authorize this one.

How to Authorize on Mac Using the Apple TV App

On a Mac running macOS 10.15 or newer, the Apple TV app replaces iTunes. Open the Apple TV app and click Account in the top menu (or look for your profile icon). Select Sign In if you're not already logged in, then enter your Apple ID and password.

Once you're signed in, go back to the menu and look for Authorize This Computer under Account settings. Click it, confirm your Apple ID password one more time, and the authorization is complete. On older Macs running macOS 10.14 or earlier, use iTunes instead—the steps are the same as the Windows process above.

What to Do If You've Reached Your Five-Computer Limit

If you try to authorize a sixth computer and see an error message, you've hit Apple's limit. You need to deauthorize one of your existing computers first. The fastest way is to do this online without touching the old computer.

Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Devices or Account Settings (the exact name varies by region). Find the computer you no longer use and click Remove or the delete icon next to it. Wait a few minutes, then try authorizing your new computer. If you still have access to an old computer you want to remove, you can also deauthorize it directly: open iTunes or the Apple TV app, go to Account, then click Deauthorize This Computer.

Checking Which Computers Are Currently Authorized

To see a list of all computers authorized under your Apple ID, visit appleid.apple.com, sign in, and go to Devices. You'll see every computer, phone, and tablet linked to your account, along with the date each was last used. This list is useful if you're trying to remember which machine is which or if you suspect an unauthorized device is using your account.

From this same page, you can remove any device when ready. There's no waiting period—the deauthorization takes effect right away. The next time someone tries to use that computer to play your purchases, they'll get an error message and won't be able to proceed.

What Happens After You Deauthorize a Computer

Deauthorizing a computer removes its permission to play content you own, but it does not delete any files already downloaded to that machine. Movies, TV shows, or music you've already saved will still be on the hard drive—they just won't play without authorization. If you sell or give away the computer, deauthorizing it first is the right move for your security.

If you deauthorize a computer by mistake, you can authorize it again when ready using the same steps. There's no penalty or waiting period. However, if you deauthorize all computers at once from your Apple ID settings online, you'll have a 90-day waiting period before you can deauthorize them all again—this is a safety feature to prevent account abuse.

Troubleshooting Authorization Problems

If authorization fails, the most common cause is an incorrect Apple ID or password. Double-check that you're using the correct Apple ID (it's usually an email address) and that your password is typed correctly. If you've forgotten your password, go to iforgot.apple.com to reset it before trying again.

If you're still seeing an error after entering the correct credentials, try signing out of your Apple ID completely, then signing back in. On Windows, go to Account > Sign Out in iTunes, wait 30 seconds, then sign back in. On Mac, go to Account > Sign Out in the Apple TV app, then sign back in. If the problem persists, restart your computer and try once more. If authorization still fails after a restart, contact Apple Support—there may be an issue with your account that requires their help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I authorize the same computer twice?

No. Once a computer is authorized under your Apple ID, authorizing it again does nothing—it's already on your list. If you want to switch the authorization to a different Apple ID, you must deauthorize the computer first, then authorize it under the new account.

What if I sell my computer without deauthorizing it?

The new owner will not be able to play any of your purchases on that machine. They can still use the computer normally, but iTunes and the Apple TV app will block playback of your content. They can authorize the computer under their own Apple ID to play their own purchases. You should deauthorize it from your account settings online as soon as you realize it's gone.

Do I need to authorize my computer every time I use it?

No. Once authorized, your computer stays authorized until you manually deauthorize it. You won't have to re-enter your credentials each time you open iTunes or Apple TV, though you may need to sign in to your Apple ID account within the app itself to view your library.

Can I authorize a computer at a library or internet café?

Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Authorizing a computer counts toward your five-computer limit, and you won't be able to deauthorize it remotely if it's a shared machine. If you do authorize a public computer by mistake, go to appleid.apple.com and remove it from your device list as soon as you get home.

What's the difference between signing in and authorizing?

Signing in means entering your Apple ID credentials into the app so you can see your library and account. Authorizing means giving that specific computer permission to play your purchases. You need to do both: sign in so the app knows who you are, then authorize so that computer can actually play the content.