What authorizing a computer means

Authorizing a computer for iTunes means linking that machine to your Apple ID so you can play music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks you bought through the iTunes Store. Without authorization, you can download purchases to the computer but cannot actually play them — the files stay locked until you authorize.

Apple limits each Apple ID to authorize up to five computers at once. This prevents one person from sharing purchases across dozens of machines. When you authorize, iTunes stores a record on that specific computer that it is permitted to play your content.

You authorize once per computer and stay authorized until you manually deauthorize or until you change your Apple ID password. If you sell or give away a computer, you should deauthorize it first so it no longer counts against your five-computer limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization links a computer to your Apple ID and lets you play purchases on that machine; without it, files remain locked.
  • You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID, and each authorization stays active until you deauthorize or change your password.
  • The authorization process takes less than a minute and requires only your Apple ID and password.
  • Deauthorizing a computer removes it from your account and frees up one of your five authorization slots.

How to authorize a computer on Windows or Mac

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. In the menu bar at the top, click Account (on Mac) or Edit (on Windows), then select Authorize This Computer.

A window will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter both and click Authorize. iTunes will confirm that the computer is now authorized, and you can immediately play any purchases tied to that Apple ID.

If you do not see the Authorize option in the menu, the computer may already be authorized under that Apple ID. Check by going to Account or Edit again — if the option now says Deauthorize This Computer, authorization is active.

What happens after you authorize

Once authorized, you can play any music, movies, TV episodes, or audiobooks you purchased with that Apple ID on that computer. You can also burn authorized purchases to CDs (for music only) and sync them to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.

Authorization is tied to the computer hardware, not to a user account on that computer. If multiple people use the same Mac or Windows machine, they all can play your purchases once the computer is authorized — but only if they are logged into iTunes with your Apple ID.

Your authorization remains active even if you update macOS or Windows, as long as you do not reinstall the operating system from scratch. A clean install of the OS will erase the authorization, and you will need to authorize again.

Deauthorizing a computer you no longer use

If you sell, give away, or stop using a computer, deauthorize it to free up one of your five authorization slots. Open iTunes, go to Account (Mac) or Edit (Windows), and select Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted.

Deauthorization takes effect immediately. That computer can no longer play your iTunes purchases, and you can now authorize a different machine in its place.

If you lose access to a computer — for example, it is stolen or breaks — you cannot deauthorize it remotely through iTunes. Instead, sign in to your Apple ID account on the web, go to Devices, find the computer in the list, and select Remove. This will deauthorize it and free up your slot.

Troubleshooting authorization problems

If iTunes says you have already authorized five computers and you want to authorize a new one, you must deauthorize an old computer first. You cannot raise the limit above five, and there is no way to authorize a sixth machine without removing one.

If you enter your Apple ID and password but authorization fails, check that you are using the correct password — not an old one you may have changed. If you recently changed your password, all your authorizations are automatically revoked, and you will need to re-authorize each computer you still use.

If iTunes will not open the Authorize menu at all, make sure you are signed into iTunes with your Apple ID. Go to Account or Edit and look for Sign In. Once you are signed in, the Authorize option will appear.

When you might need to re-authorize

You will need to authorize again if you change your Apple ID password. When you change the password, iTunes automatically deauthorizes all five of your computers as a security measure. You can then re-authorize each one you still use by entering your new password.

If you reinstall macOS or Windows from scratch, the authorization is erased along with everything else on the drive. You will need to authorize the computer again after the fresh install.

If you move a hard drive to a different computer, the authorization stays with the drive, not the machine. The new computer will recognize the drive as authorized.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. A computer can be authorized with only one Apple ID at a time. If you want to switch to a different Apple ID, you must deauthorize the computer first, then authorize it again with the new ID.

What if I forgot which computers I have authorized?

Sign in to your Apple ID account on the web at appleid.apple.com. Go to Devices and you will see a list of all computers and devices currently authorized with that ID. You can remove any of them from there.

Do I need to authorize my iPhone or iPad to use iTunes purchases?

No. iPhones and iPads do not require authorization the way computers do. They sync purchases through your Apple ID automatically. Authorization is only needed for Mac and Windows computers.

Will deauthorizing a computer delete my purchases from it?

No. Deauthorizing only prevents the computer from playing the files. The files themselves remain on the hard drive. You can delete them manually if you want to free up space.

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

Technically yes, but it is not recommended. Authorizing a shared computer counts against your five-computer limit and means anyone using that machine can play your purchases while logged into your Apple ID. Deauthorize it as soon as you are done.