• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

AppleToolBox

Tools and Fixes for Mac, iPad, iPhone & iWatch

Search posts

  • About
  • Contact

CONNECT WITH US

CATEGORIES

  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • iPod
  • Apple Watch
  • Mac/MacBook
  • AirPods
  • Apple TV
  • News
  • Apple Services
  • HomePod
  • Reviews

SITE

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Search posts

You are here: Home / Mac / How to Authorize a Computer on iTunes

How to Authorize a Computer on iTunes

By Dan Helyer 1 comment Last updated April 30, 2018

iTunes authorizations allow a computer to play movies, read books, or download apps that were purchased using your Apple ID. This article shows you how to authorize a computer on iTunes and unlock access to all your content. It also explains how to deauthorize iTunes for old computers you no longer use.

Related Posts: 

  • Apple Releases New iTunes 12.7, What You Should Know
  • Can I Use Different Apple IDs for iCloud and iTunes Store Purchases?
  • “Not copied to the iPad because you are not authorized to use it on this computer error” – Fix

iTunes authorizations allow access to media purchased on your Apple ID. This includes content from the iTunes, iBooks, or App store. An authorized computer is able to download and play this content freely.

iTunes, iBooks, and App Store logos

Up to 5 computers can be authorized at once. After this point, existing machines must be deauthorized to make space for new ones. iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads, don’t require authorization since they use iCloud association instead.

Computers should be deauthorized on iTunes before being given away or sold. They should also be deauthorized before major hardware upgrades, which can cause iTunes to register the machine as a new device.

Contents

  • How to Authorize a Computer
  • How to Deauthorize a Computer
  • How to Check the Number of iTunes Authorizations
  • How to Deauthorize All Computers
  • Troubleshooting
    • Keep Needing to Authorize
    • No More Authorizations Available
    • Too Many Computers Authorized
    • Can’t Access Authorized Computer

How to Authorize a Computer

Ensure your Mac or PC is running the latest version of iTunes before authorizing it. You only need to authorize a computer once, however multiple attempts won’t use any more spaces.

Authorize a Computer
  1. Launch iTunes
  2. Sign in to your Apple ID if prompted
  3. Click Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer…
  4. Enter your Apple ID password and click Authorize

iTunes authorization screenshot

How to Deauthorize a Computer

Deauthorize iTunes when you are no longer going to use the computer or before a major hardware upgrade. If an upgrade has already taken place, deauthorize the machine multiple times to ensure it is fully removed.

Deauthorize a Computer
  1. Launch iTunes
  2. Sign in to your Apple ID if prompted
  3. Click Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer…
  4. Enter your Apple ID password and click Deauthorize

Deauthorize iTunes screenshot

How to Check the Number of iTunes Authorizations

Use iTunes to view your Apple ID account and see how many computers are authorized. It isn’t possible to view information about the specific machines, only the total number of iTunes authorizations.

Check the Number of Authorized Computers
  1. Launch iTunes
  2. Sign in to your Apple ID if prompted
  3. Click Account > View My Account…
  4. Enter your Apple ID password and click View Account
  5. Computer Authorizations are under the Apple ID Summary

iTunes account screenshot showing iTunes authorizations

How to Deauthorize All Computers

If you cannot access a computer to deauthorize iTunes, you can deauthorize all computers through your Apple ID. This option becomes available when 2 or more machines are authorized to your account. You can only deauthorize all computers once per year.

After deauthorizing all computers, you will need to individually authorize each machine that you still use.

Deauthorize All Computers
  1. Launch iTunes
  2. Sign in to your Apple ID if prompted
  3. Click Account > View My Account…
  4. Enter your Apple ID password and click View Account
  5. Under Computer Authorizations click Deauthorize All

iTunes Account screenshot showing how to deauthorize all computers

Troubleshooting

Keep Needing to Authorize

This could happen because the content you’re playing was purchased under a different Apple ID. You can test it by right-clicking the item in iTunes and looking for a Remove Download option.

If the Remove Download option is available, you’re signed into the correct account. You should click Remove Download and then download the item again. If this doesn’t work you can contact Apple Support for further assistance.

If the Remove Download option isn’t available, select Get Info and click on the File tab. Here you will see the Apple ID associated with the item’s purchase. This is the account you need to use when authorizing the computer.

No More Authorizations Available

iTunes allows you to authorize 5 computers at one time. If you can’t authorize a new machine, it means the limit has been reached. You can see how many computers are authorized in your iTunes account and choose to deauthorize all computers if necessary.

Too Many Computers Authorized

Occasionally, a single computer uses multiple authorization slots. This typically happens after a major hardware upgrade because iTunes registers it as a new machine. To resolve the issue you can deauthorize the computer multiple times, or deauthorize all computers at once and start from scratch.

Can’t Access Authorized Computer

Sometimes you can’t access a computer that is authorized to your account. This could happen if you no longer own it or if it no longer works. In such cases, the only option is to deauthorize all computers. Afterward, you will need to authorize each computer that you still use.

We hope that you found this article helpful. Please let us know in the comments below if you have any questions.

Dan Helyer

Dan writes tutorials and troubleshooting guides to help people make the most of their technology. Before becoming a writer, he earned a BSc in Sound Technology, supervised repairs at an Apple Store, and even taught English in China.

Related Posts:

  • How to use Books in iOS 13 & 12 and iPadOS, essential tips
    How to use Books in iOS 13 & 12 and iPadOS, essential tips
  • Apple Books or iBooks Missing After the Latest Upgrade, How-To Fix
    Apple Books or iBooks Missing After the Latest Upgrade,…
  • iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them - Troubleshooting Guide
    iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them -…
  • Tips and tricks for using Apple Books in iOS 13 and iPadOS
    Tips and tricks for using Apple Books in iOS 13 and iPadOS
  • Should I sign up for Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program?
    Should I sign up for Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program?
  • The Definitive Guide to iCloud Photos (2020 update)
    The Definitive Guide to iCloud Photos (2020 update)
  • Apple Books vs Kindle: Which books app is right for you?
    Apple Books vs Kindle: Which books app is right for you?
  • AirPods Pro---The Complete Guide
    AirPods Pro---The Complete Guide
  • Apple Books or iBooks Stuck On Cover Page or Other Page? How To Fix
    Apple Books or iBooks Stuck On Cover Page or Other Page? How…

Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Show 1 Comments

  1. Lawrence Waterman says

    July 23, 2021 at 10:23 PM

    I have a multitude of Apple devices in one home. I have 4 computers, 2 iPads, 4 iPods and an iPhone. Is it possible to authorize more than 5 devices for music?

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Apple Business Connect: What Is It?
  • Apple Data Collection: What Does It Know About You?
  • Can’t Set Up HomePod? How-to Fix
  • Apple Watch Tips and Tricks for 2023
  • How to Show and Hide Recent and Suggested Apps in Your iPad Dock
  • The Best iOS Apps and macOS Apps: January 2023

Connect with us

Footer

ABOUT

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

GUIDES

  • iOS 13 & iPadOS
  • Apple ID
  • iCloud
  • App Store
  • iTunes
  • FaceTime
  • iMessage
  • Siri
  • Books and iBooks
  • Game Center
  • AirPlay

CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • FeedBurner
  • YouTube

© Copyright 2010-2023 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved

This site and its content are in no way affiliated or endorsed by Apple, Inc. · Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited