Authorizing a computer for iTunes means telling Apple that you own or regularly use that machine, so it can play music and video you've bought from the iTunes Store

When you authorize a computer, you're linking your Apple ID to that specific device. Apple then allows iTunes on that computer to play protected content — songs, TV shows, movies, audiobooks — that you've purchased. Without authorization, you can read the files, but they won't play. It's Apple's way of preventing one person from buying music once and sharing it with dozens of devices.

You authorize a computer the first time you try to play purchased content on it, or you can do it manually before that moment arrives. The process takes about 30 seconds and requires your Apple ID password. Once authorized, that computer can play your purchases without asking again — until you deauthorize it or until the authorization expires after a year of inactivity.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization links your Apple ID to a specific computer so iTunes can play music and video you've bought from Apple.
  • You can authorize up to five computers at the same time under one Apple ID; a sixth computer will force you to deauthorize one first.
  • Authorization happens automatically the first time you play purchased content, but you can also authorize manually through iTunes settings.
  • If you sell or give away a computer, deauthorizing it prevents the new owner from playing your purchases on that machine.

How to authorize a computer manually

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click Account (on a Mac) or Edit (on Windows), then select Authorizations, then Authorize This Computer. A window will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter both and click Authorize.

That's the entire process. iTunes will confirm that the computer is now authorized, and you'll be able to play any music, TV shows, movies, or audiobooks you've purchased through the iTunes Store on that machine. The authorization stays active for one year from the date you authorize it, even if you don't use iTunes during that time. After a year of no activity, the authorization expires and you'll need to authorize again if you want to play purchased content.

Why Apple limits you to five authorized computers

Apple allows you to authorize up to five computers under a single Apple ID at any given time. This limit exists because purchased iTunes content is meant for personal use on devices you own or control, not for sharing across an unlimited number of machines. If you tried to authorize a sixth computer, iTunes will tell you that you've reached your limit and ask you to deauthorize one of the existing five before proceeding.

The limit resets once per year. If you've authorized five computers and want to authorize a sixth, you have two options: deauthorize one of the existing five manually, or wait until the year anniversary of one of your authorizations, at which point it will expire automatically. Many people hit this limit when they upgrade to a new computer and forget to deauthorize the old one before setting up iTunes on the new machine.

What happens when you deauthorize a computer

Deauthorizing a computer removes the link between your Apple ID and that machine. After deauthorization, iTunes on that computer can no longer play any of your purchased content — the files remain on the hard drive, but they won't open. You might deauthorize a computer because you're selling it, giving it away, or straightforward no longer use it and want to free up one of your five authorization slots for a new device.

To deauthorize, open iTunes, go to Account (Mac) or Edit (Windows), select Authorizations, then click Deauthorize This Computer. You'll need to enter your Apple ID and password. The deauthorization takes effect when ready. If you later want to use iTunes on that computer again, you'll need to authorize it once more.

The difference between authorizing and signing in

Signing into iTunes with your Apple ID is not the same as authorizing a computer. When you sign in, you're telling iTunes who you are so it can show you your purchase history, let you buy new content, and sync with your other Apple devices. Authorization is a separate step that specifically allows playback of protected content you've already bought.

You can be signed into iTunes without being authorized, which means you can browse the store and make purchases, but you won't be able to play the music or video you've bought until you authorize. Conversely, you can authorize a computer without signing in with your full Apple ID — some older setups allowed authorization with just a password. In modern versions of iTunes, the two steps usually happen together, but they serve different purposes.

When authorization expires or fails

If you see a message saying your computer is not authorized, it usually means one of three things: the authorization expired after a year of inactivity, you deauthorized the computer at some point, or there's a problem with your internet connection preventing iTunes from verifying the authorization with Apple's servers. Try authorizing again with your Apple ID and password.

If you've already authorized five computers and can't remember which ones, you can view your list of authorized computers by going to Account (Mac) or Edit (Windows), then View My Account, then scrolling to the iTunes in the Cloud section. There you'll see all five authorized computers listed by name and the date each was authorized. You can deauthorize any of them from that same screen without needing to be at that specific computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to authorize every computer I use iTunes on?

Yes, if you want to play purchased content. You can read and manage your library on an unauthorized computer, but iTunes will block playback of protected music and video until you authorize. The authorization process is quick and only needs to happen once per computer.

What if I lost access to one of my authorized computers?

You can deauthorize it remotely through your Apple ID account settings online, without needing to be at that computer. Go to your Apple ID account page, find the list of authorized computers, and deauthorize the one you no longer have access to. This frees up a slot so you can authorize a different machine.

Can someone else use my authorized computer to play my purchases?

Yes. Once a computer is authorized to your Apple ID, anyone using that computer can play your purchased content. This is why you should deauthorize a computer before selling it or giving it away — otherwise the new owner will be able to play all your music and video.

Does authorization work the same way on iPhone or iPad?

No. iPhones and iPads don't use the iTunes authorization system. Instead, they sync with your Apple ID, and purchased content plays automatically on any device signed into that account. The five-device limit for iTunes authorization applies only to computers running iTunes software.