What authorizing a PC on iTunes actually does

Authorizing a PC on iTunes means telling Apple that this specific computer is allowed to play music, movies, and other content you've bought from the iTunes Store using your Apple ID. When you buy something from iTunes, Apple attaches it to your account. Without authorization, a different computer can't play that content — even if someone knows your password.

Think of it like a library card. Your library card (your Apple ID) lets you check out books (iTunes purchases). But the library also needs to know which library branch (which computer) you're using the card at. Authorization is Apple's way of saying "yes, this computer is one of yours."

You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID at any given time. If you try to authorize a sixth computer, iTunes will ask you to deauthorize one of the others first. This limit exists to prevent one person from sharing their iTunes purchases across dozens of devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizing a PC links it to your Apple ID so you can play iTunes purchases on that computer.
  • You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID; authorizing a sixth requires deauthorizing one first.
  • Authorization happens once per computer and stays active until you manually deauthorize it or change your Apple ID password.
  • If you sell or give away a computer, deauthorize it first so your five-computer limit doesn't get stuck on a device you no longer own.

How to authorize a PC in iTunes

Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click Account (on older versions of iTunes, this may say Store). A dropdown menu will appear.

Select Authorizations from the menu, then click Authorize This Computer. iTunes will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID and password — the same account you use to buy content from the iTunes Store. Enter both and click Authorize.

A confirmation message will appear saying the computer is now authorized. The date and time of authorization will be recorded. That's it — you're done. Any iTunes purchases tied to that Apple ID can now play on this computer.

Why Apple requires authorization in the first place

iTunes purchases come with digital rights management (DRM), which is a technical restriction that controls how and where content can be played. DRM exists because music labels, movie studios, and other content creators want to prevent unlimited copying and sharing of their work.

Without authorization, DRM would block playback on any computer. With authorization, Apple trusts that computer to play your purchases. The five-computer limit is a compromise: it lets you use your iTunes library on multiple devices you actually own, but stops one person from sharing purchases with dozens of strangers.

If you've ever bought a song or movie from iTunes and couldn't play it on a friend's computer even though they had your password, that's DRM and authorization at work. It's a trade-off: you get legal access to content, but Apple controls where you can use it.

What happens if you don't authorize a computer

If you try to play an iTunes purchase on a computer that isn't authorized, iTunes will stop playback and show an error message. You won't be able to listen to the song, watch the movie, or access the content at all — even if you own it and have the file on that computer.

This can be frustrating if you've moved to a new computer and forgotten to authorize it, or if you're trying to use iTunes on a work computer. The solution is always the same: authorize the computer using your Apple ID, and playback will work when ready.

How to deauthorize a computer

Go to Account (or Store) in the menu bar, then Authorizations, then Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. The computer will no longer be able to play your iTunes purchases.

You should deauthorize a computer before you sell it, give it away, or stop using it. If you don't, that computer will still count toward your five-computer limit even though you no longer own it. This can lock you out of authorizing new computers you actually use.

If you've lost access to a computer or forgotten to deauthorize it before selling it, you can deauthorize all your computers at once through your Apple ID account on Apple's website. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, scroll to Security, and look for the option to deauthorize all computers. This resets your count to zero, and you can then re-authorize the computers you currently own.

Authorization vs. signing in to iTunes

Signing in to iTunes and authorizing a computer are two different things, and the confusion between them is common. Signing in means entering your Apple ID and password so iTunes knows who you are and can show you your purchase history. Authorizing means telling Apple that this specific computer is allowed to play the content you've bought.

You can sign in to iTunes on a computer without authorizing it. In that case, you'll see your purchases and your account information, but you won't be able to play any of the content. Authorization is the step that unlocks playback.

What to do if you've hit your five-computer limit

If you try to authorize a sixth computer and iTunes tells you that you've reached your limit, you need to deauthorize one of the other computers first. Think about which computers you no longer use regularly, or which ones you've already sold or given away.

Deauthorize that computer using the steps above. Once it's deauthorized, you'll have one slot open and can authorize your new computer. If you can't physically access one of the old computers to deauthorize it, use the "deauthorize all computers" option on Apple's website, then re-authorize only the computers you currently own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to authorize every device I own?

No. Authorization is only required for computers running iTunes. iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices use a different system — they sign in with your Apple ID, and that's enough to play your purchases. You only need to authorize a Mac or Windows PC.

What if I change my Apple ID password?

Changing your password will deauthorize all your computers automatically. You'll need to re-authorize each one using your new password. This is a security feature to prevent someone who knows your old password from continuing to access your purchases.

Can I authorize a computer that belongs to someone else?

Technically yes, but you shouldn't. When you authorize a computer, anyone who uses that computer can play all your iTunes purchases. If you authorize a friend's computer, they'll have access to your entire library. Only authorize computers you own or control.

Does authorization expire?

No. Once you authorize a computer, it stays authorized until you manually deauthorize it or change your Apple ID password. There's no time limit or expiration date.

What if I forgot which computers I've authorized?

You can see a list of all your authorized computers on Apple's website. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and look for Devices or Security. The list will show the computer names and the dates they were authorized.