What authorizing your computer in iTunes actually does

Authorizing a computer in iTunes means telling Apple that this particular machine is allowed to play music, movies, and other content you've bought from the iTunes Store using your Apple ID. Without authorization, you can still use iTunes to listen to music you own or stream services, but you cannot play purchases tied to your account.

Apple limits each Apple ID to authorize up to five computers at once. This protects against widespread sharing of paid content — you can't hand your login to dozens of people and have them all play your purchases simultaneously. When you authorize a computer, iTunes stores a record on that machine. If you later sell the computer or stop using it, you can deauthorize it remotely from any other authorized computer, freeing up one of your five slots.

The process takes about two minutes and requires only your Apple ID and password. You do this once per computer; you don't need to repeat it every time you open iTunes.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizing lets your computer play iTunes purchases linked to your Apple ID, and you can authorize up to five computers total.
  • You need your Apple ID and password, and the computer must be connected to the internet during authorization.
  • Authorization happens in the iTunes menu on Windows or the iTunes menu on Mac, under Account settings.
  • If you sell or replace a computer, deauthorize it first to free up one of your five authorization slots.

How to authorize on Windows

Open iTunes on your Windows computer. At the top of the window, click the menu bar — it may say "File" or show three horizontal lines depending on your iTunes version. Look for an option labeled "Account" or "Sign In".

Click "Account," then select "Authorize This Computer" from the dropdown menu. A window will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Type both in exactly as they appear — capitalization and spacing matter. If you use two-factor authentication on your Apple ID, you may see a prompt asking you to confirm the authorization on another device or to enter a verification code. Follow those prompts.

Once you enter your credentials correctly, iTunes will confirm that the computer is now authorized. You should see a message saying something like "This computer is authorized" or showing the number of computers you have authorized out of five. Close this window and you're done.

How to authorize on Mac

Open iTunes from your Applications folder. At the very top of your screen, click the "iTunes" menu (not "File" — on Mac, the app name is the first menu). Scroll down and click "Account."

A submenu will appear. Click "Authorize This Computer." You'll see a box asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter both exactly as they are — spaces and capital letters must match. If your Apple ID uses two-factor authentication, you'll need to confirm the authorization on another device or enter a code sent to your phone.

After you submit your credentials, iTunes will show a confirmation message. You can now close the window. Your Mac is authorized and ready to play your iTunes purchases.

What to do if authorization fails

If you see an error message when trying to authorize, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Make sure Caps Lock is off and that you're typing your Apple ID password, not your computer password. If you've forgotten your Apple ID password, visit iforgot.apple.com to reset it before trying again.

If the password is correct but authorization still fails, check that your computer is connected to the internet — authorization requires an active connection to Apple's servers. Restart iTunes and try again. If the problem persists, restart your entire computer and attempt authorization once more.

If you see a message saying you've already authorized five computers, you must deauthorize one before you can authorize a new one. You can deauthorize a computer from any authorized machine by going back to the Account menu and selecting "Deauthorize This Computer," or you can deauthorize all computers at once from your Apple ID account settings on Apple's website.

How to deauthorize a computer you no longer use

If you're selling a computer, giving it away, or straightforward want to free up an authorization slot, deauthorize it first. Open iTunes on that computer, click the Account menu (or iTunes menu on Mac), and select "Deauthorize This Computer." You'll be asked to enter your Apple ID and password one more time. After you do, that computer will no longer be able to play your iTunes purchases.

If you no longer have access to the computer — for example, you sold it and no longer own it — you can deauthorize it remotely. Visit appleid.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, scroll to the Security section, and look for "Devices" or "Manage your Apple ID." Find the computer in the list and select the option to remove or deauthorize it. This frees up one of your five authorization slots without needing the physical machine.

Why you might need to reauthorize

Occasionally, iTunes will ask you to authorize your computer again even though you've already done it. This usually happens after a major iTunes update, a macOS or Windows update, or if you haven't opened iTunes in a very long time. The process is identical to the first time — go to Account, select "Authorize This Computer," and enter your Apple ID and password.

If you're asked to authorize repeatedly every time you open iTunes, something may be wrong with your iTunes installation or your internet connection. Try restarting both iTunes and your computer. If the problem continues, you may need to reinstall iTunes, but this is rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Each computer can be authorized with only one Apple ID at a time. If you want to switch to a different Apple ID, you must first deauthorize the computer, then authorize it again with the new ID. This counts as using one of your five authorization slots per ID.

What happens to my purchases if I deauthorize my computer?

Your purchases don't disappear. They remain in your iTunes library and your Apple ID account. You straightforward won't be able to play them on that particular computer until you authorize it again. You can still access them on any other authorized computer or device linked to your Apple ID.

Do I need to authorize my phone or iPad?

No. Phones and tablets use a different system. They sign into your Apple ID directly, and that's all you need. Authorization in iTunes applies only to computers running the iTunes process.

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

Yes, anyone using that computer can play the content you've bought, as long as they're logged into your Apple ID or using the computer while it's authorized. This is why you should only authorize computers you personally control and trust.

How do I check how many computers I have authorized?

Open iTunes, go to Account, and click "View My Account" or "Account Information." You'll see a section showing how many of your five computers are currently authorized. This page also shows where you can deauthorize all computers at once if needed.