What authorizing a computer in iTunes actually does

Authorizing a computer in iTunes lets you play music, movies, and TV shows you bought from Apple on that specific device. When you buy something from the iTunes Store, Apple attaches it to your Apple ID. Authorization is the step that says "this computer belongs to the person with this Apple ID, so it's okay to play the content here."

Without authorization, you can still see your purchases in your library, but you won't be able to play them. The system exists so you can use your purchases on multiple devices — up to five computers at once — without giving your password to every device you own or letting anyone with access to your computer play your paid content.

On newer Macs and Windows computers running recent versions of iTunes or the Apple Music app, authorization happens automatically the first time you sign in with your Apple ID. On older versions or if you're setting up a device someone else used before, you may need to authorize manually.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorization connects your Apple ID to a specific computer so you can play music, movies, and TV shows you bought from iTunes on that device.
  • You can authorize up to five computers at the same time under one Apple ID.
  • On current versions of iTunes and the Apple Music app, authorization usually happens automatically when you sign in with your Apple ID.
  • If you need to authorize manually, the option is in the Account menu on Windows or the Account menu on Mac.

How to authorize on a Mac

Open the Apple Music app or iTunes (depending on which version of macOS you're running). In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click Account, then look for Authorization or Authorize This Computer. A window will appear asking for your Apple ID and password.

Type in the Apple ID email address and password associated with the iTunes purchases you want to play. Click Authorize. The computer is now linked to that Apple ID, and you can play any content bought under that account. If you're already signed in with your Apple ID in the app, you may see a message saying the computer is already authorized instead.

If you don't see an Account menu, you're likely using a very recent version of macOS. Try clicking the menu in the top-left corner of the app window itself — the three horizontal lines or dots — and look for Account or Settings there.

How to authorize on Windows

Open iTunes on your Windows computer. At the top of the window, click Account in the menu bar. Select Authorization, then Authorize This Computer. A dialog box will open asking for your Apple ID and password.

Enter the Apple ID email and password for the account that owns the iTunes purchases you want to play. Click Authorize. Your computer is now set up to play that content. If you see a message saying the computer is already authorized, no further action is needed.

On some Windows versions, the Account menu may be hidden. If you don't see it, look for an Edit menu or a settings icon (usually three horizontal lines) at the top of the iTunes window and check there for Account options.

What to do if authorization fails

If you get an error message when trying to authorize, the most common cause is an incorrect Apple ID or password. Double-check that you're using the exact email address and password for the Apple ID that purchased the content. If you've forgotten your password, visit iforgot.apple.com to reset it before trying again.

If the password is correct but authorization still fails, your internet connection may be the problem. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet and try again. If you're on a work or school network, a firewall may be blocking the authorization request — try connecting to a different network to test.

If you've authorized five computers already under this Apple ID and need to use a sixth, you'll need to deauthorize one of the others first. You can deauthorize a computer through the same Account menu, or you can deauthorize all computers at once through your Apple ID account settings on Apple's website.

Deauthorizing a computer you no longer use

If you're selling, giving away, or recycling a computer, deauthorize it first so that Apple ID slot opens up for a new device. Open iTunes or Apple Music, go to Account in the menu bar, find Authorization, and select Deauthorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted.

If you can't access the computer anymore — it's broken, lost, or you no longer have it — you can deauthorize it remotely. Sign in to your Apple ID account at appleid.apple.com, go to Devices, find the computer in the list, and click Remove. This frees up that authorization slot without needing the physical computer.

Why you might need to reauthorize

Sometimes a computer loses its authorization after a software update, a major change to your system, or if you haven't used iTunes in a long time. If you suddenly can't play your purchases and get a message saying the computer isn't authorized, straightforward go through the authorization process again using the steps above.

If you change your Apple ID password, your authorized computers will keep working — you don't need to reauthorize them. However, if you sign out of your Apple ID in iTunes and then sign back in, the computer may ask you to authorize again as a security step.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. One computer can only be authorized with one Apple ID at a time. If you need to switch to a different Apple ID, you'll need to deauthorize the computer first, then authorize it with the new account. Content from the previous account won't play after you switch.

What happens if I authorize a computer and then someone else uses it?

They can play any iTunes purchases made under your Apple ID on that computer. If you want to prevent this, deauthorize the computer before handing it over. They can then authorize it with their own Apple ID if they have iTunes purchases.

Do I need to authorize my iPhone or iPad?

No. iPhones and iPads authorize automatically when you sign in with your Apple ID in the Settings app. The authorization process described here applies only to computers running iTunes or the Apple Music app.

What if I've lost access to an old computer I authorized?

Sign in to appleid.apple.com, go to the Devices section, find the computer in the list, and click Remove. This deauthorizes it without needing the physical device and frees up that authorization slot for a new computer.