How to authorize a computer on iTunes

One great feature of iPads and iPhones is that you’ll never need to authorize iTunes like you would on a computer. You can simply log in and start making purchases. However, you’ll have to authorize your new MacBook or PC if you want to purchase new music or movies. Here are the steps to follow on both Windows 10 and macOS to get you started.

See also: How to use iTunes on a Chromebook

It’s helpful to know that you can have as many iOS devices as you want attached to your Apple ID. You can buy songs and other content on all of them. However, you’re limited to just five authorized computers at any one time. Here’s everything you need to know.

How to authorize iTunes on a Windows 10 computer

Windows users can tap into iTunes in two different ways. You can grab the traditional desktop software in either 32-bit or 64-bit formats, or download the iTunes app through the Microsoft store. In our case, we’re going to use the app. The process is essentially the same to authorize your computer on Itunes with both platforms, and you’ll mainly need the Account tab. Here are the steps:

1. Open iTunes and log in with your Apple ID.
2. Head up to the Account tab in the menu bar and open the dropdown menu.
3. Select the Authorizations option.
4. Click on Authorize This Computer.
5. Enter your password to confirm your decision, then click on the Authorize button or hit Enter.

There you go, one Windows computer authorized for your iTunes account. If you change your mind and want to deauthorize the same machine, follow the first three steps above. Once you reach the Authorizations section, choose Deauthorize This Computer instead.

See also: How to start a podcast on iTunes

How to authorize a macOS computer

You almost certainly already have iTunes installed on your macOS computer, and you’ll be happy to know that the authorization process is just as easy as the one above. You’ll once again rely on the account tab, and follow these steps:

1. Open iTunes and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Head to the Account section of the menu bar at the top of your screen.
3. Scroll down to the Authorizations section.
4. Choose Authorize This Computer.
5. Enter your password and then hit Enter or click the Authorize button.

Now you’ve authorized your macOS computer on iTunes. If you want to deauthorize your mac, follow the first three steps above. Once you reach Authorizations, choose Deauthorize This Computer instead.

Check your authorizations

If you’ve tried in vain to authorize a device and iTunes keeps rejecting you, you may have reached your limit. Like we said previously, the limit for authorized devices is five, so you may have to remove an old laptop or desktop. You can check which devices you have authorized pretty easily, and then we can help you update your authorizations.

The easiest way to check how many devices you have authorized is with the Computer Authorizations section of iTunes. It will only show up when you have more than one authorized computer on iTunes, so that can be your first indicator. If you find that you have five authorized computers, you can select the Deauthorize All button to clear all five and reauthorize manually.

Of course, you can also remove each device individually if you still have access to it. Here’s how to find the Computer Authorizations screen on both Windows and macOS.

Find Computer Authorizations

The steps are the same on both Windows and macOS if you want to find your current computer authorizations. Here are the steps you’ll have to follow:

1. Open iTunes and sign in with your Apple ID if you haven’t already.
2. Navigate to the Account section of the menu bar.
3. Click on View My Account and enter your password when prompted.
4. Scroll to the Apple ID Summary section of your account information. You should see Computer Authorizations as well as a number indicating your devices.

Manage your devices

If you’ve found your list of authorized devices, it’s pretty easy to get rid of one or two of them to free up space. Once again, the process is the same for both Windows and macOS, and you can follow most of the steps from the above section. Once you reach the Apple ID Summary in your account, follow these steps:

1. Scroll further down to iTunes in the Cloud where you should see Manage Devices.
2. Click on the Manage Devices button.
3. Now you should see all of your authorized Windows, macOS, and iOS devices.
4. Deauthorize devices that you no longer use or no longer have access to.

There you go, everything you could need to know about how to authorize a computer on iTunes. You should be able to keep your devices in check without any problems.