To access your purchased music, movies, and other media on a computer, you must first authorize it on iTunes or Apple Music. Authorizing a computer also allows you to share your media with other devices on your network, as long as you use the same Apple ID. Here’s how to authorize a Mac, a Windows computer, and an iPhone to play iTunes store purchases.
When you buy or download content from iTunes, it is protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM), which ensures that the content is only accessible to those who have the necessary authorization. In other words, DRM prevents you from sharing your purchased music, movies, or TV shows with anyone.
iTunes Authorized refers to devices that have been granted permission to access the content you’ve purchased from iTunes. Each iTunes account can authorize up to five devices. Your computer, iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Apple TV are examples of such gadgets.
You won’t be able to access any of the stuff you’ve purchased if you use iTunes on an unauthorized device. That is why it is critical to understand which devices are approved and how to control them.
Furthermore, if you intend to share your iTunes library with relatives or friends, you must ensure that their devices are also authorized. You wouldn’t want to deprive them of the latest movie you just bought, would you?
- You can authorize up to five computers to play your iTunes Store purchases at the same time.
- Each computer you authorize counts as one authorization, even if you authorize the same computer more than once.
- If you have five authorized computers and want to add a new one, you must first deauthorize one of them.
- You can only authorize a computer to which you have physical access. A computer cannot be authorized using another computer or an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- You may authenticate your Mac through the Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Books apps. You can access all of your iTunes Store purchases once you authorize your Mac in one of these apps.
You won’t be able to access your music, movies, or other stuff on iTunes if your computer isn’t authorized. The methods to authorize your computer to play your iTunes Store purchases are listed below. Users are unable to view anything purchased on iTunes until their computer is fully licensed for iTunes or Apple Music.
Because you can currently authorize up to five computers on iTunes, it’s equally necessary to deauthorize outdated and useless devices to make place for new ones. Another restriction is that you can only authorize the same computer with a separate Apple ID once every 90 days.
If you have iTunes downloaded and installed on your device, authorizing Windows computers is a reasonably straightforward process.
Step 1: Authorizing a computer is very simple. Launch iTunes after you’ve downloaded and installed the most recent version.
Step 2: For Windows users, open iTunes and navigate to the iTunes Store. Alternatively, you can activate the iTunes menu bar by holding down the “Control” + “B” buttons on your keyboard. Then click the Authorize This Computer button.
For Mac users, select Store > Authorize This Computer from the menu bar at the top of your computer screen.
Step 3: To complete the process, sign in with your Apple ID and click Authorize. Your computer will then be able to download, sync, and play the iTunes content you’ve purchased.
Please keep in mind that if you did not deauthorize your computer before reinstalling Windows or upgrading your RAM, hard disk, or other system components, your machine may be using several authorizations. Deauthorize your computer several times until it is no longer authorized, then authorize it again, and it will only utilize one authorization.
Open the iTunes app and select Account from the menu bar to enable your Windows PC to play your iTunes Store purchases. Then, on the Sign-In screen, enter your Apple ID and password. Then, go back to Account, hover over Authorizations, and select Authorize This Computer.
- Launch the iTunes application on your Windows 10 computer.
- Next, select Account. This will be visible at the top of your iTunes window.
- Next, click Sign In.
- Sign in using your Apple ID and password.
- Next, click Account once more.
- Finally, select Authorizations and click Authorize This Computer.
If you experienced trouble authorizing your Windows computer, see the section below on how to deauthorize all of your computers.
Step 1: Launch iTunes on the computer to be deauthorized. Please keep in mind that if your computer stops working or you don’t have one, you must deauthorize all computers and then reauthorize the ones you currently use.
Step 2: In iTunes, open the menu bar by clicking iTunes Store. Then, under Account, select Deauthorize This Computer.
If you’re using a Mac, go to the menu bar at the top of your screen and select Account > Deauthorize This Computer.
Step 3: Enter your Apple ID and password when requested. Click Deauthorize.
If you sold or gave away a computer without first deauthorizing it, or if your computer no longer works, you must deauthorize any computers associated with your iTunes account. You can accomplish this by resetting your list of authorized iTunes computers in Apple’s database.
To deactivate all computers:
- Launch iTunes. Enter your Apple ID and password after clicking Sign In.
- Select Account Info from the menu by clicking your name.
- Retype your password. Scroll down to the column titled “Apple ID Summary.” Click Deauthorize All to the right of Computer Authorizations.
The Deauthorize All button can only be used once per year. Following its use, attempt to be more cautious with your authorizations—deauthorize computers before disposing of them, reinstall Windows or update their hardware.
To play or download iTunes Store purchases, you must first authorize your computer with your Apple ID and password. (Authorization aids in the protection of the acquired items’ copyrights.) You can authorize or deauthorize a computer to play your iTunes Store purchases at any time. To approve a computer, you do not need to have an Apple Music subscription.
Follow these procedures to authorize a Mac computer to play iTunes Store purchases:
- Start your Mac and launch iTunes.
- Sign in with your Apple ID to iTunes. Navigate to “Account” and then “Sign In.” Enter your Apple ID and password and click “Sign In.”
- After signing in, return to the “Account” menu and select “Authorizations” and then “Authorize This Computer.”
- A dialog box will pop up, requesting your Apple ID and password. Enter the necessary information and then click “Authorize.”
- Your Mac will now be able to play iTunes Store purchases made using your Apple ID. This procedure can be repeated for up to five computers.
By authorizing your Mac, you assure that you may play any iTunes Store purchases with your Apple ID, such as music, movies, TV shows, or audiobooks. It enables you to access your purchased material from numerous devices that are linked to your Apple ID.
You do not need to undertake any specific permission steps on the iPhone itself to authorize it to use iTunes Store purchases. Instead, you must approve your computer, allowing your iPhone to view and play iTunes Store purchases. Here’s how to go about it:
- Open iTunes on your computer (Mac or Windows).
- Use the USB cord that came with your iPhone to connect it to the computer.
- When prompted, unlock your iPhone and select “Trust This Computer.”
- In iTunes, click the device icon in the upper-left area of the window. It is a representation of your iPhone.
- Scroll down to the “Options” section in the Summary page of your iPhone’s settings in iTunes.
- Navigate to the “Automatic Downloads” section and tick the box next to “Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi” if you wish to allow wireless syncing with iTunes.
- Next, navigate to the “Settings” section on iTunes’ left sidebar and select “Store.”
- Select “Authorize This Computer” from the drop-down menu.
- A dialog window will pop up, requesting your Apple ID and password. Fill up the necessary information and then click “Authorize.”
- iTunes will authorize your computer and connect to the iTunes Store. You’ll be able to sync your iPhone with iTunes and view your iTunes Store purchases after the authorization process is complete.
By authorizing your computer, you give iTunes permission to verify your purchased content and provide you access to it on your iPhone. Authorizing your computer is required to play protected iTunes Store items and properly manage your media library.
If iTunes continues telling you that your computer is not allowed, there are a few possibilities:
- Deauthorized Computer
- Incorrect Apple ID
- Network or Connectivity Issues
- Corrupted iTunes Files
Follow these steps to authorize your computer to view and read books purchased from the Apple Books Store:
- Launch the Apple Books application on your computer. If you don’t already have it, you can get it from the Mac App Store.
- Sign in with your Apple ID to the Apple Books app. Navigate to the “Store” menu and select “Sign In.” Sign in with your Apple ID and password by clicking “Sign In.”
- After signing in, return to the “Store” menu and click “Authorize This Computer.”
- A dialog box will pop up, requesting your Apple ID and password. Fill up the necessary information and then click “Authorize.”
- The Apple Books software will authorize your computer and connect to the Apple Books Store. You will be able to access and read your purchased books on your computer after the authorization process is complete.
How Do I Add a Device to My Itunes Account?
Follow these procedures to add a device to your iTunes account:
- Launch iTunes on your computer (Mac or Windows).
- Using a USB cable, connect the device you want to add to your iTunes account to your computer.
- When prompted, unlock your device and select “Trust This Computer.”
- In iTunes, click the device icon in the upper-left area of the window.
- On the device’s Summary page in iTunes, you’ll see several tabs with various settings and options.
- If you aren’t already there, go to the “Summary” tab.
- Look for the “Automatically Back Up” option in the “Options” section.
- Check the box next to “Sync with this device over Wi-Fi” if you want to allow wireless syncing with iTunes.
- Next, if you wish to sync contacts, calendars, or other information from your device to your iTunes account, go to the “Info” page.
- In the “Apps” menu, select the proper options to sync apps between your device and iTunes.
- Once you’ve made your selections, hit the “Apply” or “Sync” button in the bottom-right corner of the iTunes window. iTunes will begin synchronizing your device and registering it with your iTunes account.
You no longer need to explicitly authorize your iPhone to utilize iTunes as of iOS 5 and newer versions. The permission procedure is only required for computers running iTunes, not for iOS devices such as iPhones.
When you opt to deauthorize all computers in iTunes, the authorization for all computers linked with your Apple ID is revoked. Deauthorizing all computers may have the following consequences:
- Loss of Access to Purchased Content
- Limitation on Authorized Devices
- Inability to Download Past Purchases
- Disconnection from iTunes Services
Why Can’t I Play Music on My Computer?
There could be several reasons why you are unable to play music on your computer. Here are some common troubleshooting procedures to try to remedy the problem:
- Check Audio Output and Volume
- Update Audio Drivers
- Restart the Computer
- Check File Format and Codecs
- Reinstall or Update Media Player
- Disable Audio Enhancements
- Scan for Malware
- Check System Sound Settings
If your music is not permitted, it implies that the device or computer you are using to play it is not recognized as being authorized to access the content.
Conclusion
In summary, by authorizing your computer, you give iTunes permission to validate your purchases and grant you access to your material. This permission is required to play, sync, and manage your iTunes Store purchases on that computer. Your Apple ID can be used to authorize up to five computers.
- How to Turn Off iCloud Music Library: Simple Steps in 2023
- How to Remove an App From iPhone: Detailed Guide
- When Does Target Holiday Return Policy Start? Best Easy Guide
- How to Back Up iPhone to Mac: Detailed Guide
- How to Remove Microsoft Account From Windows 10: Full Guide
References
