Authorization FAQ
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What is authorization?
Songs purchased on the iTunes Store can be copied to an unlimited number of computers. However, only five computers at a time can play your iTunes DRM-protected music*.
You can enable a computer to play your purchased music by authorizing it. You can remove a computer from the authorization list by deauthorizing it. Deauthorizing your computer does not erase your music files; it simply prevents your purchased music from playing until you authorize that computer again.
* iTunes DRM-protected music includes audio with a bit rate of 128 kbit/s and allows users to transfer songs and videos to up to five computers, burn seven copies of the same playlist to CD, and sync to an unlimited number of iPods.
iTunes Plus music refers to songs and music videos available in our highest-quality 256 kbit/s AAC encoding (twice the current bit rate of 128 kbit/s), and without digital rights management (DRM). There are no burn limits and iTunes Plus music will play on all iPods, Mac or Windows computers, Apple TVs, and many other digital music players.
How do I authorize my computers?
To authorize a computer, simply play a purchased song on your computer. The first time you authorize your computer, you'll need to enter your iTunes account name and password. For more information, check out our step-by-step instructions.
When should I deauthorize my computer?
Please deauthorize your computer before you send it for repair, upgrade it, sell it or give it away. To deauthorize a computer, choose Deauthorize Computer from the Store menu in iTunes.
How do I deauthorize all of my computers?
If you have authorized five computers, a button labeled "Deauthorize All" will appear in your Account Information screen. This button will deauthorize all computers associated with your account. You can then reauthorize up to 5 computers. Note: You can only use this feature once a year.
Why can't I authorize one of my computers?
Check to see if you have 5 computers authorized. If you do, you'll need to deauthorize one or all computers to be able to authorize an additional computer. Next, make sure you're attempting to authorize the song using your correct account name.
Do I need to authorize my iPods?
No, you do not need to authorize your iPods. Your purchased music needs to be authorized on your computer before you copy it to your iPod. For more information on copying and playing your purchased music on your iPod, check out our iPod FAQ.