How to authorize or deauthorize your computer with your Apple ID

Authorizing and deauthorizing a computer allows you to manage which computers can sync or use apps, audiobooks, books, music, movies, or other content you've purchased from the iTunes Store.

You can use or sync your purchases from the iTunes Store on up to five different computers (these can be any mix of Macintosh or Windows-compatible computers). When you sync or play an item you've purchased, your computer is "authorized" for purchase using your Apple ID.

To authorize a computer using your Apple ID

1. Open iTunes
2. From the Store menu, choose Authorize This Computer. (In earlier versions of iTunes, access this option from the Advanced menu).
3. When prompted, enter your Apple ID and password, then click Authorize.

To deauthorize a computer using your Apple ID

1. Open iTunes.
2. From the Store menu, choose Deauthorize This Computer. (In earlier versions of iTunes, access this option from the Advanced menu).
3. When prompted, enter your Apple ID and password, then click Deauthorize.

Remember to deauthorize your computer before you sell it, give it away, or get your computer serviced. Also, make sure you deauthorize your computer before you upgrade your RAM, hard disk or other system components, or reinstall Windows. If you do not deauthorize your computer before you upgrade these components, one computer may use multiple authorizations.

To deauthorize all computers associated with your Apple ID

If you need to authorize your new computer and are unable due to already having five authorized computers, you can deauthorize all computers by doing the following:

1. Click iTunes Store on the left side of iTunes.
2. If you're not signed in to the store, click the Account button, then enter your account name and password.
3. Click the Account button again (your Apple ID appears on the button), enter your password, and then click View Account.
4. In the Account Information window, click Deauthorize All.

Note: You may only use this feature once per year. The Deauthorize All button will not appear if you have fewer than two authorized computers.