iTunes, a staple for managing Apple devices and media libraries for years, can sometimes throw frustrating errors. One of the most persistent and perplexing is the “This computer is not authorized” message. This error prevents you from playing purchased content, syncing your devices, or even backing up your iPhone or iPad. Understanding the root causes and how to fix them is crucial for maintaining a smooth Apple ecosystem experience.
Understanding iTunes Authorization and Its Importance
iTunes authorization is a digital rights management (DRM) system that Apple uses to protect its copyrighted content. When you purchase music, movies, or TV shows from the iTunes Store, Apple grants you the right to play that content on a limited number of devices and computers. This authorization process verifies that you are a legitimate purchaser and prevents unauthorized sharing of copyrighted material.
Authorizing your computer essentially links it to your Apple ID, allowing it to access and play content purchased with that account. Each Apple ID can authorize up to five computers. This limitation is in place to prevent widespread piracy, but it can become problematic when you frequently upgrade your hardware or reinstall your operating system.
If your computer is not authorized, iTunes will refuse to play purchased content, display an error message, and restrict your ability to sync devices. This situation can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’ve paid for the content and expect it to be readily available.
Common Reasons for Authorization Issues
Several factors can trigger the “This computer is not authorized” error in iTunes. Identifying the specific cause is the first step toward resolving the issue.
Multiple Apple IDs
One of the most common reasons is using multiple Apple IDs. Perhaps you have an older Apple ID you used years ago and a newer one you use now. If you purchased content with the older ID and are currently logged into iTunes with the newer one, iTunes won’t recognize your authorization.
Make sure you are logged in to iTunes with the same Apple ID you used to purchase the content you are trying to play. This often involves checking your purchase history to confirm the Apple ID used for specific items.
Exceeding the Authorization Limit
As mentioned earlier, each Apple ID can authorize a maximum of five computers. If you’ve reached this limit, you’ll need to deauthorize one of your existing computers before authorizing a new one. It’s easy to lose track of authorized computers over time, especially if you’ve upgraded hardware or reinstalled your operating system.
Regularly review your authorized computers and deauthorize any that you no longer use. This prevents you from hitting the authorization limit and avoids unnecessary troubleshooting.
Software Glitches and Corrupted Files
Software glitches within iTunes itself or corrupted files related to the authorization process can also cause problems. These issues can arise from incomplete installations, software updates, or conflicts with other programs on your computer.
Ensuring iTunes is up-to-date and free from corrupted files is crucial. Regularly checking for updates and performing a clean reinstall of iTunes can often resolve these types of problems.
Firewall and Security Software Interference
Firewall settings and security software can sometimes interfere with the iTunes authorization process. These programs may mistakenly block iTunes from communicating with Apple’s servers, preventing authorization from being completed successfully.
Temporarily disabling your firewall and security software can help determine if they are the source of the problem. If disabling them resolves the issue, you’ll need to configure them to allow iTunes to communicate freely with Apple’s servers.
Operating System Issues
Underlying issues with your computer’s operating system can also lead to iTunes authorization errors. Problems with system files, user account permissions, or even the system clock can all interfere with the authorization process.
Ensuring your operating system is up-to-date and free from errors is essential. Running system file checks and ensuring your user account has the necessary permissions can often resolve these types of issues.
Troubleshooting Steps to Resolve Authorization Problems
Now that we’ve explored the common causes, let’s delve into the specific steps you can take to resolve the “This computer is not authorized” error in iTunes.
Verifying Your Apple ID
The first step is to confirm that you are logged into iTunes with the correct Apple ID. Go to the “Account” menu in iTunes and select “View My Account.” Verify that the Apple ID displayed matches the one you used to purchase the content you’re trying to access.
If you’re unsure which Apple ID you used, check your email for purchase receipts from the iTunes Store. The receipt will clearly indicate the Apple ID associated with the purchase. If you’re using the wrong Apple ID, sign out and sign back in with the correct one.
Deauthorizing All Computers
If you suspect you’ve exceeded the five-computer authorization limit, the quickest solution is to deauthorize all computers associated with your Apple ID and then reauthorize the ones you’re currently using.
To deauthorize all computers, go to the “Account” menu in iTunes and select “Deauthorize All Computers.” You may be prompted to enter your Apple ID password. This option is only available once per year, so use it judiciously.
After deauthorizing all computers, authorize your current computer by going to the “Account” menu and selecting “Authorizations” -> “Authorize This Computer.”
Deauthorizing Specific Computers
Alternatively, if you know which computers you no longer use, you can deauthorize them individually. To do this, you’ll need to access the iTunes Store settings on each of those computers. Since you might not have access to those machines anymore, the “Deauthorize All Computers” option is often the more practical solution.
Updating iTunes
Outdated versions of iTunes can contain bugs and compatibility issues that can lead to authorization errors. To ensure you have the latest version, go to the “Help” menu in iTunes and select “Check for Updates.” If an update is available, download and install it.
Restart your computer after updating iTunes to ensure the changes take effect.
Reinstalling iTunes
If updating iTunes doesn’t resolve the issue, a clean reinstall may be necessary. This involves completely removing iTunes from your computer and then reinstalling it from scratch.
First, uninstall iTunes and all related components, including Apple Software Update, Apple Mobile Device Support, Bonjour, and Apple Application Support. Once everything is uninstalled, restart your computer and download the latest version of iTunes from the Apple website.
Install iTunes and then try authorizing your computer again.
Checking Firewall and Security Software Settings
As mentioned earlier, firewall and security software can sometimes block iTunes from communicating with Apple’s servers. Temporarily disable your firewall and security software to see if that resolves the issue.
If disabling these programs fixes the problem, you’ll need to configure them to allow iTunes to communicate freely. Consult the documentation for your specific firewall and security software for instructions on how to do this. You’ll generally need to create exceptions for iTunes and related Apple processes.
Running System File Checker (Windows)
On Windows computers, corrupted system files can sometimes interfere with iTunes authorization. You can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan for and repair corrupted system files.
To run SFC, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type “sfc /scannow” (without the quotes). Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete. This process may take some time.
If SFC finds and repairs any corrupted files, restart your computer and try authorizing your computer in iTunes again.
Creating a New User Account
In some cases, issues with your user account permissions can cause iTunes authorization problems. Creating a new user account with administrator privileges can help determine if this is the case.
Create a new user account on your computer and then log in to that account. Launch iTunes and try authorizing your computer. If authorization works successfully under the new user account, it indicates that there’s a problem with your original user account. You may need to transfer your data and settings to the new account to resolve the issue permanently.
Resetting the SC Info Folder
The SC Info folder contains authorization information for iTunes. Resetting this folder can sometimes resolve authorization problems.
- Close iTunes.
- Navigate to the iTunes folder. This is typically located in your Music folder.
- Find the SC Info folder.
- Drag the SC Info folder to the trash (or recycle bin).
- Restart your computer.
- Open iTunes and try authorizing your computer again. A new SC Info folder will be created.
Note: In some operating systems, the SC Info folder might be hidden. You may need to enable the display of hidden files and folders to find it.
Checking Date and Time Settings
Incorrect date and time settings on your computer can sometimes interfere with the iTunes authorization process. Make sure your computer’s date, time, and time zone are set correctly.
Incorrect settings can cause communication issues with Apple’s servers, preventing authorization from being completed successfully.
When to Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all of the troubleshooting steps above and are still unable to authorize your computer in iTunes, it may be time to contact Apple Support. They can provide more advanced troubleshooting assistance and help you resolve any underlying account issues.
Before contacting Apple Support, gather as much information as possible about the problem. This includes the specific error message you’re seeing, the steps you’ve already taken to troubleshoot the issue, and any other relevant details. This information will help Apple Support diagnose the problem more quickly and efficiently.
Preventing Future Authorization Issues
While troubleshooting authorization problems can be frustrating, there are steps you can take to prevent them from occurring in the future.
Keep iTunes updated: Regularly check for updates and install them promptly.
Avoid using multiple Apple IDs: Stick to a single Apple ID for all your purchases.
Deauthorize unused computers: Regularly review your authorized computers and deauthorize any that you no longer use.
Back up your iTunes library: Regularly back up your iTunes library to prevent data loss in case of software glitches or hardware failures.
Be mindful of firewall and security software settings: Ensure that your firewall and security software are configured to allow iTunes to communicate freely with Apple’s servers.
By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of encountering iTunes authorization errors and ensure a smoother experience with your Apple devices and media library.
Why am I getting the “This computer is not authorized” error message in iTunes?
The “This computer is not authorized” error in iTunes typically occurs when your computer hasn’t been granted permission to play or sync content purchased with your Apple ID. This can happen for several reasons, including exceeding the maximum number of authorized devices (which is usually five), upgrading your computer’s operating system, or even a simple glitch in the iTunes software. Essentially, iTunes needs to verify that your computer is allowed to access and use the content associated with your account to prevent unauthorized sharing.
To resolve this, you’ll need to explicitly authorize your computer through iTunes. Go to the Account menu and select “Authorizations” and then “Authorize This Computer”. You’ll be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password. If you’ve reached the limit of five authorized computers, you may need to deauthorize some of them before authorizing your current one.
How many computers can I authorize with my Apple ID?
Apple allows you to authorize a maximum of five computers with a single Apple ID. This limitation is in place to prevent widespread sharing of purchased content across multiple devices and accounts. It’s important to manage your authorized computers carefully to ensure you can access your purchased music, movies, and other media on the devices you use most frequently.
If you need to authorize a new computer and you’ve already reached the limit, you’ll need to deauthorize one of your existing authorized computers. To do this, open iTunes on the computer you want to deauthorize, go to the Account menu, select “Authorizations,” and then choose “Deauthorize This Computer.” You can also “Deauthorize All” from within the Account Information section of iTunes.
What happens when I deauthorize a computer?
Deauthorizing a computer removes its permission to access and play content purchased with your Apple ID. This means that any music, movies, TV shows, or apps purchased with your account that are stored on that computer will no longer be playable until the computer is re-authorized. The files themselves will remain on the computer, but iTunes will recognize that it no longer has permission to access them.
Importantly, deauthorizing a computer only affects content purchased from the iTunes Store. Content imported from CDs, other sources, or not associated with your Apple ID will still be playable. Deauthorization primarily focuses on protecting copyrighted material purchased through Apple’s platform.
I’ve deauthorized all computers but still get the error. What should I do?
Sometimes, even after deauthorizing all computers, the iTunes system may not immediately reflect the changes. This can lead to persistent authorization errors. A common cause is caching or outdated information stored on Apple’s servers. In these cases, simply waiting a few hours or even a day might resolve the issue as the system updates.
If the problem persists, try signing out and then back into your Apple ID within iTunes. This can force the software to refresh its authorization status with Apple’s servers. Additionally, ensure you are using the latest version of iTunes, as older versions might have compatibility issues or bugs that could contribute to the error.
Does upgrading my operating system affect my iTunes authorization?
Upgrading your operating system can sometimes affect your iTunes authorization, although it’s not always a guaranteed outcome. A significant OS upgrade might change the system’s identifier in a way that iTunes perceives as a new or unauthorized computer. This is especially true if the upgrade involves substantial changes to the underlying hardware or software architecture.
If you encounter authorization problems after an OS upgrade, try re-authorizing your computer through iTunes as described earlier. In some cases, a clean installation of the operating system might completely reset the authorization, requiring you to deauthorize all previous instances and re-authorize only the current one. Always back up your iTunes library before making major system changes to avoid data loss.
How do I authorize or deauthorize my computer if I can’t access iTunes on that computer anymore?
If you can’t access iTunes on a specific computer to deauthorize it (perhaps it’s broken or no longer in your possession), you can use the “Deauthorize All” option. This option is accessible through your Apple ID account settings. However, Apple only allows you to use this option once per year, so use it judiciously.
To access this option, sign in to your Apple ID account page on appleid.apple.com. Navigate to the “Devices” section, find the device you want to remove, and then remove it. If that doesn’t work, log into your Apple ID account on a working computer using iTunes. Navigate to the “Account” menu and then select “View My Account.” You will then see an option to “Deauthorize All” computers. Keep in mind the yearly limitation.
What can I do if none of these solutions work and I still can’t authorize my computer?
If you’ve exhausted all common troubleshooting steps and are still facing authorization issues, it’s time to contact Apple Support directly. They have access to more advanced diagnostic tools and can investigate potential account-specific problems that might be preventing proper authorization. Be prepared to provide them with your Apple ID and details about the error message you’re receiving.
Apple Support may also be able to identify and resolve underlying issues with your Apple ID or the iTunes system that are causing the problem. They might also have specific solutions or workarounds tailored to your situation. Ensure you have documentation of the steps you’ve already taken to troubleshoot the issue, as this will help them understand the context and provide more efficient assistance.