Most of us have experienced the frustration of not being able to authorize our iTunes accounts on new devices due to limitations on the number of authorized computers. Whether you’ve purchased a new computer, replaced an old one, or have a computer that is no longer functional, it’s important to know how to deauthorize iTunes on these old or dead computers. In this blog post, we will explore various methods to help you remove the authorization from these devices, allowing you to authorize your iTunes account on new and active computers.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Deauthorize iTunes on Old Or Dead Computers
There are several reasons why you might need to deauthorize iTunes on old or dead computers. Firstly, there is a limit to the number of computers that can be authorized to use your iTunes account. This limit is set at five computers by default. If you have reached this limit, you won’t be able to authorize your account on any new computers until you deauthorize the old ones.
Secondly, deauthorizing iTunes on old or dead computers is essential for security purposes. If a computer is lost, stolen, or no longer used, it’s crucial to remove the authorization to access your iTunes account. This prevents unauthorized access and ensures the safety of your personal information.
Lastly, deauthorizing iTunes on old or dead computers allows you to reclaim authorization slots for use on new devices. By freeing up these slots, you can authorize your iTunes account on your current devices without any limitations.
Method 1: How to Deauthorize iTunes via Computer
To deauthorize iTunes on a computer, follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch iTunes on the computer you want to deauthorize.
Step 2: Go to the "Account" tab in the iTunes menu bar.
Step 3: Select "Authorizations" from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Click on "Deauthorize This Computer."
Step 5: Enter your Apple ID and password to confirm the deauthorization.
Pros:
1. Easy and straightforward process to deauthorize iTunes on a specific computer.
2. Allows you to reclaim an authorization slot for use on another device.
Cons:
1. Requires access to the computer in order to deauthorize it.
Method 2: How to Deauthorize iTunes via iTunes Store
To deauthorize iTunes via the iTunes Store, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the iTunes Store on the computer you want to deauthorize.
Step 2: Click on your profile icon in the upper-right corner of the iTunes Store window.
Step 3: Select "Account" from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Scroll down to the "iTunes in the Cloud" section.
Step 5: Locate the "Manage Devices" option and click on it.
Step 6: Find the computer you want to deauthorize and click on the "Remove" button next to it.
Step 7: Click on "Done" to confirm the deauthorization.
Pros:
1. Allows you to deauthorize iTunes on a specific computer without launching iTunes itself.
2. Can be done from any computer with internet access.
Cons:
1. Requires you to sign in to your iTunes account on the iTunes Store.
Method 3: How to Deauthorize iTunes via Apple ID Account Website
To deauthorize iTunes via the Apple ID account website, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the Apple ID account website (appleid.apple.com).
Step 2: Sign in using your Apple ID and password.
Step 3: Scroll down to the "Devices" section and click on "iTunes."
Step 4: Find the computer you want to deauthorize and click on the "Remove" button next to it.
Step 5: Click on "Done" to confirm the deauthorization.
Pros:
1. Provides an alternative method to deauthorize iTunes without accessing the computer or launching iTunes.
2. Can be done from any device with internet access.
Cons:
1. Requires signing in to your Apple ID account on the website.
Method 4: How to Deauthorize iTunes via Authorized Computers
If you have access to one of your authorized computers, you can deauthorize iTunes from there. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch iTunes on the authorized computer.
Step 2: Go to the "Account" tab in the iTunes menu bar.
Step 3: Select "Authorizations" from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Click on "Deauthorize This Computer."
Step 5: Enter your Apple ID and password to confirm the deauthorization.
Pros:
1. Allows you to deauthorize iTunes from an authorized computer without needing additional access.
2. Provides an option if you can’t access the old or dead computer directly.
Cons:
1. Requires having access to one of your authorized computers.
What to Do If You Can’t Deauthorize iTunes
If you encounter difficulties in deauthorizing iTunes on old or dead computers using the above methods, there are a few fixes you can try:
1. Contact Apple Support: Reach out to Apple Support for assistance with deauthorizing iTunes on problematic computers. They can guide you through the process or manually remove the authorization for you.
2. Authorize a New Computer: If you’ve reached the maximum number of authorized computers, you can wait until one of the currently authorized computers is no longer in use or remove an old computer that you no longer need authorization for.
3. Reformat the Computer: If the old or dead computer is still functional, reformatting the hard drive will erase all data, including the authorization. However, this method should only be used if you have backed up all important files and are comfortable with reinstalling the operating system.
Bonus Tips
Here are some bonus tips to help you with deauthorizing iTunes on old or dead computers:
1. Keep Track of Authorized Computers: Regularly review and manage the list of authorized computers associated with your iTunes account to ensure it reflects your current devices.
2. Deauthorize Before Selling or Giving Away Computers: If you plan to sell or give away a computer, remember to deauthorize iTunes first to prevent the new owner from accessing your iTunes account.
3. Regularly Review Your iTunes Account: Periodically review your iTunes account settings to ensure everything is up to date and remove any unwanted authorizations.
5 FAQs
Q1: How many computers can I authorize with my iTunes account?
A1: By default, you can authorize up to five computers to use your iTunes account.
Q2: Can I deauthorize all computers at once?
A2: No, you cannot deauthorize all computers at once. You can only deauthorize individual computers using the provided methods.
Q3: Can I reauthorize a computer after deauthorizing it?
A3: Yes, after deauthorizing a computer, you can reauthorize it again if needed.
Q4: Will deauthorizing iTunes delete my media library?
A4: No, deauthorizing iTunes does not affect your media library or any files stored on your computer.
Q5: Can I deauthorize iTunes remotely?
A5: Yes, you can deauthorize iTunes remotely through methods such as the iTunes Store or Apple ID account website.
Final Thoughts
Deauthorizing iTunes on old or dead computers is a necessary step to free up authorization slots and maintain the security of your iTunes account. By following the methods outlined in this blog post, you can easily remove the authorization from these devices and authorize your iTunes account on new and active computers. Remember to keep track of your authorized computers and regularly review your iTunes account settings to ensure everything is up to date.