jedicpa

Q: how many macs can share an apple id

I have 10 macs in my office.  I have been setting up file vault 2 and was going to use the same apple id across the macs so that I can revoke the recovery key if ever necessary.  How many makes can use the same apple id? 

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), seed version 10.10.4

Posted on May 30, 2015 5:30 AM

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Q: how many macs can share an apple id

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  • by Averythomas,

    Averythomas Averythomas May 30, 2015 5:41 AM in response to jedicpa
    Level 4 (1,472 points)
    May 30, 2015 5:41 AM in response to jedicpa

    You can link them all to the same iCloud account and remove them at any time from iCloud.com

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root May 30, 2015 1:49 PM in response to jedicpa
    Level 9 (73,524 points)
    iTunes
    May 30, 2015 1:49 PM in response to jedicpa

    Basically as many as you want.

  • by Kurt Lang,

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang May 30, 2015 3:32 PM in response to jedicpa
    Level 8 (37,999 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 30, 2015 3:32 PM in response to jedicpa

    Up to 10 Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, Macs) can be authorized to use the same App Store account. You can de-authorize older hardware if necessary to make room for a new one.

     

    I'll have to paraphrase since I can't remember the exact wording, but if you login to the App Store from another Apple device on the same ID, you'll get a message that says something like, "Another device is already associated with this account. Do you want to authorize this device to use the same ID?" You then fill in the appropriate user ID name (typically your email address) and password.

     

    Ten may be wrong. I though it was five for one account, but 10 was the info I could find in a somewhat quick search.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root May 31, 2015 4:30 PM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 9 (73,524 points)
    iTunes
    May 31, 2015 4:30 PM in response to Kurt Lang
  • by Kurt Lang,

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang May 31, 2015 6:50 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 8 (37,999 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 31, 2015 6:50 PM in response to Eric Root

    That's it! I knew there was a limit of 5 for something. Thanks for the reminder.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 1, 2015 4:54 PM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 9 (73,524 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 1, 2015 4:54 PM in response to Kurt Lang

    You are welcome.

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Jun 2, 2015 3:42 AM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 9 (50,717 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 2, 2015 3:42 AM in response to Kurt Lang

    Both restrictions refer to content downloaded from the iTunes Store. The Mac App Store has different terms depending on the Software. 

  • by Kurt Lang,

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Jun 2, 2015 6:24 AM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 8 (37,999 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 2, 2015 6:24 AM in response to Barney-15E

    It is confusing, even when you find info on it right on Apple's site. One somewhat generic phrase:

     

    Any time you set up a new device or access an Apple service, you'll be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and password. After you sign in, you'll gain access to the service and all the personal information in your account.

     

    No mention of how many devices you can do this with. Then there's the Family Plan, which I do know is different:

     

    With Family Sharing, one adult in the family—the family organizer—agrees to pay for any iTunes, iBooks, and App Store purchases that other family members initiate while they're part of the family group.

     

    On person (presumably an adult), gives the go ahead for up to six people in one household to make as many purchases as they want on one App Store ID, using one credit card.

     

    But the main info is here, which I couldn't find last time I looked. You can have a total of 10 devices on one Apple ID. A maximum of five of which can be Macs.

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Jun 2, 2015 9:02 AM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 9 (50,717 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 2, 2015 9:02 AM in response to Kurt Lang

    Again, that. Refers only to iTunes and content downloaded from the iTunes Store. It has nothing to do with the Mac App Store which governs OS X software that runs on a Mac. 

    The use of the OS and its bundled software, when purchased from the Mac App Store is governed by this license: http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/OSX10103.pdf

     

    There is no limit to the number of Macs you can own or control, thus there is no limit to the number of Macs licensed under the one AppleID.  The original question has nothing to do with iTunes Store content Restrictions.

  • by Kurt Lang,

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Jun 2, 2015 9:12 AM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 8 (37,999 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 2, 2015 9:12 AM in response to Barney-15E
    There is no limit to the number of Macs you can own or control,

    Of course not. Buy a million of them if you want.

     

    thus there is no limit to the number of Macs licensed under the one AppleID.

     

    Sorry, but there is. The link I provided on Apple's site specifically states no more than 10 Apple devices under one Apple ID.

    The original question has nothing to do with iTunes Store content Restrictions.

    I know that. I've never mentioned iTunes, other than to acknowledge Eric's note that no more than five devices can be tied to one iTunes account.

  • by Kurt Lang,

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Jun 2, 2015 12:19 PM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 8 (37,999 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 2, 2015 12:19 PM in response to Kurt Lang

    Oh, duh! I see what you mean, Barney. Don't know how I missed the big note about iTunes at the top. I was just looking for text that said how many devices can be on one Apple ID. Which is a confusing way for that page to say it. But still, it does say no more than 10 devices on one Apple ID, which you need to use for both iTunes and the App Store. Unless of course you create separate IDs for each.