Q: It says I've authorized (max) 5 computers. I don't remember authorizing one.

Yes. Just to break down how user-unfriendly and top-down this is, consider the fact that Apple knows precisely which computers have been authorized, because they enable us to deauthorize all of them. Hence there is a specific way to contact and identify each computer. But Apple will not allow you (the customer) to see which specific computers are authorized. You are not worthy. You cannot be trusted to manage your own account.

And because Apple allows you to deauthorize ALL accounts, some malicious person with access to your Apple ID could mess you up quite handily. So these rules are not in place for security reasons.

I've got the maximum amount too, and my MacBook is no longer one of them. (Which is a separate issue: how the **** did that happen?) So what is  authorized? Does it include my Xbox? The ancient PC that I never use? My wife's iPad? My son's iPad Mini? The cable box that I plug my phone into to recharge it? The only way I can get my main machine -- the really important one -- back into the mix is to deauthorize all my other devices, which will have God knows what sort of annoying reauthorization repercussions.

Apple is becoming Microsoft.

vmd wrote:

 

Oh, and who the heck is vmd?    Wow.

You are

De-authorize all then re-authorize the ones you want to be authorized. Only you can authorize a machine so regardless of your memory, you did it. Just as only you can choose your username (vmd)

Well yeah, that's exactly what the procedure is, Csound1. It's just a rotten procedure because it doesn't allow us to choose: it's all or nothing. I mean, I'd like to see what I'm doing before I pull the trigger on something -- I guess I'm just crazy that way.

I just remember which ones I authorized, it's easier that way.

The problem with that "solution: is that Apple only allows you deauthorize all your computers once a year. And, it seems, that anytime we upgrade the software, iTunes decides that computer has not been authorized. But you can't authorize it because you've reached your max, one of which is this computer is counted as authorized but not authorized. (and no you can't reauthorize it)

I have used Apple products since 1982, but more and more I feel like they simply don't work properly.

Maps. Apple Music . This. It makes it hard to use the computers at all.

Tell Apple, I can't change it (and don't want to frankly)