HT201251: Authorize your computer in iTunes

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crweisz

Q: Authorize iPod Nano

How do I authorize my iPod nano from iTunes?

Posted on Mar 29, 2016 11:19 AM

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Q: Authorize iPod Nano

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Mar 29, 2016 4:00 PM in response to crweisz
    Level 8 (38,389 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 29, 2016 4:00 PM in response to crweisz

    There is no step to authorize an iPod nano.  You just connect it to your computer running iTunes, and start using it.  What is the actual question?

  • by crweisz,

    crweisz crweisz Mar 29, 2016 8:25 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 29, 2016 8:25 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    In synching my iPod nano, I got a message that a couple songs from my library could not be synched with the iPod because the device was not authorized for iTunes purchases.     This was only for a couple songs.  Many other songs synched just fine.   So . . . a mystery why I get this alert.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Mar 29, 2016 9:53 PM in response to crweisz
    Level 8 (38,389 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 29, 2016 9:53 PM in response to crweisz

    What you need to authorize is your computer that runs iTunes, with the Apple ID used to buy those songs.  This authorization only comes into play for purchased items that use DRM (copy protection).  Since early 2009, iTunes Store does not use DRM on songs; you should not get that authorization message for more recent songs purchased from iTunes Store (purchased videos and audiobooks still use DRM).  So, those "couple songs" were probably purchased before early 2009.

     

    The authorize command is in the menu bar, Store -> Authorize This Computer.  If you still get the authorization error message when syncing iPod (or your computer is already authorized for your current Apple ID), did you use a different Apple ID to purchase those particular songs?

     

    To check, find one of the songs (that causes authorization error) in iTunes.  Right-click it and Get Info.  On the Info window, go to the File tab.  Purchased items should have a purchased by field, showing the Apple ID used to make purchase.  (Sometimes, the purchased by field is not there.)  If that Apple ID is different from your current Apple ID, use the Authorize This Computer command again with that Apple ID (and its password).  One computer can be authorized with more than one Apple ID.