MikeeW

Q: Using more than five computers with Mac App Store

I own five MacBooks, four MBA and one MBP. These were purchased over a period of five years or so. 

 

I'm considering buying a new iMac soon and wonder how this will affect my use of purchased apps as well as the "free apps" from Apple (Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie and Garage band). 

 

My Apple ID shows I have five computers authorized.  I have also a variety of iOS devices associated with the Apple ID.

 

I intend to use the new iMac for primarily movie editing and some Pages and Keynote work.  I have no plans to download any of the purchased apps currently used with the MacBooks.

 

My question is will I be able to download the "free apps" using my existing Apple ID?

 

I do not intend to deauthorize the five and start over.  I can live with having the iMac limited to the "free apps".

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 29, 2016 4:06 PM

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Q: Using more than five computers with Mac App Store

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  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit May 29, 2016 6:38 PM in response to MikeeW
    Level 10 (122,016 points)
    Apple Music
    May 29, 2016 6:38 PM in response to MikeeW

    Hi,

     

    According to Mac App Store FAQ's ...  Mac App Store: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support

     

    "Apps from the Mac App Store may be used on any Macs that you own or control for your personal use."

    As long as you are using the same Apple ID on all.

     

    Yes, you can download free apps using your existing Apple ID.


    If you run out of authorizations:

     

    If one of your 5 authorizations is on a computer you don't use much anymore, deauthorize it. If you've sold or given away a computer that used one of your 5 authorizations, you'll need to deauthorize all of your computersand then re-authorize each one that you still use.

    From here >  Authorize your computer in iTunes - Apple Support

  • by MikeeW,

    MikeeW MikeeW May 29, 2016 6:51 PM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 1 (16 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 29, 2016 6:51 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

    THanks.

     

    I do not intend to deauthorize the five and start over.  I can live with having the iMac limited to the "free apps".


    I Need authorizations to remain on the five in use.  I cannot deauthorize one as they are all in use.


    TThe faq policy is clear, EXCEPT regarding authorizations. In effect, it says I can use the apps.......but only with computers which are authorized.


    OR is that really the case?


  • by Dah•veed,Helpful

    Dah•veed Dah•veed May 29, 2016 7:25 PM in response to MikeeW
    Level 7 (34,736 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 29, 2016 7:25 PM in response to MikeeW

    I personally haven't seen much in these forums on how sticky Apple is with the 5 Mac policy, but I would take Apple at its word, that 5 is the limit.

     

    If you only plan to use the iMac for free apps you can always create a new Apple ID for that Mac. Every new Mac comes with Photos, iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, so you aren't dependent on your previous purchases with your current Apple ID to get these on the new Mac. They are already there, you just need to sign into the Mac App Store with a new Apple ID, open the Purchased pane and accept them into the new Mac App Store account.

     

    Late 2012 Mac mini, OS X El Capitan 10.11.6;  Watch, 38 mm silver AL, Watch OS 2.2.1; iPad Air 2 & iPhone 6+, iOS 9.3.3;  Apple Airport Express

  • by MikeeW,

    MikeeW MikeeW May 29, 2016 7:33 PM in response to Dah•veed
    Level 1 (16 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 29, 2016 7:33 PM in response to Dah•veed

    TThanks.  I had hoped that I could use my existing Apple ID and since the apps were included in the price of the computer.......

     

    I realize I can create a new Apple ID, and most likely will go that way.  By using the exciting Apple ID I felt I could later deauthorize one computer and authorize the iMac. That would give me access to the multiple apps I have purchased.

     

    As you suggest, it's unclear how sticky Apple is about the five computer policy.  I encountered a problem recently with one of the MacBooks while using iBooks.  I was prevented from downloading a previously purchased book, and told I have five computers authorized and this one was not.  Made little sense, since that MacBook had already many apps installed and updated over a year or more of use.  However, this was the first ibook I attempted.  Go figure? (Separate issue, not trying to stray from OP).

  • by Dah•veed,

    Dah•veed Dah•veed May 29, 2016 8:12 PM in response to MikeeW
    Level 7 (34,736 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 29, 2016 8:12 PM in response to MikeeW

    You can see which devices are Authorized using the iTunes for Mac app. Go to the app, open the iTunes Store, click Account in the Music Quick Links on the right side of the pane and sign in. View the Authorized devices in iTunes in the Cloud by clicking Manage devices.

     

    TThose double caps in your comments tell me that you might be on an iOS device! Maybe an iPad?

  • by MikeeW,

    MikeeW MikeeW May 31, 2016 12:54 AM in response to Dah•veed
    Level 1 (16 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 31, 2016 12:54 AM in response to Dah•veed

    YYeess

     

    Interesting detail regarding the iTunes authorized reveal.  The account shows only two of the five MacBooks I have in use.  In all, I have eight associated devices showing. I recently removed two older iPods from the ten that had been showing as associated.  There's no indication as to "authorized" but by default I can assume the MacBooks are authorized. 

     

    HOwever, the real mystery to me is why only two of five are shown.

     

    TThhaannkkss