Related Article: Check your Apple ID device list to find where you're signed in

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Ghost or old devices associated with my apple ID

I cannot authorize my new computer for the Music.app and the Books.app as it tells me:

"You cannot authorize more than 5 computers. You have already authorized 5 computers with this Apple ID. Toauthorize this computer you must first deauthorize one of the other computers."

However, iCloud shows only my current devices:


and the Music.app also let's me remove one device:


However, I still get the error of too many devices..


A hint might be that the iCloud (above) says: "You are signed in and running iOS 8, macOS Yosemite, watchOS 1, or later on these devices.", while never had an Apple watch, and run iOS 15 and Monterey.


Any hints?

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Dec 2, 2021 12:43 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best answer

Those are devices that are signed into your Apple ID. That is not the same thing as the computers that are authorized for iTunes purchases and content.


Use the following instructions to Deauthorize all and then authorize any computers you still want to use. See the Deauthorize All button in the second screenshot below from Authorize or deauthorize your computer for iTunes Store purchases - Apple Support


See your authorized computers

To automatically sign in to your Account Information page from your computer, click here. Or follow these steps:

  1. On a Mac, open the Music app, Apple TV app, or Apple Books app. On a PC, open iTunes for Windows.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  3. In the menu bar on your Mac or PC, choose Account > View My Account.

  4. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  5. On the Account Information page, scroll to the Apple ID Summary section. You'll see the number of computers that you've authorized with your Apple ID. You can’t see the names of those computers. If you haven't authorized 2 or more computers, you won't see this section.

If the number of authorized computers listed is more than what you expect, you might not have deauthorized the computers that you no longer use, gave away, or sold. You need to deauthorize all of your computers and then authorize each one that you still use.

Posted on Dec 2, 2021 1:06 PM

Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Best answer

Dec 2, 2021 1:06 PM in response to Ma7h

Those are devices that are signed into your Apple ID. That is not the same thing as the computers that are authorized for iTunes purchases and content.


Use the following instructions to Deauthorize all and then authorize any computers you still want to use. See the Deauthorize All button in the second screenshot below from Authorize or deauthorize your computer for iTunes Store purchases - Apple Support


See your authorized computers

To automatically sign in to your Account Information page from your computer, click here. Or follow these steps:

  1. On a Mac, open the Music app, Apple TV app, or Apple Books app. On a PC, open iTunes for Windows.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  3. In the menu bar on your Mac or PC, choose Account > View My Account.

  4. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  5. On the Account Information page, scroll to the Apple ID Summary section. You'll see the number of computers that you've authorized with your Apple ID. You can’t see the names of those computers. If you haven't authorized 2 or more computers, you won't see this section.

If the number of authorized computers listed is more than what you expect, you might not have deauthorized the computers that you no longer use, gave away, or sold. You need to deauthorize all of your computers and then authorize each one that you still use.

Ghost or old devices associated with my apple ID

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.