This computer is not authorized to play [movie]

I bought two movies from Apple in 2018. In the last 12 months, I was able to play both of them using my usual apple ID. But since about June or May, I can't play either of them.

Movies are:

The Pursuit of Happyness

Maximum Achievement: The Brian Tracy Story


Whenever I click "play" on these movies from my Apple TV library or my Finder, I get the message: "This computer is not authorized to play "[movie name.]" Would you like to authorize it? To watch this movie, you must authorize this computer for movies purchased using the Apple ID... You may authorize up to 5 computers for each Apple ID."

Then I sign in with the apple ID I've used before in order to play it, and I hit authorize. It says "This computer had previously been authorized, it has been re-authorized. Including this one, you have authorized one computer out of your available 5." Then I click play on the movie again and I have to go through the "this computer is not authorized" all over again.


Things I've tried:

Playing movie from my "library" in apple tv

Restarting Mac

Signing out/back into Apple ID from Settings app

Signing out/back into Apple ID in Apple TV app

Finding the movie by searching it on apple tv instead of in my library

Updating my Mac to latest software (I'm on Ventura 13.5.1 which is the latest)


Another weird thing is that when I look up either of these movies using apple TV search, I am given the option to "buy" or "rent." In the past, it would simply say "play" or "download". Now, it's almost like there is no record of my purchase on Apple TV. Yet that wouldn't make sense because the movies are STILL in my library.

I've looked at my apple ID purchases and I see nothing before 2019 when I check the app store. I know for a fact I purchased these movies and have played them fine in the past using my usual apple ID.


Something else I'll note: the movies do not show in my library on my iPhone's TV app; they only show up in my library on my Mac.


So to sum up, why would the movies show in my library but show a purchase/rent option in apple TV search? And why I am asked over and over again to authorize a computer it already told me is authorized?

MacBook Pro 16″

Posted on Sep 2, 2023 8:11 PM

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Sep 2, 2023 8:16 PM in response to txpsjg

txpsjg Said:

"This computer is not authorized to play [movie]: I bought two movies from Apple in 2018. In the last 12 months, I was able to play both of them using my usual apple ID. But since about June or May, I can't play either of them. [...]So to sum up, why would the movies show in my library but show a purchase/rent option in apple TV search? And why I am asked over and over again to authorize a computer it already told me is authorized?"

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Contact Apple Support:

If a purchase if not acting as it should, then contact Apple Support, as this may be a glitch in their purchase database. So, ask the the Apple Rep to fix this purchase.

Apple Contact Info:

  • Contact Us - Choose Locations
  • Proceed from there as necessary
  • Note: Phone calls are taking a bit to go through at the moment, due do lots of calls. With the Coronavirus Pandemic, many are at home at the moment, with much time on their hands to contact Apple. So, just stay on the line, and you will get through :)

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This computer is not authorized to play [movie]

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