Out of the blue I'm unable to play movies, etc. on my Mac because the media thinks the computer is unauthorized when if fact I've authorized it to do so. To get the media to play I have to re-authorize the computer each time, which is a huge nuisance. I don't know why this is happening, and I don't know how to make it "just work." Any ideas, suggestions, hints, tips as to how to fix this issue?
Mac mini, macOS 10.12
Without knowing what has been installed on the computer it is tough to tell. However, the first thing I'd do is to restart in Safe Mode then restart normally. Please refer to the information in Safe Mode to learn how to do this. If the Safe Mode restart does not help, please do the following:
It will help us get a good idea of what is causing your problem if you provide a report of your system, that way we do not have to play 20 questions with you. The report we are requesting does NOT provide any personal information and is extremely safe to use. Please navigate to www.Etrecheck.com and download the free version of EtreCheck. Once you have you downloaded the app and installed it, please run the report and save it. This report will help us get a good idea what has been installed on your system and help us be able to diagnose what may be wrong.
When you have your report, you can attach it when you reply to this message and we can then review it and help you determine what is needed to get your system running well again.
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Remove all add-on VPN apps, restart, and try again.
Limnos wrote:
I presume you only need do this once per Apple Account used on that device, it should not have to be done repeatedly unless something is being done to deauthorize the user account.
Correct. It’s done automatically at sign-in, and is un-done when properly transferred.
This stuff:
Or a VPN is moving the reported network location around, as the music subscriptions and music purchases can have some restrictions around country or region.
Ian R. Brown wrote:
What do you mean by "authorize"? I have never come across it in 25 years of Mac usage.
EDIT: I have just googled it and it appears it refers to playing music and videos sold by Apple . . . something which I have never done!
Authorize or deauthorize your computer for Apple Account purchases - Apple Support
;-)
I presume you only need do this once per Apple Account used on that device, it should not have to be done repeatedly unless something is being done to deauthorize the user account.
What do you mean by "authorize"? I have never come across it in 25 years of Mac usage.
EDIT: I have just googled it and it appears it refers to playing music and videos sold by Apple . . . something which I have never done!
Thanks very much for your reply. I've included the EtreCheck report in this reply. Note: there are no VPN apps on my computer. I use this computer for light media work and other file creation, and except for downloading and converting media files, this machine is offline 99% of the time. Also, please note that the problem I'm having is also present on a 2012 MacBook Pro laptop, which is configured similarly to my desktop Mac Mini. I'll try the Safe Mode process after I post this reply. Thanks again for taking the time to help me. Here's the EtreCheck report:
There are no VPN apps installed on my computer.
Dang it! Sorry, I included the wrong EtreCheck Report. I've added the report from my Mac Mini to this update. Here it is:
Have to re-authorize my Mac every time to play movies, etc.
