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iTunes automatic downloads restricted to one user per computer?

I have the new version of iTunes (10.3) and I am trying to setup the automatic downloads process for TWO users on the same computer. Both my wife and myself have one computer and we both have our own iPods.


I can setup automatic downloads for myself, but when I go to set it up for my wife, I get the following error message:


"The computer is already associated with an AppleID..."


and I get the option to cancel the setup of automatic downloads or something that says "Transfer".


So, it looks like the new automatic download process is restricted to one user per COMPUTER, even though you can have multiple user accounts on the same machine, each with their own iTunes library and Apple ID's.


Has anyone else seen this behavior?

Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Jun 7, 2011 8:41 AM

Reply
97 replies

Jun 8, 2011 10:48 AM in response to Lou Palma

It looks like Apple released a document that discusses this -> iTunes Store: Associating a device or computer to your Apple ID.


from the article:


When you turn on Automatic Downloads or download past purchases on an iOS device or computer, your device or computer will be associated with your Apple ID. Your Apple ID can have up to 10 devices and computers (combined) associated with it. Each computer must also be authorized using the same Apple ID. Once a device or computer is associated with your Apple ID, you cannot associate that device or computer with another Apple ID for 90 days. You can view which devices or computers are currently associated, remove unused devices or computers, and see how long before they can be associated with a different Apple ID from the Account Information page in iTunes on your computer


WTH.

Jun 8, 2011 11:04 AM in response to whatheck

Thanks for the info. The resriction of one AppleID per device makes perfect sense for iPods, iPhones, iPads, etc because those are inherently single-user devices. A Macintosh Computer, however, is multi-user by design. It makes no sense to limit my computer to one Apple ID for automatic downloads. iTunes itself works fine with multiple users per machine, each with their own Apple ID. For example, my wife and I have our own Apple ID's and we can each buy from the store and synch or devices independently. Why can't this be done with automatic downloads?


I sure hope Apple revisits this topic. This restriction should be removed for Mac OS X devices which are multi-user.

Jun 9, 2011 12:12 PM in response to dextrem

yeah, this makes no sense - and I HOPE Apple is aware of that and will fix it in future updates, and before the data ends.

iTunes itself, and mobileme worked on that principle. Again, it makes no sense.

We have one Mac Pro for example, with 2 profiles. Both users have their own iTunes account associated with their itunes; yet we cannot enable cloud on both due to this 'error'. Apple needs to fix this to have it work by user, instead of by machine; computer inherently will have more than one profile and use seperate legitimate iTunes accounts (each with their own purchases) for each!

😐

Jun 9, 2011 10:25 PM in response to Lou Palma

I have the same issue. Recently I moved from Australia to Canada and as such I have accounts for both country's iTunes stores. This was already super annoying having to have two accounts associated with two different email addresses and two different credit cards. But now the automatic syncing makes it even worse. Apple needs to sort this out because we all have legitimate use cases for multiple accounts. Or if they really want to fix it then they need to let us associate 1 account with multiple credit cards/use it in multiple country's stores.

Aug 19, 2011 4:34 AM in response to Lou Palma

Yah, this needs serious fixing! I'm hoping this is because they decided to do it the simple way for initial release, but if left as is, it makes it impossible for more than one person in our household to automatically download. Having 1 Mac AND 1 iphone/ipod touch per person is unrealistic and expensive.

Aug 22, 2011 5:38 PM in response to Lou Palma

Just discovered this same issue on my computer when iTunes asked my girlfriend if she'd like to turn on automatic downloading. Hopefully they fix this soon; pretty ridiculous that iTunes would associate the Mac itself with a single iTunes account instead of the individual users on the machine. Kind of defeats the purpose of offering multiple user accounts!

Aug 22, 2011 11:58 PM in response to Cory Bauer

The key is for us all - everyone - to as Apple - nicely, reasonable, professionally, to remedy this, and why the practice is counterproductive (and doesn't protect either revenue or copying - but is a legimitate way to maintain more than 1 paid-up account per computer).

In other words, use iTunes to send a 'suggestion' to Apple. I did the same and hope it's being read/considered.


Cheers

dan

Oct 24, 2011 2:23 PM in response to Lou Palma

I have the same issue. 1 Macbook Pro with 2 user accounts (& 2 iTunes accounts!), 2 iPads, 2 iPhone 4. iCloud works fine with the one user on the iPad and iPhone but when you try and download the tracks/vids on the macbook you get the 90 day authorisation error. Totally crazy when you think you can have as many user accounts on the macbook as you want. What Apple are really saying here is that we should all buy our own seperate computers. Fine if you can afford it but not feasible in the real world. Come on Apple stop messing us about. Where's the issue here?

Nov 3, 2011 2:01 PM in response to Lou Palma

I've just been victim of another scenario, my son has grown up buying his music on my Apple ID account for years - not unreasonable, as kids of course don't have credit cards.


My son then goes to Uni, creates his own Apple ID so he can buy his own stuff. realizes when he gets there that much of his old music is on my account. comes home to download it, inadvertantly signs in to his account with his new ID and voila, myself and the rest of the family are locked out of auto downloads for 90 days i.e. are treated like thieves by Apple.


We are trying to play by the rules Apple, your process around Apple IDs has been very poorly thought through.

iTunes automatic downloads restricted to one user per computer?

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