Authorized versus Associated.....trying to share content

Question

Level 1

0 points

Authorized versus Associated.....trying to share content

What is the difference between a computer being AUTHORIZED to play content from an iTunes account versus a computer being ASSOCIATED with a device so it can be synced and play the content? It seems multiple computers can be AUTHORIZED to play content from multiple iTunes account but each device can only be ASSOCIATED with one iTunes account (or is it one computer) at a time. Is that correct?

If so, can all the AUTHORIZED content on a computer (even if from multiple iTunes accounts) be synced to one ASSOCIATED iPad?

I have a Work Computer (PC), Associated Work iPad and Work iTunes Account and a separate Home Computer (iMac), Associated Home iPad and Home iTunes account. I am trying to figure out how to share content? Currently all my content is in my Home iTunes Account / Computer. My Work iPad, Work iTunes Account are both new and I want to share some of my Home iTunes content on my Work iPad.

I am concerned when I read that once a device is ASSOCIATED with an iTunes account it can not be ASSOCIATED with a different account for 90 days. I can't risk ASSOCIATING my Work iPad with my Personal iTunes Account and being locked out from syncing my Work iTunes account on my Work iPad for 90 days.

iPad 2

Posted on Jul 19, 2012 6:09 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

BobT19 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 20, 2012 2:28 PM in response to BobT19

Okay, I figured it out myself and will document it here so others may benefit.

A computer can be AUTHORIZED to play/use content purchsed from multiple iTunes Accounts. There is a limit to the number of computers that can be AUTHORIZED per account (5 total) but no limit as to how many accounts a computer can be AUTHORIZED to play. Once you have AUTHORIZED all the accounts AND downloaded all the purchased content from each account to a computer, this content can be also be played on any device ASSOCIATED with the computer. A device can only be ASSOCIATED to one computer but one computer can have many devices ASSOCIATED to it. As an example, you can use apps purchased on from multiple iTunes accounts on an iPad as long as the computer the iPad is ASSOCIATED with is AUTHORIZED to use/play the content for each of the accounts. Another example: if you also purchased music from all the iTunes accounts, you could listen to it on an iPad, iPhone and iPod as long as all three were ASSOCIATED with the computer where all the accounts were AUTHORIZED.

Hope this helps.

Reply