how do i find out what computers are authorized?

I have the problem that as I switch to a new iphone, all of a sudden i get the message from itunes that "you have already authorized 5 computers". I have had a couple of laptops that I no longer have access to. How do I find out what machines i have linked and remove machines from that list?

Posted on Dec 20, 2012 9:35 PM

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5 replies

Dec 20, 2012 9:40 PM in response to jenh3825

For computers: You can de-authorize individual computers, but only by using those computers. Otherwise you can "deauthorize all" from your iTunes account.


  1. Open iTunes on a computer
  2. From the Store menu, select "View my Account..."
  3. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
  4. Under "Computer Authorizations" select "Deauthorize All".
  5. Authorize each computer you still have, as you may require.


You may only do this once per year.


After you "deauthorize all" your authorized computers, authorize each one as required.



It is also possible to have mistakenly authorized a computer more than once. To fix that:

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. From the Store menu, choose "Deauthorize This Computer…"
  3. Enter your account name and password.
  4. Click OK. A message appears reading "This computer has been successfully deauthorized."
  5. Click OK.
  6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 above. If you see the same message reading: "This computer has been successfully deauthorized," then your computer was using multiple authorizations.


Repeat steps 2 through 5 above until you see a message reading "This computer was not authorized. To authorize this computer, play a song or video you have purchased using this account."



For iOS devices: You can authorize and deauthorize individual devices under iTunes in the Cloud. You will find a link on your iTunes Account page under Manage Devices.



iTunes Store: About authorization and deauthorization:


http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1420


One computer using multiple iTunes Store authorizations:


http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1206

Sep 13, 2013 4:58 AM in response to Niel

However, it seems that you can check...


"

Tina16



In order to see which devices are authorized on your account:



Open iTunes



Click Store



Click Account



Click View Account



Enter your password



Look in the second section iTunes in the Cloud



To the far right you'll see Manage Devices



Once it's clicked you will see all of the devices currently authorized in iTunes/on your account



I was going to say, "Hope this helps," but based on the above, I'm pretty sure it did!



Thanks guys..."


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3107886?start=15&tstart=0



-----


Whoops! Read further and saw this:


"

varjak paw The old house on the hill



For anyone who may come across this thread, Tina is incorrect. That doesn't show all the systems that are authorized to a given account, only those which are set up for automatic downloads or redownloading, which isn't the same as those that are authorized to an account to play protected content. There is no way to see a list of those systems which are authorized to the account.


Regards."


--------------

Sep 13, 2013 5:02 AM in response to AstroMacMan

In which case, I have a question.


iTunes reports 4 authorized devices--I was surprised by that as I only have synched with 3 computers. The list, via Tina's tip, included 3 i-devices and only 1 computer.


This is baffling and I'm a long-time Apple user and aficionado, but I have to agree with the Apple critics on this one-- this defies ease of use and makes a hash out of things.


What's being authorized? iTunes menu says "computer". I need to know what the 4th one is--and whether i-devices count.

Sep 13, 2013 5:34 AM in response to AstroMacMan

Only computers are authorised, iOS devices do not need authorising - the 'manage devices' list on your account is different to being authorised.


Authorising and deauthorising a computer : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1420

Assoicating a device : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4627


To potentially appear on the 'manage devices' list a computer or iOS device needs to have used iTunes Match, automatic downloads or redownloaded an account's past purchases. As to do any of those on a computer's iTunes your account must also be authorised on it, a maximum of 5 computers can be 'managed' (as your account can only be authorised on up to computers at a time).


Syncing with a computer doesn't automatically authorise a computer nor cause the computer nor the device to appear on the 'manage devices' list. If you have 4 computer's authorised (there isn't a way to see a list of them) then have you had other computers in the past and/or updated the OS on those that you still have without first deauthorising them ?

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how do i find out what computers are authorized?

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