HT201487: If you forgot your Apple ID password

Learn about If you forgot your Apple ID password
dirigo9871

Q: I have an iPod Touch and 3 MacBooks all of different age. I wish to play certain songs on the newest MacBook.  It say I need the same Apple ID and Password as when I bought the songs.  That was years ago.  I have no idea.  How do I authorize all 4 devices

I have a 3rd gen iPod Touch, a white plastic Macbook, a late 2008 aluminum Macbook and a mid-2014 15" Retina Macbook.  I have music that was purchased using each device at different times, therefor using different Apple Ids.  Now, I wish to play everything on my newest machine, the 15" MacBook.  I get a message saying I need to use the same ID and password used to purchase the song.  That was years ago.  I have no idea what it was.

How do I authorize my newest MacBook to play songs purchased years ago with a different Apple Id that I no longer have?

MacBook

Posted on Apr 30, 2015 9:26 AM

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Q: I have an iPod Touch and 3 MacBooks all of different age. I wish to play certain songs on the newest MacBook.  It say I need ... more

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Apr 30, 2015 9:38 AM in response to dirigo9871
    Level 9 (53,951 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 30, 2015 9:38 AM in response to dirigo9871

    You should only make purchases for all your devices using a single Apple ID.  There is no need, and indeed a good reason not to, set up a new Apple ID with each new device purchase.  While items purchased under different IDs can be played on a single device, you cannot merge Apple IDs and it makes it cumbersome.

     

    Apple IDs do not expire but may become dormant and require reactivation if they are not actively used.

     

    You should make note of your Apple ID and passwords and keep a record of it.  Like a bank account it contains access to items with value.  Update your Apple ID email address as they change.

     

    I see you were guided to this forum by a help page on recovering your password.  If that is not sufficient try the links below.  Apple will need to verify you are indeed to owner of the accounts to which you are trying to gain access.

     

    http://www.apple.com/support/appleid/contact/

     

    Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT5699 "This article provides country-specific Apple Support contact information for customers seeking help with their Apple ID password or other security-related issues."

     

    Frequently asked questions about Apple ID - http://support.apple.com/kb/HE37

  • by dirigo9871,

    dirigo9871 dirigo9871 Apr 30, 2015 10:06 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 30, 2015 10:06 AM in response to Limnos

    Thank you, Limnos.

     

    I believe the issue began when, at some point years ago, I wanted to retrieve an apple ID.  I think after following the process recommended I ended up only changing the password.  That resulted in 2 devices with the same ID but different passwords.

     

    Any way, now I have a mess.  I want my iTouch to be able to sync with the 15" machine, to be able to update all the apps and to be able to play everything I have in iTunes.  The current apple ID and password are safely preserved.

     

    Your advice on what to do once I have access to all my stuff is helpful in preventing this from happening again.  I don't immediately see how it helps me determine the old Apple ID and password that I need.  I may need to contact Apple Support.  I'm sure I'm not the first person to have this problem.

     

    I appreciate your efforts on my behalf.

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Apr 30, 2015 10:18 AM in response to dirigo9871
    Level 9 (79,538 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 30, 2015 10:18 AM in response to dirigo9871

    dirigo9871 wrote:

     

    Thank you, Limnos.

     

    I believe the issue began when, at some point years ago, I wanted to retrieve an apple ID.  I think after following the process recommended I ended up only changing the password.  That resulted in 2 devices with the same ID but different passwords.

    You cannot have same AppleID on different devices with different passwords.
    When you change your AppleID password, it is changed on Apple servers. Any device then using that AppleID will require the same password.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Apr 30, 2015 10:30 AM in response to dirigo9871
    Level 9 (53,951 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 30, 2015 10:30 AM in response to dirigo9871

    As ChrisCA observes, an Apple ID can have only one password.  The Apple ID is what you use to log into the Store to make purchases and to authorize computers.  Devices can have their individual security passwords or codes which are independent of the Apple ID (well, some exceptions which are not relevant here) which are optional and used to securely access a device locally.

  • by dirigo9871,

    dirigo9871 dirigo9871 Apr 30, 2015 10:36 AM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 30, 2015 10:36 AM in response to Chris CA

    Thanks, Chris.

     

    My newest machine and the iCloud work just fine using the same apple ID and password.

     

    My iTouch has the same ID, but it will not accept my present password.

     

    Is there a way to reset my password on the iTouch so it too will accept my present password?  If so, will I be able to update Apps and play music that was purchased years ago with different ID and password?

     

    I was able to move my iTunes library contents from my last MacBook to my new 15" - Retina machine.  Apparently the authorization for some items did not move as well.

     

    I'll be far less stressed if i can get my iTouch taken care of.  Then, it will be time to address my authorization problem.

     

    Again, I appreciate everyone's help.  Somehow I think we're getting closer to a solution.

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Apr 30, 2015 11:35 AM in response to dirigo9871
    Level 9 (79,538 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 30, 2015 11:35 AM in response to dirigo9871

    dirigo9871 wrote:

    Thanks, Chris.

     

    My newest machine and the iCloud work just fine using the same apple ID and password.

     

    My iTouch has the same ID, but it will not accept my present password.

    Settings > iTunes & Stores.

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