was not copied to the ipod because you are not authorized for it on this computer?

I got this message this morning while syncing my ipod "was not copied to the ipod because you are not authorized for it on this computer" for a single song on an album I bought with this account on itunes. The song has previously been on my ipod up until syncing it today. I tried deleting the song and redownloading, but don't have the option to redownload it.

iPod classic

Posted on Dec 26, 2015 2:06 AM

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3 replies

Dec 26, 2015 6:07 AM in response to Reavyn

Is it possible that one song was purchased using a different Apple ID (not the one you use currently). It would be an older purchase, from the early years of the iTunes Store, when songs sold by iTunes Store were required to use DRM (copy protection). After Apple was allowed to sell songs without DRM by the content producers, songs no longer used DRM, so this authorization issue would not come up during syncing for more recent purchases.


To check, select the song on any list in iTunes. Right-click it and do a Get Info on song. In the Info window, go to the File tab. There is a field there for purchased by, which shows the Apple ID used for purchase. Is that your current Apple ID?


If that is not the Apple ID you use now, you need to authorize your computer using the Authorize This Computer command under the Store menu (in iTunes). Enter that Apple ID with its password. NOTE: Your computer can be authorized for playing content from more than one Apple ID.

Dec 26, 2015 11:24 AM in response to Reavyn

You may have an old copy of the song file (that has DRM), even though you purchased the whole album later.

If you purchased the complete album (in 2014), including that song (originally purchased in 2006), you may want to try downloading it again. Just in case, make a copy of the current song file. You can do this by dragging the song from the iTunes window to the desktop. The song file should appear on the desktop.

NOTE: When you do the next part, if this song is currently on any playlists, you'll have to add it back again. Also, its rating and play count will be set back to zero.

Select the song in your iTunes music library. Right-click it and select Delete. Confirm action and select option to send song file to the trash. The song should no longer appear in your iTunes music library.

Go to the iTunes Store main screen. If you are not already, sign in using your Apple ID (the one used when you bought "the whole album"). Along right side of window, find and click Purchased. On the Purchased screen, you can download previous purchases again. Set it to show Music that is Not in My Library. Find that song and click its "download cloud" to download it.

Back in your music library, that song should be back. See if it now syncs to the iPod without that error message about authentication.

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was not copied to the ipod because you are not authorized for it on this computer?

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