From iTunes' main window, go to the Store menu, and choose 'Authorize Computer'. ITunes will launch the Authorize Computer dialog: Under Apple ID, type the email address associated with your iTunes account; then, type the Password.
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If you decide to purchase a new computer for your business, there are three tasks you must complete before your new computer works properly with your iPhone. First, you must authorize the computer. You must then create a backup and restore your iPhone to the new computer. Apple has automated most of the backup and restore process, simplifying the process of setting your new 'home' computer.
Authorize Computer
1.
Open iTunes, and then click the 'Store' menu.
2.
Select 'Authorize This Computer...' and then enter your Apple ID and password.
3.
Click the 'Authorize' button to authorize your computer.
Backup and restore iPhone
1.
Connect your iPhone to your new computer and right-click it in the Devices menu of iTunes. Select 'Backup.' If a dialog box opens asking if you want to Transfer Purchases or Erase and Sync, select 'Cancel.'
2.
Right-click on your iPhone after the backup completes, and select 'Restore.'
3.
Wait for iTunes to finish restoring your device using the backup you created. ITunes reinstalls the software for your iPhone and then restores it making the new computer your default computer.
Tips
- Apple only allows you to authorize a maximum of five computers. If you have reached the limit, you must select the 'Store' menu, 'View My Account' and then 'Deauthorize All.' You can deauthorize all of your computers only once per year.
- If you have content that wasn't purchased from iTunes, you must copy the content over manually from the old computer to the new computer.
- Sync using Wi-Fi by connecting your iPhone and checking the 'Sync With This iPhone over Wi-Fi' option in the Summary tab. When your iPhone and computer are connected to the network at the same time, your iPhone will sync.
- After syncing and setting your new computer as the home computer, you can check 'Manually Manage Music and Files' to sync with more than one computer. You have to use the same Apple ID with each computer for this to work.
- To allow syncing to more than one computer, you must use manual mode.
Warning
- Don't click 'Erase and Sync.' This option deletes everything on your iPhone and replaces it with content on your computer.
References (4)
About the Author
Avery Martin holds a Bachelor of Music in opera performance and a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian studies. As a professional writer, she has written for Education.com, Samsung and IBM. Martin contributed English translations for a collection of Japanese poems by Misuzu Kaneko. She has worked as an educator in Japan, and she runs a private voice studio out of her home. She writes about education, music and travel.
Photo Credits
- Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
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We've all been there. Get a new device and can't authorize it with iTunes, so you can't enjoy any of your previously purchased content. The most common problem with not being able to authorize a computer is that you have too many of them already authorized. Due to licensing agreements, you can only have a maximum of five computers authorized under your iTunes account at the same time. You may have old computers that you never deauthorized, or a work computer that you previously used to listen to your finely crafted playlists.
If you know you have five computers, and want to add a sixth, well - you're out of luck. But, if you are currently only using two or three computers to play your iTunes music, you can remove old ones to make room for the new.
Before making any changes to your computer or the iTunes app, be sure to back up your iTunes music library (we can't stress this enough - seriously, back it up).
How to check to see how many computers you have authorized
If you have no idea how many computers you have authorized to access your iTunes account, you can find out in your account settings.
- Open iTunes.
- Click Sign in in the upper right corner of the iTunes window.If you are already signed in, your name will be where the sign-in icon is.
- Enter the email and password associated with your Apple ID.
- Select your name.
- Click Account info.
- Enter your password again.
- Check Computer Authorizations to see how many computers you have authorized to access your iTunes account.
How to deauthorize one computer
If you still own a computer that you don't want connected to your iTunes account, you can remove it individually.
- Open iTunes on the computer you wish to deauthorize.
- Select Store from the menu bar in the upper left corner of you computer screen.
- Click Deauthorize this Computer.
- Enter your Apple ID and Password.
- Click Deauthorize.
How to deauthorize all computers
If the computer or computers you wish to disconnect from your iTunes account are no longer in your possession, you'll have to reauthorize all of them (even the ones you currently use) and then reauthorize them one-by-one.
- Open iTunes.
- Click Sign in in the upper right corner of the iTunes window.If you are already signed in, your name will be where the sign-in icon is.
- Enter the email and password associated with your Apple ID.
- Select your name.
- Click Account info.
- Enter your password again.
- Select Deauthorize All under the Apple ID Summary section.
- Click Deauthorize all computers when prompted.
- After a few seconds, you'll see a prompt that all computers have been deauthorized. Click on OK to continue.
How to authorize a computer
If you had to deauthorize all computers and are now looking to add the ones you currently use back to your iTunes account, you'll have to authorize them individually.
- Open iTunes on the computer you wish to authorize.
- Select Store from the menu bar in the upper left corner of you computer screen.
- Click Authorize this Computer.
- Enter your Apple ID and Password.
- Click Authorize.
- After a few seconds, you will get a prompt that the authorization was successful. Click OK to continue.
Anything else?
Do you have any questions about deauthorizing and authorizing your computers? Post them in the comments section and we'll try to help.