Deauthorize All Computers iTunes: Step-by-Step

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To deauthorize all computers associated with your Apple ID in iTunes, sign in to your Apple ID account page and click “Deauthorize All.” This instantly removes your iTunes Store authorization from every computer currently linked to your account, which is essential when you sell a Mac or PC, reach your 5-computer limit, or suspect unauthorized access.

What Authorizing a Computer Means

When you authorize a computer in iTunes, you grant that machine permission to play content you purchased from the iTunes Store, including music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks. Apple ties this authorization to your Apple ID, not the computer itself. Each Apple ID can have up to five authorized computers at any time. Authorization is separate from signing in to the iTunes Store—you can be signed in on many devices, but only five can actually play your purchased content.

Authorization matters for two main reasons: it enforces Apple’s licensing terms, and it lets you manage which devices can access your library. If you never deauthorize an old computer before selling it or wiping it, that machine still counts against your five-computer limit. Over the years, as you upgrade laptops or desktops, those old authorizations pile up silently in the background.

When You Need to Deauthorize All

You should use the “Deauthorize All” feature in these specific situations:

You’ve hit the 5-computer limit and can’t authorize a new machine.
You’re selling, giving away, or recycling a computer that was once authorized.
You’ve forgotten which computers are authorized and want a clean slate.
You suspect someone else gained access to your Apple ID and authorized a device.
You’re troubleshooting playback errors that mention authorization limits.

Apple limits how often you can use “Deauthorize All”—typically once every 12 months. This prevents someone who steals your password from wiping all authorizations repeatedly. If you’ve already used it this year, you’ll see a message telling you to try again later.

How to Deauthorize All Computers Online

The most reliable method is through Apple’s website, because it works even if you no longer have physical access to the old computer. Here’s the exact process:

Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with the Apple ID you use for iTunes purchases.
If prompted, complete two-factor authentication using a trusted device or phone number.
Scroll down to the “Devices” section—but note that this shows devices signed into iCloud, not iTunes authorizations.
Look for a separate section labeled “iTunes in the Cloud” or “Computer Authorizations.” On current versions of the site, it appears as a link under the Devices section, sometimes labeled “Manage” or “Deauthorize All.”
Click “Deauthorize All” and confirm when asked.
You’ll see a confirmation message showing that all computers have been deauthorized.

After doing this, you must re-authorize any computer you still use. Open iTunes (or the Music app on macOS Catalina or later), go to Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer, and enter your Apple ID password.

How to Deauthorize a Single Computer

If you only need to remove one machine, you can do it directly on that computer. This is faster and doesn’t consume your yearly “Deauthorize All” allowance.

Open iTunes on the computer you want to deauthorize.
From the menu bar at the top, select Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer.
Enter your Apple ID password and click “Deauthorize.”

On macOS Catalina or later, the iTunes app is replaced by the Music app. The menu path is the same: Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer. On Windows, iTunes still works the same way.

If you no longer have access to that computer (it’s broken, lost, or sold without deauthorizing), the online “Deauthorize All” method is your only option.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

Many people confuse “deauthorizing” with “signing out” or “deleting” their Apple ID. They are not the same. Signing out of the iTunes Store simply stops that computer from making new purchases. Deauthorizing is what revokes access to previously purchased content. You can be signed in but not authorized, or authorized but signed out—though the latter is unusual.

Another frequent issue: after clicking “Deauthorize All,” users expect their iCloud devices (iPhone, iPad) to lose access to purchased music. That doesn’t happen. Deauthorization only affects computers running iTunes or the Music app. iOS devices don’t count toward the five-computer limit and are never deauthorized by this action.

If you get an error saying “You cannot deauthorize because you have no computer authorized,” it usually means the account was already deauthorized previously, or you’re looking at the wrong Apple ID. Double-check that you’re signed in with the same Apple ID used for the original purchases.

What Happens After Deauthorizing

Once you deauthorize a computer, that machine can no longer play your purchased iTunes content. The files may still exist on the hard drive, but they’ll show a lock icon or prompt you to authorize when you try to play them. Downloaded purchases that were protected with DRM (Digital Rights Management) become unplayable. Most music purchased after 2009 is DRM-free, so those files will still play—but the authorization status affects all purchases, not just DRM-protected ones, because Apple tracks playback rights per computer.

Your iTunes Match subscription (if you have one) is unaffected. iCloud Music Library remains intact. The deauthorization only touches the computer’s permission to play store-bought content offline.

Alternatives to Deauthorizing All

If you’re near the 5-computer limit but don’t want to use your yearly “Deauthorize All,” consider these options:

Deauthorize individual computers you no longer use, one by one, from each machine.
Use Home Sharing instead of authorizing—this lets up to five devices stream your library without counting against the limit, though it requires the host computer to be on.
Switch to streaming your purchases via iCloud Music Library, which doesn’t require computer authorization at all.

For most people, the online “Deauthorize All” is the cleanest solution, especially when you can’t physically access the old computers. Just remember the 12-month cooldown, and plan accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deauthorizing all computers delete my music?

No. Your purchased music remains in your iTunes Store account and can be re-downloaded on any authorized computer. Files already on your hard drive stay there, but DRM-protected items may become unplayable until you authorize that computer again.

How often can I use “Deauthorize All”?

Apple allows it once every 12 months. If you try again sooner, the website shows an error. Individual computer deauthorization has no such limit.

Does deauthorizing affect my iPhone or iPad?

No. Mobile devices are not counted in the five-computer limit and are not affected by deauthorization. They continue to access your purchases normally.

I sold my computer without deauthorizing. What do I do?

Use the online “Deauthorize All” method immediately. This is the only way to revoke access from a computer you no longer possess. The new owner won’t be able to play your purchased content after that.

Why does it say I have no authorized computers when I know I do?

This usually means you’re signed in with a different Apple ID than the one used for purchases. Check the account email in iTunes under Account > View My Account. Also, if you previously used “Deauthorize All” and never re-authorized, the count is genuinely zero.

Can I deauthorize all computers from the iTunes app itself?

No. The iTunes app only allows deauthorizing the current computer. The “Deauthorize All” function is available exclusively through the Apple ID website.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.