How to Authorize a Computer on iTunes (FIXED)
Apple has a lot of unspoken restrictions in place to keep its users safe. These restrictions are within the realm of reason i.e., they do not impede how a user uses a device or app but will kick in when there is unusual activity.
Fix Computer is not authorized to run iTunes
If you own an iPhone and you back it up on a Windows 10 system, chances are you use iTunes to get the job done. Other, third-party iPhone managing apps rarely provide the same backup that iTunes does.
iTunes is essential for most iPhone or iPad users but like all Apple products, you need to sign in with an Apple ID to use it.
How to Authorize a Computer on iTunes
If you’re trying to sign in to iTunes and you see the ‘Computer is not authorized to run iTunes’ error, the fix is fairly simple.
1. Check Apple ID
Make sure you’re using the correct Apple ID to sign in to iTunes. Ideally, you should use the same Apple ID to sign in to iTunes that you use on your iPhone.
To check the Apple ID you’re using on your iPhone, follow these steps.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap your profile at the top.
- Look at the email address under your name on the Apple ID screen.
- Sign in with the account on iTunes.
2. Remove authorized computers
Apple allows an Apple ID to sign in to iTunes on different systems however, you can only sign into five different systems. After that, if you try to sign in to iTunes installed on a sixth computer, you will see the Computer is not authorized to run iTunes message. The only way to get rid of it is to remove one of the authorized computers.
- Visit Apple and sign in with the Apple ID you’re trying to use in iTunes.
- Scroll down to the Devices section.
- Select a device and click Remove from Account.
- Sign in to iTunes.
3. Uninstall and reinstall iTunes
iTunes is generally a stable app but that doesn’t mean it can’t run into trouble now and then. An update to the app or to Windows 10 may cause problems with it. Try uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes.
To uninstall the desktop version of iTunes;
- Open Control Panel.
- Go to Programs>Uninstall a program.
- Select iTunes and click Uninstall at the top.
- Restart the system.
To uninstall the Microsoft Store version of iTunes;
- Open the Start menu.
- Go to the Apps List.
- Right-click iTunes and select the Uninstall option.
- Restart the system.
Install iTunes again and sign in with your Apple ID.
Conclusion
The “Computer is not authorized to run iTunes” error is most often caused by too many computers connected to the same Apple ID. Keep the number of authorized desktops at 5 or below 5 to avoid seeing this error. If you have a device that’s authorized to use your Apple ID but you no longer use or own it, remove it and free up a slot for your system.
