If you use Apple TV to stream content purchased or rented through your Apple account, you might occasionally encounter the frustrating error message: “Your Computer Is Not Authorized.” This error typically means that the Apple TV app or device is unable to access your Apple ID’s purchased content because the computer or device isn’t authorized to play it.
Understanding why this error occurs and how to fix it will help you get back to enjoying your favorite movies, TV shows, and music without interruptions.
Why Does the “Your Computer Is Not Authorized” Error Appear?
Apple restricts the number of devices and computers authorized to access purchased content from the iTunes Store or Apple TV app to prevent unauthorized sharing. Normally, you can authorize up to five computers with your Apple ID.
When your Apple TV or computer isn’t authorized — or if you have exceeded the authorization limit — you will see this error when trying to play purchased or rented content.
How to Fix the Error: Step-by-Step Solutions
1. Authorize Your Computer or Apple TV
If you’re using a computer with the Apple TV app or iTunes, you need to authorize it:
- Open the Apple TV app or iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC.
- From the menu bar, click Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer.
- Enter your Apple ID and password.
- Confirm authorization.
For Apple TV devices, authorization is tied to the Apple ID signed into the device. Make sure you are signed in with the correct Apple ID:
- Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > [Your Account].
- If needed, sign out and sign back in with the Apple ID that owns the content.
2. Check Your Authorized Devices
If you have already authorized five computers, you won’t be able to authorize another until you deauthorize one:
- On your computer, open the Apple TV app or iTunes.
- Go to Account > View My Account.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Under Apple ID Summary, check how many computers are authorized.
- If needed, select Deauthorize All to reset authorizations (note: this can only be done once per year).
- Then reauthorize the computers you actively use.
3. Restart Your Devices
Sometimes, simply restarting your Apple TV and computer can resolve temporary glitches:
- Restart your Apple TV (Settings > System > Restart).
- Restart your computer.
- Try accessing your content again.
4. Update Your Software
Outdated software can cause authorization issues:
- On Apple TV: Go to Settings > System > Software Updates > Update Software.
- On Mac: Use the App Store or System Settings to update macOS.
- On Windows: Update iTunes to the latest version.
5. Sign Out and Sign Back In
Signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in on Apple TV or the Apple TV app can refresh your authorization status:
- On Apple TV: Settings > Users and Accounts > Select your account > Sign Out.
- Then sign back in with your Apple ID.
6. Contact Apple Support
If none of the above steps work, the issue might be related to your Apple ID or account settings. Contact Apple Support for personalized assistance:
- Visit Apple Support Contact.
Summary
The “Your Computer Is Not Authorized” error on Apple TV usually means your device or computer isn’t properly authorized to access your Apple ID’s purchased content. By authorizing your computer, managing your authorized devices, updating software, and signing back into your account, you can quickly fix this issue and resume enjoying your media.
Understanding Authorization for Apple TV on Your Computer
Before we dive into details, it’s important to understand that authorization permits your computer to access content through Apple TV. This process is key to ensuring your Apple devices work smoothly together.
The Basics of Apple TV and Computer Authorization
Apple TV is a device designed to stream movies, TV shows, and other content directly from the internet to your TV. But if you wish to play content purchased through your Apple ID on your computer, it has to be an authorized computer. Authorizing your computer links it to your Apple ID, granting it permission to access your purchased content.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Authorize: To give your computer permission to access your content.
- Deauthorize: To remove the permission, which might be handy if you’re selling your computer or have hit an authorization limit.
Keep in mind that there’s a limit to how many devices you can authorize, which is currently set at five. This includes all types of computers, whether they run on macOS or Windows.
Managing Your Apple ID Authorizations
Mac users can manage their authorizations through the Account menu within the Apple TV app by selecting Authorizations and then “Authorize This Computer” or “Deauthorize This Computer.” Windows users will need to use iTunes to manage their authorizations in a similar manner.
For those who’ve hit their limit or can’t remember all the devices they’ve authorized, Apple provides a way to “Deauthorize All” through the Apple ID Account Settings page. This resets your authorization count, but remember, you’ll need to reauthorize each computer that you still use.
By keeping your authorizations in check, you minimize the risk of hitting the limit and ensure only your current devices can access your purchased content.
Troubleshooting Authorization Issues
Encountering authorization issues with Apple TV on your computer can be frustrating, but there are effective solutions for the most common problems. The key is to address these issues methodically to regain access and enjoy your content.
Common Problems and Solutions
Several issues can prevent authorization success. Below are the common problems with solutions:
- Access Denied: Ensure you’re signed in with the correct Apple ID that was used to purchase the content.
- Authorization Limits: Computers have a limit on how many can be authorized. If you’ve hit the limit, you’ll need to deauthorize one or more.
- Deauthorization Steps:
- On MacOS: Open the Apple TV app, go to ‘Account’ > ‘Authorizations’ > ‘Deauthorize This Computer’.
- On Windows: Open iTunes, navigate to ‘Account’ > ‘Authorizations’ > ‘Deauthorize This Computer’.
If persisting, try signing out and back into your account, and if issues remain, a restart of your computer may resolve the problem.
Resetting Forgotten Apple ID Credentials
Forgetting Apple ID credentials is a common setback. If you can’t recall your details:
- Visit Apple’s ID account page.
- Click “Forgot Apple ID or password?”
- Follow the onscreen instructions to reset.
For increased security, keep your Apple ID info updated and store it securely to prevent future hiccups. Remember that maintaining your account and password is crucial for a seamless experience across Apple’s services.
Accessing Content and Features on Apple TV
If you’re looking to enjoy your past purchases or dive into the latest shows and music on your Apple TV, you’ll need to ensure everything is properly authorized and set up. This section provides guidance on how to view and manage your past Apple ID purchases and explore content on the Apple TV and Apple Music apps.
Viewing and Managing Past Purchases
To watch movies and shows you previously bought, you first need to authorize your Mac computer. Go to the iTunes Store and sign in with your Apple ID. Next, navigate to Account > View My Account. Here you can authorize your computer, which allows it to access content associated with your Apple ID. Remember, this step is only necessary once for each computer.
If you encounter an error message stating “Apple TV authorization is required,” navigate to the Store menu in iTunes and select Authorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password, then try accessing your content again. This should resolve most authorization-related issues, allowing you to enjoy your past purchases effortlessly.
Exploring Apple TV App and Apple Music App
The Apple TV app is your one-stop-shop for a vast range of content, including your subscription channels, streaming services, and rented or purchased movies and shows. For ease of use, once you authorize your Mac computer, you’ll not only have access to your purchases here but in any other Apple apps.
On the other hand, the Apple Music app offers millions of songs, playlists, and radio stations. If you’re subscribed to Apple Music, you can stream songs or download them and enjoy offline. Both apps provide a seamless experience across all Apple devices, including the Apple TV device, without requiring any additional authorizations. It’s simple—sign in with your Apple ID, and you’re good to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re trying to enjoy your favorite shows and music on Apple TV and have run into authorization issues with your computer, these common questions and answers will guide you through resolving them.
How do I authorize my computer to access Apple TV content?
To authorize your computer, open the Apple TV app, go to the Account menu, select “Authorizations”, and then “Authorize This Computer”. You’ll need to enter your Apple ID and password.
What steps do I need to follow to authorize my computer for Apple Music playback?
The process is similar to Apple TV. In the Apple Music app, navigate to the Account section in the menu bar, click on “Authorizations”, and choose “Authorize This Computer.” Enter your credentials, and you’re set.
Why does Apple TV keep prompting me to authorize my computer, and how can I resolve this?
This usually happens if your computer isn’t properly authorized or if there’s a glitch. Reauthorizing should fix it. Go to the Account menu, click “Authorizations”, and select “Authorize This Computer”. If the problem persists, you might need to deauthorize all computers and start the process again.
What can I do if my computer is no longer functioning, but I need to deauthorize it for iTunes?
Sign in to your Apple ID in a web browser or another computer. Under the Account section, you can manage your authorizations and choose to “Deauthorize All” for computers you no longer use or have access to.
Where can I find the Account menu to manage authorizations on Apple TV?
In the Apple TV app on your computer, the Account menu is located in the menu bar at the top of your screen. From there, you can access all the relevant options to manage your authorizations.
How do I grant authorization to another user on my Apple TV?
Authorization for Apple TV is tied to your Apple ID. To allow another user to access your content, you can use Family Sharing or have them log in with your Apple ID. For personal accounts, sharing the Apple ID password is required.
