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ridgecritter
User level: Level 1 (32 points)

Need help with "associated" vs "authorized" devices.

Need help with "associated" vs "authorized" devices.


(1) How can I see a list of my "authorized" devices? Not "associated" devices, but "authorized" devices.


a. I want to authorize a new Mac mini. It replaces a prior Mini that died and was replaced under AppleCare. I prepped the failing Mini by signing it out of my Apple account and by going through all the other recommended "do these when you're getting rid of your Apple device" steps. That machine is dead and was returned to Apple. When I try to authorize my new Mini, I get a window saying I have five devices already authorized.


b. When I follow Apple's instructions: launch Apple TV or Music, go to Account->Account Settings->Manage Devices, I get a list of (3) devices that are "associated" with my Apple account for purchases, downloads, etc.


c. When I go to Apple Music->Account->Account Settings->Authorized Devices, all I get is a dialog box asking me to confirm deauthorizing "...all your currently authorized computers..." It doesn't list those computers or give me an option of deauthorizing machines individually.


So where/how can I get a list of authorized computers?


(2). Our media files reside on this new Mini. When I try to enable Media Sharing (System Settings->General->Sharing->Media Sharing), it fails. Error messages all ultimately lead back to the "five devices already authorized" issue.


(a) I currently own/use three Apple computers: an M2 Mini, an M4 Mini, and an M5 MacBook Pro. (all on Tahoe) I can't even determine whether any of these computers are authorized. Here are the issues:


(b) On any of these machines, if I launch Apple Music, then Account->Authorizations, I get a choice of "Authorize This Computer..." or "Deauthorize This Computer...". Nothing tells me whether the computer is or is not already authorized. Information in other Apple documents discusses a 90 day time limit before being able to "authorize" (or is it "associate"?) a computer with my Apple account. I also recall that double-authorizing the same machine uses up two authorizations, even if they're the same. Does this mean that if I deauthorize the unlistable 5 authorized devices, I won't be able to re-authorize them for 90 days? I have not gone forward further. I'm afraid of screwing up whatever authorization/association scheme is currently running.


How can I authorize media sharing on this Mini, given that there's no way apparent to me to do that without unforeseen consequences?


Finally, a rhetorical question, no response needed: Why is Apple walking away from "it just works"? My struggles with Media Sharing are just one example. Don't get me started on turning on/off iCloud functions without having to parse a bunch of warnings about losing local copies, etc. Don't get me started on disk permission **** when trying to recover info from an Apple RAID1 array ("I can't do that because it might not be proof against future attempts to recover data" - paraphrasing it, but you get the gist). /rant off


Any help with my first two questions is greatly appreciated. Thank you.


Posted on Oct 7, 2026 2:28 PM

4 replies

MartinR
User level: Level 7 (27,833 points)

Oct 7, 2026 3:18 PM in response to ridgecritter

Regarding Apple Music/iTunes/AppleTV authorization, the only way to authorize or deauthorize an individual device is through the app on each device, one at a time. You cannot get a list of all authorized devices or manage them as a group.


Since you no longer have the Mac mini you want to deauthorize, your only option is to deauthorize all devices and then go back and individually reauthorize each device you DO have. You can only deauthorize all once per year but you can authorize or deauthorize an individual Mac at any time.


It has always been this way.


For more info, see Authorize or deauthorize your computer for Apple Account purchases - Apple Support

Servant of Cats
User level: Level 9 (55,707 points)

Oct 7, 2026 3:11 PM in response to ridgecritter

I don't think you can get a list of authorized computers.


You can

  • Authorize or deauthorize individual computers (on those computers, themselves)
  • See the total number of authorized computers
  • Deauthorize all computers ("only once a year")


The "deauthorize all computers" seems to be the only way to remove authorizations for dead or no-longer-used computers.


Authorize or deauthorize your computer for Apple Account purchases - Apple Support


"Deauthorize a computer that you don't have access to

You have to deauthorize all of your computers, then authorize each computer that you have again. You can deauthorize all computers only once a year."

Servant of Cats
User level: Level 9 (55,707 points)

Oct 7, 2026 3:33 PM in response to ridgecritter

You've probably also seen this:

View and remove your devices that are associated with your Apple Account for purchases - Apple Support


FYI, the number of computers in my "associated" list is not the same as the number of "authorized computers". I don't know if the "authorized" list (which I can't see) is

  • counting my Intel-based iMac twice (different startup disks?), or
  • counting my PowerPC-based iMac


Just found this: Authorization vs. association – Apple Community

ridgecritter Author
User level: Level 1 (32 points)

Oct 8, 2026 5:55 AM in response to ridgecritter

Thanks for the very helpful replies! I'll deauthorize all devices, then reauthorize from each device.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256372134