How to Deauthorize an Old iPhone in iTunes on Computer
Successfully removing an old iPhone from your iTunes account is crucial for several reasons. It prevents unauthorized access to your content, frees up space for new devices on your account's authorization limit, and generally keeps your Apple ecosystem tidy. While iTunes is no longer actively developed, many users still rely on older versions for managing devices. This guide will walk you through the process for deauthorizing an old iPhone in iTunes on a computer.
Important Note: If you're using macOS Catalina or later, iTunes functionality is integrated into the Finder. The process is slightly different but still straightforward. We will cover both scenarios.
Using iTunes (for Windows and older macOS versions):
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Open iTunes: Locate and launch the iTunes application on your computer.
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Connect Your Old iPhone (Optional but Recommended): While not strictly required, connecting your old iPhone helps iTunes identify the specific device. This step makes the deauthorization process more reliable.
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Access Account Information: Click on "Account" located in the top menu bar. Then, select "Authorizations" from the dropdown menu.
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Deauthorize This Computer: Choose "Deauthorize This Computer." You'll be prompted to confirm your choice. Click "Deauthorize" again.
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Deauthorize All Computers (If Necessary): If you wish to remove your authorization from all computers, select "Deauthorize All Computers." Note that doing this requires signing in again to authorize new computers later.
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Verification: Once completed, iTunes will confirm the deauthorization process. Disconnect your iPhone (if connected).
Using Finder (macOS Catalina and later):
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Connect Your Old iPhone: Connect your old iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.
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Locate Your iPhone in Finder: Your iPhone should appear in the Finder sidebar under "Locations." If not, ensure your device is unlocked and trusted on your Mac.
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Access General Information: Select your iPhone in the Finder sidebar.
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Deauthorize the Device (If Necessary): If you see the option to "Deauthorize this computer" in the main window, you can proceed by clicking it. If this option does not show up, that means your iPhone has not been authorized on this computer before. You do not need to complete any other steps in this case.
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Verification: Once completed, the Finder will confirm the deauthorization. Disconnect your iPhone.
What if I don't have access to the old computer or iPhone?
If you no longer have access to the old computer or iPhone, you unfortunately may not be able to deauthorize it directly using iTunes or Finder. In such cases, you have two options:
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Wait for Automatic Deauth: After a certain period of inactivity, Apple will automatically deauthorize older computers that have not been used. This process could take several months, depending on Apple's policies.
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Contact Apple Support: They can assist in removing the authorization from your account. Be prepared to provide relevant account information and details about the old device.
How Many Computers Can I Authorize?
Apple allows you to authorize up to five computers to access your purchased music, movies, and apps. Once you reach this limit, you need to deauthorize a computer to authorize a new one.
What happens after deauthorizing?
After deauthorizing a computer, you can no longer play content purchased through your Apple ID on that particular computer without re-authorizing. Your content remains available on your other authorized devices and your Apple ID.
By following these steps, you can successfully deauthorize your old iPhone from your iTunes or Finder account, ensuring smooth management of your Apple devices and preventing potential security risks. Remember to always keep your Apple ID and passwords secure.
