Deauthorize computer?

[rainbowcat]

According to Apple I have 5 computers authorized to download books, but there is no way to see what they are. Obviously 2 are old computers I no longer have, but I can't deauthorize all 5, because I'll lose my books. What to do please?

 

[MacInWin]

Go here: Apple ID

Sign in with your AppleID and password.

Go to "Devices"

All of the associated devices will appear. Click on one you want to remove, a window will open with the option to delete it from your account. Repeat until all the extraneous ones are gone.

 

[rainbowcat]

Go here: Apple ID

Sign in with your AppleID and password.

Go to "Devices"

All of the associated devices will appear. Click on one you want to remove, a window will open with the option to delete it from your account. Repeat until all the extraneous ones are gone.

Thanks Jake. I found the 4 devices I have, so all should be well, but when I try to use iBooks it keeps telling me that I'm maxed out at 5 devices, and the laptop isn't one of them. Strange!

 

[IWT]

Open the Books app on your Mac.

On the Top Menu Bar, Click on "Store". From the Dropdown, choose "Authorisations". This allows you to authorise or de-authorise "This Computer".

See if that helps.

Ian

 

[ferrarr]

If you go into System Preferences, and select Apple ID, all devices your Apple ID are logged into should be listed in the sidebar. Select the device you no longer use and click Remove from Account.

 

[IWT]

Good call, Bob. I'd forgotten about that simple strategy.

Ian

 

[rainbowcat]

If you go into System Preferences, and select Apple ID, all devices your Apple ID are logged into should be listed in the sidebar. Select the device you no longer use and click Remove from Account.

 

[rainbowcat]

Open the Books app on your Mac.

On the Top Menu Bar, Click on "Store". From the Dropdown, choose "Authorisations". This allows you to authorise or de-authorise "This Computer".

See if that helps.

Ian

It won't let me authorize this laptop, because it still insists that I've authorized 5 devices!

 

[rainbowcat]

If you go into System Preferences, and select Apple ID, all devices your Apple ID are logged into should be listed in the sidebar. Select the device you no longer use and click Remove from Account.

Thanks, but the correct devices are listed there, and iBooks is still insisting I've authorized 5 devices, and won't let me use iBooks on my laptop. I'm afraid to "Deauthorize all devices" because I might not be able to authorize anything then if the system is still insisting I've authorized non-existent devices.

 

[ferrarr]

I'm afraid to "Deauthorize all devices" because I might not be able to authorize anything then if the system is still insisting I've authorized non-existent devices.

Once you de-authorize all devices, you will then have to Authorize each device individually.

I had this issue many many years ago with iTunes. Too many old winOS PC's I never de-authorized, and then I was allowed to authorize each PC as needed.

 

[IWT]

I share and certainly understand your reluctance to Deauthorise All Devices.

That said, I have had to do that on at least 2 occasions over the last few years - all without mishap. It just means reauthorising those that should be listed from scratch. There is a "glitch" somewhere and Deauthorising All starts you off with a clean slate.

Ian

 

[rainbowcat]

I share and certainly understand your reluctance to Deauthorise All Devices.

That said, I have had to do that on at least 2 occasions over the last few years - all without mishap. It just means reauthorising those that should be listed from scratch. There is a "glitch" somewhere and Deauthorising All starts you off with a clean slate.

Ian

I guess I have no choice. Gulp. Problem is the nearest Apple Store is 2 hours away and if I, or Apple, screw this up I don't think I'll be able to fix it. Gulp. Thank you for help and support.

 

[IWT]

You won't screw up. We've all done this before. It creates a clean slate from which you can authorise those devices which you own and are current.

Ian

 

[rainbowcat]

You won't screw up. We've all done this before. It creates a clean slate from which you can authorise those devices which you own and are current.

Ian

Thanks for the encouragement Ian! It did work. Odd thing is the distinction it made between devices and computers. My iPad and iPhone were not deauthorized, and I can't figure out how the app counted to 5, even with the previous laptop I I had. Everything worked out nicely, and I appreciate everyone's help and patience

 

[Slydude]

If you counted all authorized devices (phones, iPads, Apple TVs, etc) would it add up to five devices?

 

[rainbowcat]

If you counted all authorized devices (phones, iPads, Apple TVs, etc) would it add up to five devices?

That's the weird thing - it wouldn't! The good part is that having deauthorized my ancient workhorse iMac, it will no longer be constantly asking me to connect it to iCloud.

 

[IWT]

Well done, my friend. It seemed a daunting task, but in the end it worked. Now you can relax.

Ian

 

[rainbowcat]

Well done, my friend. It seemed a daunting task, but in the end it worked. Now you can relax.

Ian

Thanks Ian!

 

[dlcatftwin]

I share and certainly understand your reluctance to Deauthorise All Devices.

That said, I have had to do that on at least 2 occasions over the last few years - all without mishap. It just means reauthorising those that should be listed from scratch. There is a "glitch" somewhere and Deauthorising All starts you off with a clean slate.

Ian

I agree and can affirm this suggestion. I also have had to deauthorize all the units and then re-authorize the units I actually wanted to have authorized afresh. No harm came to any of my saved media or playlists.
Doing this is NOT like signing out of your iCloud account on a mobile device (it feels quite similar, so I also can understand RainbowCat's hesitation). Best wishes!
DLC

 

[rainbowcat]

I agree and can affirm this suggestion. I also have had to deauthorize all the units and then re-authorize the units I actually wanted to have authorized afresh. No harm came to any of my saved media or playlists.
Doing this is NOT like signing out of your iCloud account on a mobile device (it feels quite similar, so I also can understand RainbowCat's hesitation). Best wishes!
DLC

Thanks DLC - it all worked out nicely.