That message is from Apple’s systems (iTunes/Music/Books/TV/App Store) telling you the Mac/PC you’re on isn’t yet authorized to use your Apple ID purchases. You fix it inside the relevant Apple app’s menu.
What the message means
You’re signed into your Apple ID, but the computer itself is not “authorized” to access previously purchased content (music, books, movies, etc.). This usually happens on a new or reinstalled machine, or after changing hardware.
How to authorize on a Mac
In most cases do this:
- Open one of these apps on your Mac:
- Apple Music (or iTunes on older macOS)
- Apple TV
- Apple Books
- Make sure you’re signed in with the correct Apple ID in that app.
- In the top menu bar, click Account (sometimes labeled Store or within the app’s name menu on older versions).
- Choose Authorizations → Authorize This Computer… (or similar wording).
- Enter your Apple ID and password, then confirm.
After this, try downloading the previous purchases again.
If you still don’t see “Account” or “Authorize”
- In Apple Books: look at the very top menu bar (next to the Apple logo) when Books is active; Account should appear there.
- In Apple Music or TV: again, the Account menu is in the macOS menu bar, not inside the window itself.
- On older iTunes: the menu might be called Store instead of Account, with an option like Authorize This Computer.
If none of that matches what you see, tell what app you’re using (Music, Books, TV, App Store, Windows iTunes, etc.) and your OS version, and a step‑by‑step for that exact setup can be given.
