Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MasturB

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 31, 2014
87
29
I'm not sure if ATV's count against the device limit.

I have signed into my iTunes e-mail:

  • MacBook Pro
  • iMac 5k
  • iPhone 8+
  • iPhone SE (use it basically for iPod in the gym)
  • iPad Pro 2
  • iPad 2

I also now have 3 AppleTV's (2 4K's and a regular HD). I am considering cord cutting so I may get 2-3 more appleTV's for the other bedrooms in the house and another one for my parents to use at their house for whenever I bring the kids there so the kids have their movies to watch. Someone also said if I get my parents an ATV to just have their own email to sign in and I can share my iTunes Movie and TV Show library with their account?

I've googled it but there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer. Hoping someone can help me clarify.
 
For absolute clarity you'll probably have to call Apple. However, this Apple support article makes no mention of Apple TVs as "associated" devices: https://support.apple.com/HT204074
Your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, or Android phone automatically associate with your Apple ID and iTunes when you use certain iTunes features.
and when I check my list of associated devices, my Apple TV is not on the list.
 
I'm not sure if ATV's count against the device limit.
They don't:

Quote: "You don’t need to authorize your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or other Apple device. These devices don’t use your available authorizations."

There used to be a limit (I believe 10?) for iOS devices, but apparently they've done away with that.
 
They don't:

Quote: "You don’t need to authorize your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or other Apple device. These devices don’t use your available authorizations."

There used to be a limit (I believe 10?) for iOS devices, but apparently they've done away with that.
Ah, but there's a difference between computer Authorizations (5 computers total) and "Associations" of devices (10 devices total).

The Authorizations go back to pre-iOS (iPod) days, when the record industry was concerned about people cloning iTunes libraries. Limiting the number of computers using an iTunes account would prevent the same library from showing up on the computers of billions and billions of teenagers.

Once iOS came along and the idea that one person might legitimately have many devices connected to the same account, they added "Associations."

There's some overlap of purpose between Authorizations and Associations, but they operate semi-autonomously of each other, and you'll still see separate management items for them in iTunes account info (on a PC or Mac).
 
Ah, but there's a difference between computer Authorizations (5 computers total) and "Associations" of devices (10 devices total).
Yes, but the title of this thread asks specifically about authorization. The concept of association as defined by Apple makes little sense for the ATV since it can't download iTunes content anyway.
 
Yes, but the title of this thread asks specifically about authorization. The concept of association as defined by Apple makes little sense for the ATV since it can't download iTunes content anyway.


Well I don't care about authorization or association.

I just don't want to get my account randomly banned for having too many devices stuck to it. I've spent almost $2k on iTunes with Movies and TV Shows. I don't think I ever watch those shows on my iPod or iPad sometimes I do on my Mac when on an airplane. Would be pissed if my iTunes email got expelled for something so stupid.

If they don't count AppleTV's then that's great because I'm spending $150-$180 per AppleTV anyways.
 
Fortunately, they don't ban accounts over this sort of thing. Once you reach your 5 computer or 10 device limit, you just can't add another until you do some housecleaning of your list.
 
Related, Apple TV is a crippled experience on iPad. On Apple TV and Samsung TV's app you can add multiple Apple accounts and switch between them instantly (saved) without issue. On iPad it's been made to only allow you to switch accounts every x months? Whut? Inconsistent and nonsense. It also prevents you from watching something of a friend on your device 1 time only.
[automerge]1577679642[/automerge]
Family sharing... that gives your payment info away. Unless the other users age is < x years old and after reaching 18 (?) they again can use your payment info without your approval. Artificial limitations that makes things so messy and difficult to use in practice unless you trust all your kids with your CC info ;)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.