We continue to report cases where users encounter the "Cannot Open - This Content Is Not Authorized" error on Apple Music. This issue affects devices across the Apple ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Windows PCs, and often disrupts the playback of both streamed and downloaded content. Many users describe opening the Apple Music app expecting a seamless experience, only to be blocked by sudden authorization failures that prevent access to songs, albums, or playlists.
In this troubleshooting guide, we outline the most common causes of the "Content Is Not Authorized" error along with the most effective solutions based on real-world user experiences. Our goal is to provide a clear and practical path to help restore your Apple Music access as easily as possible.
Part 1: Why Does Apple Music Say "This Content Is Not Authorized"
The "This Content Is Not Authorized" error on Apple Music typically points to issues with content authorization or account verification. While this problem can arise after software updates or subscription changes, it can also occur without an obvious cause. Some users experience this error on specific tracks or albums, while others face it across their entire library.
The main causes for this error are usually tied to subscription status, syncing issues, device limits, or outdated app versions. Here's a breakdown of the most common reasons:
Apple ID Authorization Issues: If you're signed in with a different Apple ID than the one used for your Apple Music subscription or music purchases, the system won't recognize your access, triggering the error.
Subscription Problems: An expired or cancelled Apple Music subscription prevents the app from verifying your rights to the content, resulting in this error message.
Device Authorization Limits: Apple limits the number of devices authorized per Apple ID. Exceeding this limit can prevent content from playing on new devices.
Corrupted Files or Syncing Issues: Corrupted files or syncing failures between devices can lead to authorization errors, preventing music from playing correctly.
Content Restrictions: Parental controls or content restrictions may block access to certain content, causing the error message to appear.
Part 2: How to Fix "This Content Is Not Authorized" on Apple Music
Check Apple Music System Status
There are times when the "This content is not authorized" error isn't something on your end, but a problem with Apple's servers. It's always a good idea to check if there are any ongoing issues affecting Apple Music services. Visit the Apple System Status page, and see if any services are down or experiencing problems. If that's the case, it's usually just a temporary issue that'll resolve on its own.
Restart Your iPhone (or iPad)
A quick restart of your iPhone or iPad can clear up minor glitches, including the "This content is not authorized" error. It's one of the easiest ways to tackle authorization problems. Power off your device, wait a moment, then turn it back on. This simple step can resolve a lot of issues that may be causing the problem.
Sign Out and Back Into Your Apple ID (Same One)
Sometimes, re-authenticating your Apple ID is the key to fixing authorization errors. If you sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in using the same account, it can refresh your authorization status. On your iPhone, go to Settings, tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. After signing out, sign back in with your Apple ID credentials. This usually resolves issues caused by mismatched Apple IDs.
Check Your Apple Music Subscription
Issues with your Apple Music subscription can trigger the "This content is not authorized" error. If your subscription has expired, is canceled, or there's a problem with your payment method, you'll run into this issue. To check your subscription, go to Settings, tap your Apple ID, then select Subscriptions. Verify that your Apple Music subscription is active. If there's a problem, update your payment information or renew your subscription. You can also reach out to Apple Support for help.
Check Cellular Data Settings (If Streaming)
When streaming via cellular data, incorrect data settings can prevent Apple Music from authorizing content. If you have Cellular Data enabled for Apple Music, make sure the settings are correct. Go to Settings > Cellular, then scroll down and ensure Apple Music is allowed to use your mobile data. Toggle both Streaming and Download options so you're set up for uninterrupted streaming and downloading.
Turn Off and On Sync Library
Sync Library is what keeps your entire music library in sync across devices, so if you're having authorization issues, toggling this setting off and on can help. To do so, go to Settings > Music, then toggle off Sync Library. After waiting a few seconds, toggle it back on. This can often resolve syncing problems and fix any authorization issues that arise.
Unhide Apple Music Purchases
Hidden music purchases are often the culprit behind authorization issues. If you've hidden songs or albums in the past, they might not authorize correctly. Open the Apple Music app, tap your profile picture, then tap Purchased. Look for hidden items and tap the cloud icon to unhide and re-download them. This should fix any issues where content is not showing up or being authorized.
Check Greyed Out Songs in iTunes
If songs in your iTunes library are greyed out, it usually means there's an authorization issue. This typically happens when your devices aren't authorized properly. Open iTunes or Music on your computer, then go to your Library and check for greyed-out tracks. Right-click on the song, select Check Selection, then re-download it if needed. If the song was previously downloaded, remove the download and click the cloud icon to re-download it.
Check Song Status in iTunes
Sometimes, songs will show an exclamation mark in iTunes, indicating they have authorization problems. To fix this, locate the song with the exclamation mark, and click on it. A message will pop up asking if you'd like to locate the song. Click Locate, and iTunes will help you find the file on your device.
Update Apple Music App / Update iOS
Outdated apps or iOS versions can sometimes cause authorization issues. It's a good idea to check for any available updates to ensure your app and device software are up to date. Open the App Store or Google Play, search for Apple Music, and check if an update is available. You should also go to Settings > General > Software Update on iOS to ensure your device is running the latest version of iOS.
Delete and Redownload Problematic Songs
If only a specific song or album is giving you trouble, deleting it and re-downloading it can often solve the issue. In the Apple Music app, find the problematic song, tap the three dots next to it, and select Remove Download. After that, tap the cloud icon to re-download the song. This can resolve issues where the content was not properly authorized during the initial download.
Authorize Your Computer (PC/Mac Only)
If you're using Apple Music or iTunes on a PC or Mac, you need to authorize your computer for access to purchased content. To do this, open iTunes (or the Music app on macOS), go to Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password to authorize the device. Once authorized, your computer should be able to access all your music without any authorization issues.
You may encounter some errors when using iCloud Music Library. To solve your annoyance, here we'll guide you to turn off iCloud Music Library on iPhone, Mac, or PC step by step.
What will you do when iTunes songs or Apple Music greyed out? Here are some solutions to fix the problem. Just try to use them to fix your problem fastly.
By authorizing your computer for Apple Music, you can access and play music effortlessly.
Part 4: Use an Apple Music Downloader (Optional But Beneficial)
If you're encountering persistent authorization issues, another option is to download your Apple Music content using a third-party tool like the ViWizard Apple Music Converter. While Apple Music's built-in offline downloads are convenient, they often come with DRM restrictions that can cause playback issues on non-Apple devices, leading to the "This content is not authorized" message.
In this case, a workaround is to bypass DRM restrictions entirely. The ViWizard Apple Music Converter can help by converting your Apple Music tracks into standard audio formats like MP3, FLAC, or WAV. This allows you to play your music freely on any device, even offline, without the usual authorization limitations.
While not strictly necessary for everyone, using this tool can be especially helpful if you're tired of dealing with constant authorization problems. Consider it a simple, flexible solution for uninterrupted music enjoyment.
A full-featured Apple Music converter that easily converts Apple Music songs, albums, playlists—including iCloud Music Library content, personalized recommendations, and curated playlists—into MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, AIFF, and FLAC so you can keep your Apple Music forever or transfer it to any device without restrictions.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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