Confused about iTunes authorization limits

[ficbot]

I have a question about iTunes authorization limits. I know you can have five 'computers' per account, but does iTunes consider iPod Touches and iPads to be computers or not? I am asking because I use an iPod Touch and an iPad currently, and will shortly be getting new ones. My boyfriend would like to but the old ones off of me and continue to use the apps currently on them. If he wants to buy apps, he will do it on the device itself; if he wants to sync with iTunes, he will do it through my computer. He is not putting music on it or read on it like I do; he just wants to play video games

So, will I have any problems with this? It will mean two iPads and two iPods running through my one computer and my one iTunes account. Can this be done?

[kjk]

Originally Posted by ficbot

So, will I have any problems with this? It will mean two iPads and two iPods running through my one computer and my one iTunes account. Can this be done?

We have 2 iPads, 3 iPhones, and 2 iPods on one account with no issues.
(1 iTunes account, 3 computers however).

In the past, there was a 5 computers/unlimited devices rule per iTunes account.
I checked the latest T&C, and:

Association of Associated Devices is subject to the following terms:

(i) You may auto-download Eligible Content or download previously-purchased Eligible Content from an Account on up to 10 Associated Devices, provided no more than 5 are iTunes-authorized computers.

(ii) An Associated Device can be associated with only one Account at any given time.

(iii) You may switch an Associated Device to a different Account only once every 90 days.

(iv) You may download previously-purchased free content onto an unlimited number of devices while it is free on the App and Book Services, but on no more than 5 iTunes-authorized computers.

The above terms (i) to (iv) do not apply to App Store Products.

Which sounds like they are limiting "re-downloading" and the iCloud "auto-synching" of some content to 10 devices total-which seems odd.

But you should be fine with your combo


Edit: Ok, looks like this support doc has updated info:

When you turn on Automatic Downloads or download past purchases on an iOS device or computer, your device or computer will be associated with your Apple ID. Your Apple ID can have up to 10 devices and computers (combined) associated with it. Each computer must also be authorized using the same Apple ID. Once a device or computer is associated with your Apple ID, you cannot associate that device or computer with another Apple ID for 90 days

I believe this is pretty new. You are still ok though!


Edit edit: The plot thickens! The limits seem to be only for the Automatic Download/Re-download previous purchases features (which are also US only for now). One of our iPhones is not signed in to Auto Download, and doesn't count towards my limit of 10 devices. But he can download/buy songs, apps, etc. on the account with no problems. Weird.

[ficbot]

So, if I turn off the auto-downloading and make him sync with the computer, his two devices won't count as my limit? So confusing! I always never paid a second thought to the device limit since I was just one person, but now that I am starting to share my life with someone else, this is suddenly an issue for me since he will have devices too. And it makes no sense, if it's an app that both of us want, to have to buy it twice just so he has a separate account. I can't imagine what a mess this will be if we ever have kids and they too have devices! What a hassle.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by ficbot

So, if I turn off the auto-downloading and make him sync with the computer, his two devices won't count as my limit? So confusing! I always never paid a second thought to the device limit since I was just one person, but now that I am starting to share my life with someone else, this is suddenly an issue for me since he will have devices too. And it makes no sense, if it's an app that both of us want, to have to buy it twice just so he has a separate account. I can't imagine what a mess this will be if we ever have kids and they too have devices! What a hassle.

As long as combined you are under 11 devices, you can have them all auto download. You could both have a computer, an iPhone, an iPad, and a Touch, all on one account (8 total) and still have 2 more Apple products to spare for your kids!

We share apps and music across 3 people with no problem-you'll be fine

[ficbot]

Thanks :-)