How many itunes accounts are allowed per computer?

Question

Hi, I'm trying to figure out the best way to handle configuring all 80 of the iPads my business is purchasing.  I know there is a limit of 10 devices per iTunes account.  How many iTunes accounts are permitted per computer? I tried to just create 8 apple ids, which I was able to do online.  But when I try to sign in to those on iTunes, once I get to the part where I verify with a credit card, I can not get past the 3rd one. I have previously signed in with 2 other accounts on my machine, so I'm wondering if there is a limit of 5 accounts per computer.  Can anyone verify?  If that's true, what suggestions do you have for how to get around or best manage this situation?
I'm not as much of a techie as I should be.. but thanks in advance for your help!!

Answer 1

Hi allisonwfrom nc,
The limit you are referring to is for a single personal Apple ID (not for multiple users) that is allowed to be associated with a total of 10 devices (up to 5 computers and the rest on iOS devices). Example you can have 5 computers and 5 iOS devices, 3 computers and 7 iOS devices, but not 6 computers and 4 iOS devices.
From http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html#SERVICE
Association of Associated Devices is subject to the following terms:
i) You may auto-download iTunes Auto-Delivery Content or download previously-purchased iTunes Eligible Content from an Account on up to 10 Associated Devices, provided no more than 5 are iTunes-authorized computers.
Again this is for a single user. For multiple users like in schools or businesses you need to use VPP to purchase multiple licenses. http://www.apple.com/business/vpp/
APP STORE PRODUCT USAGE RULES
( i )If you are an individual acting in your personal capacity, you may download and sync an App Store Product for personal, noncommercial use on any iOS Device you own or control.
( ii ) If you are a commercial enterprise or educational institution, you may download and sync an App Store Product for use by either (a) a single individual on one or more iOS Devices used by that individual that you own or control or (b) multiple individuals, on a single shared iOS Device you own or control. For example, a single employee may use an App Store Product on both the employee's iPhone and iPad, or multiple students may serially use an App Store Product on a single iPad located at a resource center or library. For the sake of clarity, each iOS Device used serially by multiple users requires a separate license.
If you are an educational institution or business you will want to enroll in Apple's Volume Purchase Program (VPP) which allows a single Apple ID to purchase multiple licenses of an app.
There is a free OS X program called Apple Configurator that you can use to distribute the VPP codes to your fleet of iPads. Apple Configurator uses a single Apple ID to install apps on your iPads. Configurator will also allow you to install free apps on multiple iPads using a single Apple ID.
There are a few things I recommend you do to get started:
First I would watch the iOS Deployment Model Videos on the left side of this page:
http://www.apple.com/education/resources/information-technology.html
Then I recommend you read through these two guides:
iOS 6 Education Deployment Guide
http://images.apple.com/education/docs/ios_6_education_deployment_guide.pdf
Apple Configurator Help Guide
http://help.apple.com/configurator/mac/1.0/
This will give you a solid foundation for managing iPads with Apple Configurator. Once you read through these guides you will likely have more specific questions that you can post to these forums.
Hope this answers your question!
~Joe