This article shows you how to change the iCloud account associated with an Apple device. To learn more and find out how, read on.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: iPhone and iPad
Step 1. Launch the Device Settings app
It features a gray icon made up of a series of gears (⚙️) and is located within the Home screen.
If you need to change the iCloud account on a second-hand purchased iPhone or iPad, please refer to this section of the article ↓
Step 2. Select the current Apple ID associated with the device
It is located at the top of the "Settings" menu and is characterized by your name and the profile picture you have chosen.
If you are using an older version of iOS, select the iCloud option
Step 3. Scroll down the appeared menu, then press the Exit button
It is the last item in the list.
Step 4. Provide the password
Type the authentication password of the Apple ID currently associated with the device in the text field that appears.
Step 5. Tap Deactivate
It is located at the bottom of the pop-up window. This will disable the "Find My iPhone" feature associated with the device and current iCloud account.
Step 6. Select the data you want to keep on the device
To make sure that a copy of your personal information stored in iCloud (such as contacts) remain on the device in use, activate the relevant sliders by moving them to the right, so that they take on a green color.
To delete all the information on iCloud from the device, make sure that all the sliders of the items present are disabled by moving them to the left (they must have a white color)
Step 7. Tap the Sign Out link
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 8. Press the Exit button
This will confirm that you want to unlink the current iCloud account from the device.
Step 9. Launch the Device Settings app again
It features a gray icon consisting of a series of gears (⚙️) and is located within the Home screen.
Step 10. Tap the Sign in to your [device_name] link
It is located at the top of the appeared menu.
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If you need to create a new Apple ID and its iCloud account, select the Don't have an Apple ID or have you forgotten it?
located below the field to enter the authentication password, then follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
- If you are using an older version of iOS, select the iCloud option.
Step 11. Enter your Apple ID username and password
Step 12. Press the Next button
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen.
The intermittent "Sign in to iCloud" message will appear on the screen as the device accesses the information in your iCloud account
Step 13. Enter the device unlock code
This is the security code you created during the initial setup process.
Step 14. Merge existing data
If you need to keep the personal data on the device (contacts, calendars, reminders, notes) and to download those contained in the iCloud account, choose the option " Merge". If not, choose the item" Don't merge".
Step 15. Select the iCloud option
It is located within the second section of the menu.
Step 16. Choose the type of information you want to store on iCloud
To do this, activate the sliders of the related apps, listed in the "Apps that use iCloud" section, by moving them to the right so that they take on a green color (or deactivate them by moving them to the left so that they take on a white color).
- The chosen data will be synchronized to iCloud and will be available for any Apple device connected to the current Apple ID.
- Scroll through the list located in the "Apps using iCloud" section to see the complete list of apps that can have access to iCloud.
Method 2 of 3: Mac
Step 1. Enter the "Apple" menu
It features the classic Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Choose the System Preferences item
It is located in the second section of the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 3. Click the iCloud icon
It is located in the left part of the "System Preferences" window.
Step 4. Press the Exit button
It is located in the lower left corner of the window.
- All data stored on iCloud, including calendars and photos, will be removed from your computer.
- If you receive an error message during the logout phase, it could be due to an existing conflict with an iPhone or other iOS device. Launch the Settings app of the device, select the current Apple ID it is associated with, choose the item " iCloud", select the option" Key holder"and activate the" iCloud Keychain "slider by moving it to the right (so that it takes on a green color).
Step 5. Enter the "Apple" menu again
It features the classic Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the desktop.
Step 6. Choose the System Preferences item
It is located in the second section of the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 7. Click the iCloud icon
It is located in the left part of the "System Preferences" window.
Step 8. Press the Login button
It is located at the top of the dialog that appears.
If you need to create a new Apple ID, select the link " Create Apple ID …"located below the" Apple ID "text field, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Step 9. Type the username and password of the Apple ID you want to use
Enter the e-mail address and password associated with your Apple ID in the respective text fields in the right pane of the dialog box.
Step 10. Press the Login button
It is located in the lower right corner of the dialog box.
Step 11. Change the iCloud service configuration settings
In order to do this you will need to provide the login credentials of a Mac administrator account.
If prompted, provide the security code received on one of your iOS devices. This step is required when Apple ID 2-Step Verification is enabled
Step 12. Choose your sync settings
Select the upper check button, to make sure that the data on your Mac is synchronized with the data already on iCloud, for example your contacts, calendars, reminders, notes and Safari data. Select the lower check button to be able to locate your computer if it is lost or stolen.
Step 13. Press the Next button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window.
Push the button " Allow"to authorize your Mac to share its geographic location: information that will be used by the" Find My Mac "feature if it is lost or stolen.
Step 14. Select the "iCloud Drive" checkbox
In this way you will have the possibility to store files and documents on the Mac on iCloud.
Choose which applications will have permissions to access iCloud Drive by clicking the " Options"located next to" iCloud Drive ".
Step 15. Select the type of data you want to sync with iCloud
To do this, use the check buttons listed under "iCloud Drive". For example, if you want to store your photos in iCloud, select the "Photos" checkbox. At this point they will be accessible from any device associated with the current iCloud account.
You may need to scroll down to get a full picture of all the options available
Method 3 of 3: Secondhand iOS devices
Step 1. Contact the previous owner
If you purchased a used iPhone, still associated with the previous owner's iCloud account, you will need to contact the person to ask them to remove the association between the device and their profile. Unfortunately, there is no alternative way to delete the account from the device: even after performing a factory reset, in order to access the iPhone, you will still have to provide the username and password of the current associated Apple ID.
Step 2. Kindly ask the previous owner to log into the iCloud website with their account
This way he can remove your device from his profile quickly and easily. Ask him to log in to the icloud.com website using the account that is currently associated with his previous device.
Step 3. Tell him to press the "Settings" button on the iCloud web page
This will give him access to the configuration settings of the iCloud service related to his account.
Step 4. Ask him to select his old iPhone, which he will find listed in the list of Apple devices associated with his account
A new device information dialog will appear.
Step 5. Tell him to press the "X" icon next to the iPhone name
Doing so will remove it from his account allowing you to associate him with your iCloud profile.
