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How to Change Your iCloud Account

This wikiHow teaches you how to switch the iCloud account associated with your Apple device to a different account.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

On iPhone or iPad

  1. It's a gray app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically located on your home screen.
    • If you are trying to change iCloud accounts on an iPhone or iPad that you purchased secondhand, click here ↓ .
  2. It's the section at the top of the screen that contains your name and image if you've added one.
    • If you are running an older version of iOS, instead tap iCloud .
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  3. It's the last selection on the menu.
  4. Type the password associated with your Apple ID into the dialog box.
  5. It's at the bottom of the dialog box. Doing so disables "Find My iPhone" on the device for the current iCloud account.
  6. To keep copies of any old iCloud data, such as contacts, on your device, slide the buttons next to the corresponding app names to the "On" (green) position.
    • To delete all iCloud data from your device, make sure all buttons are "Off" (white).
  7. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  8. Doing so confirms that you want to sign out of the iCloud account currently associated with your device.
  9. It's a gray app that contains an image of gears (⚙️) and is on your home screen.
  10. It's at the top of the menu. [1]
    • If you want to create a new Apple ID, tap Don't have an Apple ID or forgot it? below the password field on the screen, and follow the on-screen prompts to set up your free Apple ID and iCloud account.
    • If you are running an older version of iOS, instead tap iCloud .
  12. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
    • The screen will intermittently display the message "Signing into iCloud" as it accesses your data during the sign-in process.
  13. This is the unlock code you established for your device when you set it up.
  14. If you'd like the calendars, reminders, contacts, notes, and other data stored on your device to be merged with your iCloud account, tap Merge ; if not, tap Don't Merge .
  15. It's in the second section of the menu.
  16. In the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section, slide each desired type to the "On" (green) or "Off" (white) position.
    • The selected data will be available on iCloud and any devices signed in to your current iCloud account.
    • Scroll down to see the complete list of apps that may access iCloud.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

On Mac

  1. It's the black, apple-shaped icon in the upper-left corner of your screen.
  2. It's in the second section of the drop-down menu.
  3. It's on the left side of the window.
  4. It's in the lower-left corner of the window.
    • All of your iCloud data, including calendar entries and iCloud photos, will be removed from the Mac.
    • If you get an error message while trying to sign out, it may be caused by a conflict with your iPhone or other iOS device. Open Settings on the device, tap your Apple ID, then tap iCloud , tap Keychain and slide the "iCloud Keychain" button to the "On" (green) position. [2]
  5. It's the black, apple-shaped icon in the upper-left of your screen.
  6. It's in the second section of the drop-down menu.
  8. It's at the top of the dialog box. [3]
    • If you want to create a new Apple ID, click on Create Apple ID... below the Apple ID field on the screen, then follow the onscreen prompts to set up your free Apple ID and iCloud account.
  9. Do so by typing the email address and password associated with your Apple ID into the labeled fields in the right pane of the dialog box.
  10. It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
  11. Do so by entering your Mac's admin name and password.
    • If prompted, enter another device's unlock code. This is because you have enabled two-step verification.
  12. Check the upper selection in the dialog box to if you'd like the calendars, reminders, contacts, notes, and other data stored on your device to be merged with your iCloud account. Check the lower box to enable your Mac to be found in case it's lost or stolen.
  13. It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
    • Click on Allow to enable your Mac's location to be used by "Find My Mac."
  14. Do so if you want to store files and documents on iCloud.
    • Select which apps have permission to access iCloud Drive by clicking on the Options button next to "iCloud Drive" in the dialog box.
  15. Do so by checking the boxes below "iCloud Drive". For example, check "Photos" if you want to back up and access your Photos on iCloud. Now, your selected data can be accessed on iCloud and on any devices signed in to your current iCloud account.
    • You may need to scroll down to see all the selections.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Secondhand iOS Devices

  1. If you purchased your iPhone used from someone and their iCloud account is still signed in, you'll need to contact them to have them remove the iPhone from their account. There is no other way to remove this account from the device. Even after a factory reset, you will still be asked for their login information.
  2. The previous owner can quickly release the iPhone from their account by way of the iCloud website. Instruct them to log into icloud.com with the account that is associated with your device.
  3. This will open their iCloud Settings page.
  4. This will open a new window with the iPhone's details.
  5. This will remove the iPhone from their account, allowing you to log in with your own iCloud account.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I delete an account if I forgot my iCloud password?
    Community Answer
    You can have them send you a new password if you have a different email linked to the account, then sign in and continue using it or delete it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 35
  • Question
    How do I figure out whose iCloud account is on my phone?
    Community Answer
    Go to Settings, then to the iCloud icon, and you will see the address of the iCloud account.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 11
  • Question
    How do I add my own iCloud account if I bought the phone secondhand?
    Community Answer
    If you bought the phone secondhand and the previous owner has released it from their account, just go to "Settings" and log in like usual. You could also reset the device (for the account) and log in that way. If their account is still there and you are unable to log in, follow the steps above.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204053
      2. ↑ http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/179062/unable-to-sign-out-of-icloud-on-osx-yosemite-or-disable-keychain
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204053

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Settings .
      2. Tap your Apple ID.
      3. Tap Sign Out .
      4. Enter your password.
      5. Tap Turn Off .
      6. Select data to keep.
      7. Tap Sign Out .
      8. Return to Settings and tap iCloud .
      9. Tap Sign in .
      10. Follow the on-screen instructions.

      Did this summary help you?
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        Jul 9, 2016

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