How to delete an Apple ID account

How to permanently delete an Apple ID account

If you’ve decided it’s time to move on from Apple, you can permanently delete your Apple ID. But before you do, think carefully about it. Deleting your Apple ID will wipe all the data tied to your account from Apple’s servers, including iCloud photos, contacts, app purchases, and even your Apple Music library. Once deleted, there’s no going back.

But if you’re sure about your decision, follow these steps to permanently delete your Apple account:

1. 1.Go to Apple’s data and privacy site at “privacy.apple.com” and log in with the Apple ID you want to remove.
   
2. 2.Scroll down to “Delete your account” and click on “Request to delete your account.”
   
3. 3.Select a reason for deletion (for example, “Privacy concerns” or “No longer use Apple devices”) and click “Continue.”
   
4. 4.Carefully review Apple’s warnings about what will happen once you delete your Apple ID. Then, select “Continue.”
   
5. 5.Read through and agree to Apple’s deletion terms and conditions, then select “Continue” again.
   
6. 6.Choose how Apple should reach you during the deletion process (via email, phone, or another account).
   
7. 7.You will get a unique code that lets you confirm your deletion request or cancel it before completing. Note it down.
   
8. 8.Enter the access code, click “Continue,” then select “Delete account” to submit the form.
   

Apple usually takes up to a week to finish the process, and you’ll get a confirmation email when it’s done.

Can you delete an Apple ID account without the password?

If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password, you’ll need to reset it before you can delete your account. Apple requires users to verify ownership before processing the request to protect their privacy and prevent anyone else from deleting their account. 

If you’ve forgotten your password, go to “iforgot.apple.com” and reset it first. Once you regain access, you can follow the steps above to delete your Apple ID.

How to remove an Apple ID from an iPhone

But you don’t have to delete your account completely to secure your iPhone. If you’re selling your iPhone, giving it to a friend, or trading it in, you can simply remove your Apple ID from your iPhone:

1. 1.Open the Settings app.
   
2. 2.Tap your name at the top of the screen.
   
3. 3.Scroll to the bottom and select “Sign out.”
   
4. 4.Choose if you want to erase the iPhone after signing out or not. 
   
5. 5.Carefully read the information and tap “Continue” in the next two steps. 
   
6. 6.Enter your password and tap “Confirm and sign out” to finish.
   

Once you sign out, your iPhone will no longer be linked to your account, and you’ll lose access to iCloud and other services tied to that ID.

How to remove a device from Apple ID

If you no longer have the phone, you can also remove a device from your Apple user account remotely:

1. 1.Go to the Settings app on another iPhone or iPad.
   
2. 2.Tap your account name at the top of the screen.
   
3. 3.Scroll down until you see the list of linked devices. Select the one you want to unlink.
   
4. 4.Tap “Remove from account” and confirm.
   

If you don’t have another iOS device, you can remove a device from a computer:

1. 1.Go to “icloud.com” and sign in. If prompted, enter the 6-digit code sent to your phone for 2FA.
   
2. 2.Click on the “Find My” icon. Confirm your identity by entering the login details again.
   
3. 3.Find the “All devices” tab and choose your iPhone.
   
4. 4.Click “Remove,” and confirm your action.
   

How to deactivate an Apple ID

You can deactivate your Apple ID instead of deleting it. Deactivation temporarily disables your account, making your data and purchases inaccessible, but not erased. This option is great if you’re leaving Apple for a while but may return later.

To deactivate your Apple ID, follow these steps:

1. 1.Visit Apple’s data and privacy site at “privacy.apple.com” and log in using the ID you want to deactivate.
   
2. 2.Scroll down to “Request to deactivate your account” and select it.
   
3. 3.Select a reason (for example, taking a break or switching phones) and click “Continue.”
   
4. 4.Review Apple’s terms and select “Continue” again.
   
5. 5.Confirm the way you want to be contacted.
   
6. 6.Note down the unique code provided. You’ll need it to submit the form and reactivate your account.
   
7. 7.Enter the code and choose “Continue.” Then select “Deactivate account” to finalize your request.
   

After you confirm, Apple will disable your account, pausing all services like App Store purchases and iCloud sync. You can reactivate your Apple account anytime by signing in again and entering your access code.

What happens if I delete my Apple ID?

Deleting your Apple ID wipes your slate clean. Once you do it, everything tied to your account will disappear. You’ll lose access to:

• Messages, notes, and contacts.
• Your iCloud storage plan, including all backups, files, and photos uploaded to the cloud.
• Apple services, such as FaceTime, iMessage, iCloud Mail, Apple Pay, and Apple Music.
• Your Apple Music and App Store purchases.
• Subscriptions made through your Apple account (in the App Store or through Apple Pay).
• All accounts and apps that you are signed in with your Apple account.
• AppleCare details and product history.
• Family sharing and all the accounts connected to it (Apple Music, iCloud, Apple Arcade).

Your account will be gone for good, and so will anything connected to it. If you think you might need one of these elements later, it’s smarter to deactivate rather than delete, unless you’re really sure about your decision. In that case, back up files or information you might need in the future. 

Keep in mind that disabling or deactivating your Apple ID also turns off location tracking and the “Find My” feature. If your iPhone is lost after that, you won’t be able to locate or recover it through your Apple account. Unless you’re sure you’ll stop using the device entirely, it’s better to keep your Apple ID active and turn on Stolen Device Protection to keep your phone secure.

What to do before deleting your Apple ID

Before you take the final step, prepare your account. To make sure the process goes smoothly, follow this quick checklist:

1. 1.Back up your data. Save your photos, files, and documents on another storage service or external drive.
2. 2.Cancel subscriptions. While they should be canceled automatically, it’s better to cancel ongoing plans so you don’t accidentally get billed later. Go to “Settings” > “Apple ID” > “Subscriptions” and cancel ongoing plans so you don’t get billed later.
3. 3.Sign out of all devices. If you don’t want to wait for Apple to process your deletion, log out manually from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and any other device connected to your account.
4. 4.Pay off balances. Clear any Apple Pay or App Store debts before submitting your request.
5. 5.Check for security issues. Before deleting your account or resetting your device, run a quick iPhone virus scan to ensure its safety. To keep your data safer, you can remove malware from your iPhone using trusted tools.
6. 6.Change login methods. Update your sign-in details for any apps or websites that use “Sign in with Apple,” since you’ll lose access after deletion.
7. 7.Change payment methods. To avoid billing or service issues, move your Apple Pay or App Store subscriptions to another card or payment service.

Taking these precautions means you won’t accidentally lose important data or personal files you’ll regret later, and you’ll make yourself safer from privacy risks while you’re at it.