How To Safely Remove An Apple ID From Your iPhone

Your Apple ID is the key that gives you access to all the Apple mobile services. You need this to log in to your iTunes or iCloud account and you also need this if you are going to download something from the App Store. Everything works fine as long as the same person is using that particular iPhone or iPad. But problems may arise when you sell it off to someone else. In that case, you have to make sure that all your personal settings, contacts, media and messages are erased from the iPhone. Doing that is pretty easy. Reset your device, deleting all the data and settings from it and then remove your Apple ID. However, the last step can be a bit tricky especially when you don’t remember your Apple ID password or your Apple ID gets locked due to security reasons.

Although you can simply recover your Apple ID, reset the password and then use it to sign out of your Apple account. Things get complicated in case you have enabled two-factor authentication or by any chance if you are not able to recover your Apple ID. The thing is, “if you are unable to recover your Apple ID either, the only way is to restore the device via iTunes.” In this blog, we’ll tell you about both the ways but try the second one only as the last option.

Also read How To Fix Your Disabled iPhone Without iTunes Backup.

Removing Apple ID By Normal Procedure

The normal procedure doesn’t impose much complications. All you need to do is go to Settings app and sign out of your Apple ID. You just need to know your Apple ID credentials. It can be done in the following steps.

• Launch the Settings App.

• It will show your name and picture at the top of the screen. Tap on it.

• Scroll down to the bottom and tap on Sign out button. Tap on Delete from My iPhone button if prompted.

• Enter the password to your Apple ID and then tap on Turn off.  

That’s it! The Apple ID will be removed from your device and you can then sign in with a new Apple ID or create a new Apple ID for the device.

The Other Way

This is method is to be used when you have lost access to your Apple ID and you aren’t able to recover it either. This may happen due to entering the wrong password again and again which may result in your Apple ID being locked for security reasons. It can also happen in case you have enabled two-factor authentication and due to some reason, you are unable to receive the OTP on your mobile phone which is needed to recover the ID. Well, of course there’s a way to deal with that too either. But as it turns out, it can be a little risky and you must only try it as a last resort.

If you are not able to recover your Apple ID, the only way to remove it is via iTunes which requires your device to be connected to a computer. Follow these steps.

• Connect your iPhone/iPad to a Windows or Mac PC.

• Launch the iTunes app on the computer (if it doesn’t open automatically).

• Hold down the Home button and keep on holding until it shows the iTunes logo along with a connected cable.

• Click on your device icon in the iTunes app and then click on restore.

When the process is completed, your device will perform an auto-reboot. It may take several minutes, so don’t panic. When it reboots, it will be as fresh as a new one. All the previous settings will be gone and so will be the rogue Apple ID. Now you will have to configure the device like you did when you turned it on for the first time.

Note that the aforementioned process should be carried out very carefully and make sure that the power doesn’t go off when you are doing that as it may cause some permanent damage to the device and it may get stuck in the recovery mode.