How to delete Apple ID account [For all Apple devices]

If you no longer wish to use your Apple ID account and want to delete it, this guide will show you how to permanently delete Apple account and everything you need to know.

Tip: If you forgot your Apple ID password or are facing the Activation Lock screen and want to delete Apple ID account, you can use iPhone Unlocker to sign out of your locked Apple account from the iPhone/iPad to regain access before permanently deleting the Apple ID.

The deleted Apple ID account will be permanently closed and cannot be restored.

Your Apple ID, or Apple account, is more than just a login—it's a digital passport that connects you to the entire Apple ecosystem. Whether you intend to switch to a different ecosystem, consolidate multiple accounts, or for other reasons, you need to understand that deleting an Apple ID isn't as simple—or as temporary—as signing out. It's a permanent move that erases your personal data from Apple's servers and disables access to nearly every Apple service you've used.

Therefore, knowing the exact consequences, how to prepare, and how to delete an Apple account is crucial. In this guide, we'll cover everything related to deleting Apple ID account, while also clarifying alternative options like temporary deactivation or removing account, ensuring you choose the path that best aligns with your goals.

Table of Contents

• Understanding the options – Delete vs. Deactivate vs. Remove
• Prerequisites for deleting Apple account
• How to delete Apple ID account
• Alternatives to deletion

Understanding the options – Delete vs. Deactivate vs. Remove

Before deciding to delete an Apple ID account, you need to distinguish between deleting, deactivating, and removing an Apple account, as many users often confuse these actions, which have distinctly different impacts.

Permanently Delete Apple ID

This is a permanent and irreversible action. When you delete the Apple ID, Apple will erase the account from its servers and delete all personal data associated with it, including iCloud service content, backups, purchase history, etc., thereby cutting off access to all Apple services. And this Apple account will be gone forever, you can't get it back or use it again.

Temporarily Deactivate Apple ID

Deactivation temporarily blocks access to Apple services and prevents anyone, including yourself, from using the account, while keeping your data preserved for potential restoration upon reactivation.

Remove Apple Account from a Device

This is a local action, not an account-level one. When you sign out of your Apple ID on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you're simply unlinking that device from your account. Your Apple account still exists—and can still be used on other devices or re-added at any time, and the services and data associated with the account remain unaffected.

Prerequisites for deleting Apple account

To avoid irreversible regrets after deleting the Apple ID account, it's best to make thorough preparations in advance.

Backup Your Data

Download iCloud data associated with the Apple account to make local copies or back up to other cloud services other than iCloud, including iCloud photos, iCloud Drive files, messages, iMessage, contacts, notes, memos, and more.

Sign Out of All Devices 

Ensure you have signed out of all Apple devices using that Apple account. You can use Find My to check devices linked to the Apple ID. If you perform the Apple ID account deletion without signing out, you will no longer be able to log out of the iCloud account and turn off the Activation Lock on the device, which will make your device unusable, especially after the reset.

Cancel Active Subscriptions

Active subscriptions must be terminated to avoid billing issues. Request refunds for any remaining balances and settle outstanding payments before deleting the account.

Read more: How to fix Apple ID not active 

How to delete Apple ID account

Once everything is ready, you can go to the official Data and Privacy website provided by Apple to submit a request to permanently delete your Apple ID account.

1. In any browser, visit https://privacy.apple.com and sign in with your Apple account credentials.

2. Complete two-factor authentication by entering the code sent to your trusted device or phone number.

3. On the Manage your data screen, locate the Delete your account section and click the Request to delete your account link.

4. Carefully read the content on the Delete your account page, then select a reason for requesting the deletion of your Apple ID account at the bottom and click Continue.

5. Browse the relevant precautions and agree to the terms and conditions.

6. Choose how to receive updates about your request. You can opt to get updates via a different email address or phone number.

7. You will receive an access code, which you must keep securely, as it's the only way to cancel the deletion request during the processing period.

8. Enter your access code, click Continue, then click Delete account > Sign out.

Wait for Apple to confirm and process your deletion request, which may take up to 7 days. During this period, do not log back into the account on any device, and you can cancel the Apple ID deletion request. Apple will typically notify you via email once the process is complete.

Note:

• When your Apple ID account is successfully deleted, you will permanently lose access to associated Apple services, including iCloud services and content purchased from the App Store and iTunes Store.
• Typically, you cannot use the primary email address associated with a deleted Apple account to create a new Apple ID again.

Alternatives to deletion

Temporarily deactivate your Apple ID

Instead of permanently deleting your Apple ID account, if you just want to temporarily step away from the Apple ecosystem and plan to use the account again in the future, you can choose to deactivate your Apple ID for a period of time. Although you won't be able to use any associated services during the deactivation period, your data will remain intact on Apple's servers or in iCloud.

1. Visit https://privacy.apple.com and log in with your Apple ID and password.

2. If prompted, verify your identity through 2FA.

3. Click Request to deactivate your account under the Temporarily deactivate your account section.

4. Select a reason for deactivating the account and follow the prompts to finish the remaining steps.

Tip:  If you want to reactivate the Apple ID later, contact Apple Support and provide your deactivation code.

Remove an Apple account without password

Whether you're deactivating or deleting your Apple ID, forgetting the password for your Apple account will prevent you from completing the process. If you're only trying to delete a locked Apple ID from a specific iPhone or iPad because you're stuck at the iCloud Activation Lock, you can use iPhone Unlocker to remove the Apple ID without the password. This allows you to regain access to your iPhone or iPad without requiring the Apple ID account.

iPhone Unlocker is specifically designed to unlock various iPhone/iPad locks, equipped with features like Wipe Passcode, Remove Apple ID, Bypass iCloud Activation Lock, Remove MDM, Remove Backup Encryption Settings, and Bypass Screen Time.

With this software, you can disassociate a device from the original Apple account and regain control of the device, without needing to perform a complete and permanent account deletion.

Note:

• This method requires that your iPhone or iPad has a lock screen password set and Two-factory Authentication enabled. And all data on the device will be erased.

1. Launch iPhone Unlocker on your computer and plug your iPhone or iPad into the computer using a compatible USB cable.

2. Click Remove Apple ID > Start to proceed.

3. Make sure your device has Two-Factor Authentication turned on. If you still have access to your device, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign-in & Security and enable Two-Factor Authentication. Then, enter 0000 and click the Confirm button.

4. Check your device's information. Once confirmed accurate, click Start to download the firmware package needed to remove the Apple ID.

5. When the download is done, ensure you have set a login screen password on your device, then type 0000, and click Unlock to begin removing the Apple ID and iCloud account from the device.

Once the process is over, your device will restart with the Hello screen. Follow the tutorials to set up your iPhone / iPad. When you reach the "iPhone Locked to Owner screen, tap the Use Device Passcode? link at the bottom, then use your screen passcode to bypass the Activation Lock. You can then create a new Apple ID if needed.

FAQs

1. Will resetting my iPhone delete the Apple ID associated with it?

Resetting your device does not delete your Apple ID, it just restores your iPhone to its default settings, erasing all existing data and settings. And with 2FA enabled, you still need to provide the original Apple account credentials tied to the device to access the device.

Deleting an Apple account is not as simple as you might think. After completing all preparations, especially backing up data and manually signing out, you should go to https://privacy.apple.com to submit a request to delete your Apple ID account. The entire deletion process may take Apple up to a week to complete.

2. How do I sign out of Apple account my iPhone?

To sign out of Apple ID on an iPhone:

• Open Settings app on your iPhone.
• Tap [your name] at the top of the screen and scroll down to tap Sign Out.
• Enter your Apple account password to disable Find My iPhone.
• Choose whether to keep a copy of data on your device.
• Tap Sign out and confirm it to remove your Apple account from your iPhone.

If you have a device that is linked to the previous owner's Apple account or you don't remember the account password, you can check how to sign out of Apple ID without password.

3. How do I remove a device from my Apple account?

If your Apple account is linked to multiple Apple devices, and you hope to unlink a device from your Apple ID remotely, especially if you want to sell or give it away, you can:

• Log in to icloud.com/find with your Apple account. You may need to enter the two-factor authentication code.
• View all devices associated with your account under the All Devices list.
• Select the device you want to disconnect.
• Click Remove This Device to sign out of your account from the device.

4. What happens after I delete my Apple ID account?

Once your Apple ID is permanently deleted, several irrevocable changes occur:

• All your personal data stored on Apple servers is erased — this includes iCloud photos, messages, notes, backups, and documents.
• You cannot use Apple services like the App Store, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, or Apple Music.
• Any purchases tied to your Apple ID—apps, movies, books, subscriptions—become inaccessible, even if downloaded.
• Your Apple ID email and user ID become permanently disabled, and you can't use that email to create a new Apple account in the future.
• All active subscriptions linked to your account will be canceled, and any remaining store credit will be forfeited.