» iPhone Tips»How to Unlink Two iPhones with the Same Apple ID
Sharing an Apple ID across multiple iPhones can lead to overlapping data, synced messages, and privacy concerns. If you’re wondering how to unlink two iPhones sharing the same Apple ID, this guide provides several actionable solutions. Whether you’re separating devices after a family member’s upgrade or resolving accidental synchronization issues, these step-by-step methods will help.
Before jumping into the methods, it’s important to understand why you might need to unlink two iPhones associated with the same Apple ID:
1. Privacy Protection: Prevent messages, photos, and app data from syncing between devices.
2. Avoid Confusion: Stop receiving calls or notifications meant for the other device.
3. Storage Management: Free up iCloud storage by removing duplicate backups.
4. Device Ownership: Essential if selling, gifting, or repurposing one of the iPhones.
With these reasons in mind, let’s explore the best ways to separate two iPhones with the same Apple ID.
To unlink two iPhones that are sharing the same Apple ID, the most straightforward method is to sign out of the Apple ID on one of the devices.
1. Open Settings on the iPhone you want to unlink.
2. Tap on the name at the top of the screen.
3. Scroll down and tap on Sign Out.
4. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
5. Choose which data to keep a copy of (e.g., contacts).
6. Confirm by tapping Sign Out again.
By signing out of iCloud, the device will no longer be associated with the Apple ID, effectively unlinking it from the other iPhone. You can then sign in to a different Apple ID or create a new Apple ID on the iPhone.
If you no longer have physical access to one of the iPhones, you can remove the device from your Apple ID, which will also unlink the two iPhones.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone and tap your Apple ID name at the top.
2. Scroll down and select the iPhone you want to remove from your Apple ID.
3. Tap Remove from Account, then tap Remove to confirm the removal.
1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Find the device you want to unlink and select it.
4. Tap Remove This Device from the options available.
5. Confirm the action by following the on-screen prompts.
For users who prefer using a computer, iTunes provides a convenient way to unlink two iPhones that are using the same Apple ID.
1. Open iTunes on your PC and select Account > View My Account from the menu bar.
2. Under the “Downloads and Purchases” section, click on Manage Devices.
3. Locate the iPhone you want to unlink from your Apple ID and click on the Remove button.
Another way to unlink two iPhones that shares the same Apple ID is by accessing iCloud.com on a browser.
1. Open a browser on your computer and visit https://www.icloud.com/.
2. Log in with your Apple ID credentials.
3. Once logged in, click on the Find iPhone icon.
4. In the All Devices section, select the device you want to unlink.
5. Click Remove to unlink the iPhone from your Apple ID.
1. Visit https://account.apple.com/sign-in on a web browser and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Select the Devices option and click on the device you want to remove.
3. Click Remove from Account at the bottom of the page to unlink the iPhone.
This method will remove the iPhone from your Apple ID account, ensuring that it is no longer linked to your Apple services.
After unlinking two iPhones, you may encounter a few issues. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Apple ID Verification: If you remotely remove an iPhone from your Apple ID account, the device may keep asking for the old Apple ID password. You may need to enter the password on the iPhone to sign out of the Apple ID or reset the iPhone to its factory settings to get out of this situation.
App Purchases: If you have apps tied to the Apple ID that is no longer linked, you may need to re-download them under the new account.
Unlinking two iPhones sharing the same Apple ID is essential for maintaining privacy, avoiding data overlap, and ensuring proper device management. Signing out of your Apple ID on one of your iPhones is the most straightforward way to unlink your two iPhones. If you don’t have access to the iPhone you wish to unlink, you can remove it remotely from your Apple ID. Whether you prefer using Settings, Find My, iTunes, iCloud.com, or appleid.apple.com, the methods outlined here will help you easily disconnect your devices.
