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You are here: Home / Apple Services / Can I delete an iCloud account?

Can I delete an iCloud account?

By SK 3 comments Last updated December 30, 2022

Q: How can I completely delete an iCloud account?

A: Once you create an iCloud account, this account cannot be removed or merged with a different iCloud account. What you can do is to abandon this account.  You can erase the data in the account, but the account will remain. When you go to Settings > iCloud you will see  the red “Delete Account” button. This option will only delete the iCloud account from your iPhone/iPad/iPod.  This mean that iCloud will no longer back up your iOS data.

Related:

  • Can I delete an Apple ID?
  • How to delete iCloud backups
sudz - apple
SK

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.

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Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Show 3 Comments

  1. Mallorie says

    September 5, 2018 at 4:33 AM

    I bought an iPhone 7 second-hand, only to find out there after it had activation lock on it. Can & how can it be completely erased?

    Reply
    • SK says

      September 5, 2018 at 9:19 AM

      Hi Mallorie,

      You’ll need the previous owner to remove the iPhone 7 from their Apple ID and disable Find My iPhone and iCloud Activation. There’s no way around this. See this article for details on purchasing and setting up a used iPhone

      The previous owner can remove iCloud Activation Lock remotely with the following steps:

        Sign in to iCloud’s website with their Apple ID
        Open Find My iPhone
        Click All Devices
        Select your iPhone 7 to remove from their iCloud account
        Tap Erase iPhone 7
        Select Remove from Account

      Once the previous owner removes the iPhone 7 from their account, restart the phone to begin your own setup

      Sam

      Reply
  2. Fred says

    January 21, 2017 at 10:11 PM

    ICLOUD LOGIN ERROR FROM MAC AIR

    When attempting to login to iCloud from my MacBook Air I am asked to supply a password for my computer name . The message claims the password is encrypted and Apple cannot open it.

    My admin account password does not work.

    Also, before the above message, I am asked to supply the password to my user account. It references an account that I have since removed. However my current account password works fine there.

    Please note: I enabled two-factor authentication for my Apple ID JUST before this occurred and I do not have file vault on OR Root account enabled or hardware password on.

    El Capitan 10-11-6

    Reply

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