This wikiHow teaches you how to delete an Apple ID. Once your account and authorization have been removed from various devices and computers, you can submit an account deletion request to Apple customer service. Accounts cannot be recovered or reactivated once deleted.
Step
Part 1 of 7: Preparing for Deletion
Step 1. Make sure you do need to delete the ID
When you delete your ID, you will lose access to all connected services and purchases. You cannot access the App Store, Apple Pay, iCloud, iCloud Mail, iMessage, Facetime, subscriptions and all services received through that Apple ID.
- If you switched to another phone from iPhone and can't receive text messages, read the "Turn off iMessage" section first.
- If you don't want to permanently delete your account, you can disable it temporarily.
Step 2. Back up the files or emails that you want to save
You'll lose access to the iCloud Mail service and iCloud Drive storage space, so make sure you back up any important messages or files before deleting your account.
- You can back up messages from iCloud Mail by moving them from your iCloud inbox to your local inbox on your computer.
- Documents and pictures can be downloaded from iCloud Drive to your computer.
Part 2 of 7: Unauthorizing Apple ID on iTunes on Windows Computer
Step 1. Open iTunes
Double-click the iTunes icon, which looks like a multicolored musical note on a white background.
If you don't automatically sign in to your iTunes account, click the “ Account ” in the menu bar at the top of the screen, then click “ Sign In " Sign in using the email address and password associated with your Apple ID.
Step 2. Click Accounts
It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Step 3. Place the cursor over the Authorizations segment
The submenu will be displayed on the right side after it.
Step 4. Select Deauthorize This Computer
This option is in the submenu to the right of the “Account” menu.
Step 5. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted
You need to authenticate the account in order to deauthorize it. Type your password into the bar below the email address. After that, double-check the address to make sure you're signed in to the right account.
Step 6. Click Deauthorize
It's in the lower-right corner of the login window.
Step 7. Click Ok
You may see a message letting you know that you have successfully removed the authorization. Click Ok ” to confirm.
Step 8. Click Accounts
It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Step 9. Click Sign Out
You will be signed out of your Apple ID in iTunes.
Part 3 of 7: Removing Apple ID Authorization on Mac Computers
Step 1. Open iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, or Apple Books
Click the icon to open Apple Music or iTunes on a MacOS computer. You can also open the Apple TV or Apple Books app.
On MacOS 10.15 (MacOS Catalina) or later, iTunes has been replaced by Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Books. Open one of these applications. You can deauthorize an account through any of these apps with the same steps
Step 2. Click Accounts
It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Place the cursor over the Authorizations segment
The submenu will appear on the right side of the screen after that.
Step 4. Click Deauthorize This Computer…
It's in the pop-out menu on the right side of the screen.
Step 5. Enter your Apple ID password
When prompted, type in your Apple ID password.
Step 6. Click Deauthorize
It's in the lower-right corner of the window. After that, the Apple ID authorization for iTunes, Music, Apple TV, and Apple Books on your Mac computer will be removed.
Part 4 of 7: Sign Out of Apple ID on Mobile Device
Step 1. Open the device settings menu (“Settings”)
Touch the settings menu icon or “Settings” which looks like a gray box with gears.
Step 2. Touch your name
The name is at the top of the “Settings” page.
Step 3. Swipe the screen and tap Sign Out
This red button is shown at the bottom of the page.
If the “Find My iPhone” feature is still active, you will be asked to enter a password and touch the “ Turn Off ” before moving on to the next step.
Step 4. Touch Sign Out
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
If you want to keep a copy of your Calendars, Contacts, Keychain, News, or Safari history content in iCloud, tap the toggle next to the desired content
Step 5. Touch Sign Out when prompted
The Apple ID and connected data will be deleted from the device.
Part 5 of 7: Sign Out of Apple ID on Mac Computer
Step 1. Access the Apple menu
Select the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 2. Select System Preferences…
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu. The “System Preferences” window will appear after that.
Step 3. Select
iCloud or Apple ID.
If you're using an older version of MacOS, click the iCloud icon that looks like a blue cloud. If you're using MacOS Catalina or later, click the gray Apple ID icon with the white Apple logo.
Step 4. Swipe the screen and uncheck the “Find My Mac” option
This box is displayed at the bottom of the window.
Step 5. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted
Type the password into the field that appears.
Step 6. Click Continue
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 7. Click Overview (for MacOS Catalina only)
If you are using an Apple ID on MacOS Catalina, click the “ Overview ” in the left sidebar.
Step 8. Click Sign Out
This button appears in the lower-left corner of the window.
Your computer may ask you if you want to keep a copy of the data stored in your iCloud account. If yes, check the box for each appropriate category and click “ Keep a Copy ”.
Step 9. Click Continue
After that, you'll be signed out of your Apple ID on your Mac.
Part 6 of 7: Requesting Account Deletion
Step 1. Go to https://privacy.apple.com/ through your computer's web browser
You can use any browser on your PC or Mac computer.
Step 2. Sign in to your Apple ID account
Type in your Apple ID email address and password, then click “ → The security question page will be displayed after that.
- If you see a two-factor authentication page, use your iPhone or phone to complete the authentication process.
- If you do not enable the two-factor authentication feature, answer the security question or click “ Get Support PIN " Write down the support PIN and contact Apple customer service.
Step 3. Scroll down and click Request to delete your account
It's at the bottom of the page, under the " Delete your account " section next to the trash icon. After that, a new page will open showing the steps you need to take before deleting your account.
Alternatively, if you don't want to permanently delete your account, click “ Request to deactivate your account ” to request a temporary suspension on the account. It's next to " Temporarily deactivate your account ", next to the human icon.
Step 4. Select the reason for account deletion
Use the drop-down menu labeled "Select reason" to select a reason for deletion. This menu is at the bottom of the screen.
If there is no reason that fits your situation on the menu, select " Other " and type in the reason for deleting the account
Step 5. Click Continue
It's a blue button at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 6. Read the information page and click Continue
There is important information on other pages that you should know before deleting your account. Read the information displayed and click the blue button labeled “ Continue ” at the bottom of the page.
Step 7. Click the box
and select Continue.
This option indicates that you agree to the terms and conditions of account deletion. You can read the terms and conditions in the next text field. Click the blue button labeled “ Continue when you're ready.
Step 8. Choose a contact method and click Continue
With this method, Apple can contact you if they have information about your account. Click the radio button next to the saved backup email address, the option " Use another email address ", or " Use phone number ".
Step 9. Enter a phone number or email address and click Continue
Use the fields that appear to enter a phone number or email address, then click “ Continue ' when it's ready.
Step 10. Enter the verification code and click Continue
This code will be sent to the email address or phone number you entered. Check your email or text account and enter the verification code to confirm ownership of your address/number.
Step 11. Write down or print the passcode that is displayed and click Continue
You can use this passcode if you need to contact Apple support to discuss issues with your account. Write down the code or click “ Print Code ” to print it. Click Continue ' when it's ready.
Step 12. Enter the passcode and click Continue
Type in the passcode you got from the previous page and click “ Continue ”.
Step 13. Click Delete Account
It's a red button in the lower-right corner of the pop-up window. Click Delete Account ” to submit an account deletion request.
Part 7 of 7: Disabling iMessage
Step 1. Visit https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage/ via your computer's web browser
On this page, you can unregister the iMessage service.
Step 2. Scroll to the "No longer have your iPhone?
".
This segment is shown at the bottom of the page.
Step 3. Type in the phone number you are currently using
Enter the number in the "Enter your phone number" field.
Step 4. Click Send Code
It's to the right of the "Enter your phone number" column. Apple will send a confirmation message to your contact number.
Step 5. Get the verification code
Open the phone's messaging app, select a message from Apple, and review the six-digit code displayed on the message.
Step 6. Type in the verification code
Enter the six-digit code into the "Enter your verification code" field.
Step 7. Click Submit
The number you enter will be verified and removed by Apple from the iMessage service.
