How to sign out of your Apple Account on your devices

Check your information and recovery access first

Confirm that the account belongs to you and that you can access its recovery methods. If you have forgotten the password, use Apple's recovery help before signing out of a trusted device.

Check your backup and important synced content on another device or iCloud.com. Apple's sign-out instructions advise checking recent changes have synced and retaining copies of information that is not synced. Save essential documents somewhere accessible independently.

Sign out on an iPhone or iPad

Open Settings, tap your name, scroll down and tap Sign Out. Current software offers Erase this [Device] or Sign Out But Don't Erase. Read the summary, authenticate with your own device passcode or Apple Account password when requested, and complete the confirmation prompts.

Older software has different prompts. Apple's handover guide includes earlier versions. Follow its instructions for your installed software rather than assuming that every iPhone or iPad shows identical choices.

Choose the preparation that fits your next step

Sign Out But Don't Erase leaves personal information on an iPhone or iPad. Apple explains what remains. It is not sufficient preparation for a new owner. Verify retained information before following the full erase process; our iPhone reset guide covers handover.

Do not manually delete synced contacts or photos to clear a device: that can delete cloud copies too. Signing out does not require deleting your entire Apple Account. Keep private credentials out of any selling enquiry.

Sign out on a Mac

On current macOS, choose Apple menu, System Settings, your name, then Sign Out. Review the options to keep local copies of iCloud information and complete the prompts; Apple Pay users may see Sign Out and Remove Cards. Apple's sign-out guide above describes the process.

For a new owner, follow Apple's full Mac preparation guide. It distinguishes supported Erase All Content and Settings models from older Mac procedures. Signing out alone does not erase the Mac's local files.

Review your own devices on Apple's website

Sign in privately at account.apple.com, select Devices and authenticate if prompted. Select the correct device to inspect its details. For a device you are authorised to remove, choose Remove from Account, read the message and confirm. Apple's device-list guide explains these controls.

Remote account removal does not erase local data. Apple warns that a device still signed in may reappear when it reconnects; sign out on the device for permanent removal. For a lost or stolen device, follow Apple's linked Find My guidance rather than removing its protection as a normal handover.

If sign-out is unavailable

A restriction, forgotten credential or company-management rule needs its own authorised resolution. Use the help linked from Apple's sign-out page; ask the responsible administrator about a managed device. If the account belongs to a previous owner, involve that owner. A paid bypass service is not an appropriate substitute for releasing somebody else's account.