How to Delete an Apple ID From Computer and Phone - Apple

How to Delete an Apple ID: 11 Steps (with Pictures)

If you use Apple products, chances are you've set up an account with Apple. When you do so, you create an Apple ID—the user name that you use for all your Apple transactions, from downloading free apps to purchasing pro-level Apple software. Should you stop using Apple products or create additional Apple IDs, you may wish to delete the obsolete ID. While there's no way to actually delete an Apple ID, there are still things you can do to render an old ID useless. This article will show you how to proceed.

STEPS 

PART 1 OF 2: REMOVING THE APPLE ID FROM YOUR COMPUTER 

1

DELETE APPLE IDS FROM ITUNES. Remember to do this on each computer your ID is associated with; While you can de-authorize computers individually, it's much easier to do them all at once. First, launch iTunes, and from the "Store" menu, select "View My Apple ID" (followed by your email address. 

After entering your password, this will open up your Account Information where you can manage your entire iTunes account.

2

DEAUTHORIZE ALL COMPUTERS. In the Account Information window, click "Deauthorize All" on the lower right hand side of the Account Information window. 

3

CONFIRM THE DEAUTHORIZATION. In the confirmation dialog, click "Deauthorize all computers." 

4

SHUT DOWN ICLOUD SERVICES. If you've associate other devices with your Apple ID, they can download content from that ID. Click on Manage Devices to change those settings. 

5

REMOVE DEVICES. In the Manage Devices window, click "Remove" for every device listed. 

6

DISABLE AUTO RENEW. If you've set up an iTunes Match subscription with your Apple ID, be sure to turn that off. Click the "Turn Off Auto-Renew" button. 

The iTunes Match text will confirm that your subscription will not renew.[2] 

PART 2 OF 2: REMOVE APPLE ID FROM YOUR IOS DEVICES 

1

TAP THE SETTINGS ICON. It's usually found on your Home Screen. Tap it to open the Settings control panel. 

2

SCROLL DOWN AND TAP "ITUNES & APP STORES." This will open up the iTunes & App Stores control panel, where you can configure you iOS device for a new or different Apple ID. 

3

TAP THE APPLE ID BUTTON AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN. 

4

TAP SIGN OUT. The popup panel will let you select from a number of options: 

View Apple ID: This gives you an overview of your Apple ID account.

Sign Out: Logs you out of the Apple ID account on your iOS device.

iForgot: Takes you to Apple's "iForgot" web page where you can recover a forgotten password or Apple ID.

Tap Sign Out to close your Apple ID on the current device.

5

SIGN BACK IN. If you've created an alternate Apple ID, enter it now, or create a new one. 

TIPS 

Make sure you log out from your Apple ID on all iOS devices and deauthorize all computers.

Afterwards, it's a good idea to reset your password. 

WARNINGS 

You cannot merge multiple Apple IDs.[3] If you've created a new one, you will not be able to access information from the old ID without logging into the old ID.