How to Sign Out of Apple ID on iPhone?

Signing out of your Apple ID can help when switching accounts, troubleshooting iCloud sync, or preparing an iPhone for someone else. The key decision is whether to keep a copy of certain iCloud data on the device.

Step-by-step: Sign out of Apple ID

1. Open Settings > tap your name.
2. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
3. Enter your Apple ID password (required to disable Find My iPhone).
4. Choose what to keep on this iPhone (e.g., Contacts, Keychain).
5. Tap Sign Out again to confirm.

What “Keep a copy” really means

• Keep on iPhone: A local copy remains on the device (useful if you’ll sign in with another account).
• Remove from iPhone: Data stays in iCloud under that Apple ID, but is removed locally.

If you can’t sign out

• Find My is on: You must enter the Apple ID password.
• Screen Time restrictions: Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• Device management (MDM): Work/school profiles can limit sign-out.

Before selling or giving away your iPhone

• Back up important data.
• Sign out of Apple ID.
• Then go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.