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This article was co-authored by Chiara Corsaro and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Chiara Corsaro is the General Manager and Apple Certified Mac & iOS Technician for macVolks, Inc., an Apple Authorized Service Provider located in the San Francisco Bay Area. macVolks, Inc. was founded in 1990, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating, and is part of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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If you have an old Apple ID or secondary account you no longer need, you can submit a request to delete it. Keep in mind that this is permanent, so back up all the content and information associated with your account beforehand. You can also temporarily deactivate your account. Here's how to delete an Apple ID or iCloud account on your computer, iPhone, or Android.
Things You Should Know
- To delete an Apple ID, log into https://privacy.apple.com/ and select "Request to delete your account".
- You can also select "Request to deactivate your account" to disable your Apple ID temporarily.
- Before you delete, backup all content, sign out of other devices, and download account-related information you may need later.
Steps
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Go to https://privacy.apple.com/ in a web browser. You can use a desktop or mobile account. Currently, there's no way to delete your account through an Apple device.
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Sign in with the Apple ID. Make sure this is the Apple ID you want to delete.
- You'll be redirected to the Manage your data page. This is also where you can obtain a copy of your data or transfer it to another service.
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Select Request to delete your account. You may need to scroll down to see this option. This is the small text underneath the Delete your account header.
- If you want to disable your account temporarily, select Temporarily deactivate your account instead.
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Select a reason and select Continue. You'll need to scroll down and read through Apple's warnings about deleting.
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Scroll down and select Continue. This is the blue button.
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Check the box and select Continue. You'll need to agree to the Deletion Terms & Conditions.
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Enter a method of communication. This is how Apple will update you on the account's deletion process. This could be an email, phone number, or another Apple ID.
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Note down the access code and select Continue. You'll need this code again.
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Enter the access code and select Continue. You'll need to review the effects one last time.
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Select Delete account. A final confirmation will appear.
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Select Sign out. The request to delete your Apple ID will be sent.
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Go to https://privacy.apple.com/ in a web browser. You can use a desktop or mobile account. Currently, there's no way to delete your account through an Apple device.
- When you deactivate your account, it's recommended to prepare your account for deletion as you would if you were deleting it.[2] You won't be able to access these services and content when your account is deactivated.
-
Sign in with the Apple ID. Make sure this is the Apple ID you want to delete.
- You'll be redirected to the Manage your data page. This is also where you can obtain a copy of your data or transfer it to another service.
-
Select Request to deactivate your account. You may need to scroll down to see this option. This is the small text underneath the 'Temporarily deactivate your account header.
-
Select a reason and select Continue. You'll need to scroll down and read through Apple's warnings about deleting.
-
Scroll down and select Continue. This is the blue button.
-
Check the box and select Continue. You'll need to agree to the Deletion Terms & Conditions.
-
Enter a method of communication. This is how Apple will update you on the account's deletion process. This could be an email, phone number, or another Apple ID.
-
Note down the access code and select Continue. You'll need this code again.
-
Enter the access code and select Continue. You'll need to review the effects one last time.
-
Select Delete account. A final confirmation will appear.
-
Select Sign out. The request to deactivate your Apple ID will be sent.
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat can I do if I've forgotten my Apple ID and can't recover my password?
Community AnswerIf you don't know your Apple ID, and can't recover your Apple ID or password using the iForgot website, you're out of luck. Apple can't verify your identity if you don't have a recovery email address associated with your account. You'll need to start from scratch with a new Apple ID. -
QuestionWhy won't Apple delete my Apple ID?
Community AnswerPermanently deleting your ID is not actually an available option, so it's up to the person you're talking to as to whether or not your account will be deleted. Try to stay polite and ask for your call to be escalated if you absolutely have to have your Apple ID deleted.
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QuestionI phoned and cancelled my Apple account but now need to erase my details off my Apple iPod touch. How can I do this if it wants my password, which I don't have anymore?
Iactivate.icloud.removeCommunity AnswerLuckily, there is the iActivate Apple ID removal tool that can fix your problem.
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Tips
About This Article
1. Deauthorize iTunes or Music on your Mac and/or Windows computer.
2. Sign out of your Apple ID on your Mac computers and iPhone or iPad devices.
3. Go to https://privacy.apple.com/ in a web browser on your Mac or PC.
4. Sign in to your Apple ID.
5. Scroll down and click Request to delete your account.
6. Select a reason for deletion and click Continue.
7. Read the information and click Continue
8. Click the checkbox to agree to the Deletion Terms and Conditions and click "Continue'.
9. Select a contact method and click Continue.
10. Enter an email address or phone number and click Continue.
11. Retrieve your verification code, enter it and click Continue.
12. Write down or print the access code and click Continue.
13. Enter the access code and click Continue.
14. Click Delete account.
15. Disable iMessage at https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage/
Reader Success Stories
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"The whole article gives me hope that I can permanently delete my account. I like the step-by-step guide and screen shots."..." more
