Apple creates a very tightly woven user experience between its devices and services. From iPhones and iPads to Macs and iCloud storage, your Apple ID acts as the key that unlocks it all. If you decide you no longer want to be a part of the Apple ecosystem, you can delete your Apple ID or simply deactivate it, either permanently or temporarily.
What Happens When You Delete Your Apple ID
Since so much can be tied to our Apple ID, there are many considerations to bear in mind before hitting the button to delete it.
App Store Purchases: if you’ve made purchases through the App Store, you won’t lose access to previously downloaded apps. However, you won’t be able to download them again or receive updates unless you reactivate it after you deactivated it, or create a new Apple ID after you deleted the old one.
Apple One Subscriptions: if you have an Apple One subscription that includes iCloud storage, Apple Music, and other services, deletion will cancel it, though you’ll still have access to the services until the end of your current billing cycle. Deactivation might pause the subscription, depending on the specific plan.
Find My Device: deactivating or deleting your Apple ID will disable the Find My feature on your Apple devices, so you won’t be able to locate them remotely if they’re lost or stolen.
Warranty Service: a deactivated or deleted Apple ID won’t affect existing device warranties. However, you may need to provide proof of purchase when seeking warranty repairs.
Future Use of Apple Services: if you decide to return to the Apple ecosystem, you’ll need to create a new Apple ID. You won’t be able to recover your old account or any data associated with your old Apple ID after you delete it.
What to Do Before You Delete Your Apple ID
Before hitting that Delete Account button, take these crucial steps:
Back Up Your Data
This cannot be stressed enough. Deletion is permanent, and you’ll lose access to all your data stored with your Apple ID. Back up your photos, videos, and voice memos to an external hard drive, another cloud storage service, or your new device (if switching platforms).
Move contacts, emails, and calendar entries to another platform, such as Google.
Apple offers its iCloud backup service, but remember, you’re deleting your Apple ID, so this won’t be an option after you delete it.
Sign Out of All Devices
Ensure you’re signed out of your Apple ID on all your devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and Apple TV. This prevents any residual data from lingering on your devices after deletion.
Cancel Subscriptions and Services
Review any active subscriptions or services linked to your Apple ID, such as Apple Music, iCloud storage upgrades, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and third-party app subscriptions managed through your Apple ID. Cancel any unwanted subscriptions to avoid future charges.
Deactivate Find My Device
Find My helps locate lost or stolen Apple devices. When you delete your Apple ID, this feature becomes disabled. If you plan on selling or giving away your Apple devices, ensure Find My is deactivated before deletion.
If you don’t do this, the new owner will not be able to sign in with their own credentials, and the device will be practically useless to them. This is an anti-theft measure.
How to Delete Your Apple ID
Deleting your Apple ID is a more involved and longer process compared to deactivation.
Visit the Apple Data & Privacy website. Sign in with your Apple ID credentials. You may need to use two-factor authentication for verification.
Navigate to Data and Privacy -> Delete your account.
Carefully review the information regarding account deletion consequences, then choose a reason for deletion.
Apple will provide you with an access code. Make sure to note this down for future reference.
Select your preferred method for receiving deletion status updates (email or phone), then click Delete Account to initiate the deletion process.
The deletion process may take several weeks to complete. During this time, you won’t be able to access your Apple ID or any associated services. Apple will keep you updated on the progress via your chosen communication method.
Deleting your Apple ID is a significant step, as it permanently severs your connection to the Apple ecosystem and wipes clean all the data associated with your account.
What Happens When You Deactivate Your Apple ID?
Deactivating your Apple ID is a reversible step that temporarily suspends certain services associated with your account. It’s a good option if you’re considering a break from the Apple ecosystem but want to keep the door open for a potential return. The following is what to expect when you deactivate your Apple ID:
Limited Functionality: you’ll lose access to core Apple services, like iCloud storage, Messages, FaceTime, and Apple Music. You won’t be able to use your Apple ID to sign in to these apps or services.
Data Remains Intact: Deactivation doesn’t erase your data. All your photos, contacts, emails, and other information stored in iCloud remain safe on Apple’s servers. Yet, you should really perform a backup before deactivating, just in case.
Find My Device Stays Active: unlike deletion, deactivation won’t disable the Find My feature on your Apple devices. You can still locate your iPhone, iPad, or Mac if it’s lost or stolen.
App Store Purchases Remain Accessible: while you won’t be able to download new apps or updates, you’ll still have access to previously downloaded apps associated with your Apple ID.
Subscription Status: depending on the specific subscription plan, deactivation may pause some subscriptions linked to your Apple ID. You may need to manually restart them upon reactivation.
How to Deactivate Your Apple ID
You cannot deactivate your Apple ID directly through your Apple devices. Instead, you’ll need to contact Apple Support.
Visit the Apple Data & Privacy website, and log in. Select Deactivating your account, and follow the on-screen prompts and instructions to complete the deactivation process.
Deactivation offers a safety net if you’re unsure about permanently severing ties with Apple. It allows you to explore other platforms while keeping the option to return to your Apple ecosystem in the future. But if you’re sure you want to delete your Apple ID, choosing deletion would be the wiser choice.
All screenshots images by Mark O’Neill.
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