- Sign out of iCloud on iPhone or iPad
- Erase, or sign out but don't erase?
- Sign out of iCloud on a Mac
- What changes when you sign out
- Do these three things first
- Sign out of iCloud on Windows
- Can't sign out?
- Signing out isn't the same as deleting your account
- Signing out to fix a problem
- Signing in with a different account
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To sign out of iCloud on an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, scroll down and tap Sign Out, then choose whether to erase the device or keep its data and enter your password. On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name and click Sign Out.
Signing out of iCloud is something you'll do when you're selling or handing on a device, switching Apple Accounts, or fixing a stubborn sync problem. It's quick, but the choices on the way matter: keep a copy of your data or not, erase the device or not. Pick wrong and you can end up with someone else's photos on your phone, or your contacts left on a device you've sold.
Sign out of iCloud on iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
- Scroll to the very bottom and tap Sign Out.
- Choose Erase this iPhone or Sign Out But Don't Erase.
- Follow the prompts about which data stays on the device.
- Enter your device passcode or Apple Account password to confirm.
Erase, or sign out but don't erase?
| Choose | When |
|---|---|
| Erase this device | You're selling it, giving it away or trading it in |
| Sign Out But Don't Erase | You're keeping it and switching to another Apple Account, or fixing a problem |
Apple's own guidance for selling or trading in a device goes further than signing out, so if the phone is leaving your hands, follow that and erase it. Sign Out But Don't Erase is for when you'll keep using the phone.
Sign out of iCloud on a Mac
- Choose the Apple menu, then System Settings.
- Click your name at the top of the sidebar.
- Click Sign Out.
- To keep a copy of your iCloud data on the Mac, such as contacts and calendars, tick those boxes and click Keep a Copy.
- If you've added cards to Wallet on the Mac, you'll be asked to remove them as part of signing out.
What changes when you sign out
Apple lists the services that stop on that device: Find My, iCloud Backup, iCloud Keychain (your saved passwords) and other iCloud features. Your iCloud data stays safe in iCloud and on your other devices. What leaves is the copy on this device, unless you chose to keep it.
Do these three things first
- Make a fresh backup. Apple recommends an up-to-date iCloud backup before you sign out.
- Know your Apple Account password. You'll need it to sign out, because Find My is switched off as part of the process.
- Save anything stored only on the device, such as downloaded files or photos not yet uploaded.
Sign out of iCloud on Windows
If you use iCloud for Windows, open the app and click Sign Out. Your iCloud Photos and Drive stop syncing to that PC. Files already downloaded may stay in the folders, so delete them if the computer isn't yours.
Can't sign out?
- Sign Out is greyed out: a Screen Time restriction may block account changes. Check Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Forgotten password: reset it at Apple's account site or from another trusted device first.
- Work or school device: a managed Apple Account may be controlled by your organisation.
- No internet: signing out needs a connection to turn off Find My.
Signing out isn't the same as deleting your account
Signing out only disconnects one device. Your Apple Account, purchases, photos and email all carry on. If you want to remove a device from your account remotely, for example a lost one, you can do that from your device list in Settings, under your name, without signing in on the device itself.
Signing out to fix a problem
Sometimes signing out and back in clears up iCloud trouble, such as messages not syncing, contacts missing on one device or a stuck Apple Account verification prompt. If that's why you're here, choose Sign Out But Don't Erase, keep copies of your contacts and calendars when asked, restart the device, then sign back in with the same account. It takes a few minutes and your data downloads again from iCloud. Try simpler fixes first, like restarting and checking your internet connection, because a full sign-out also turns off Find My while you're signed out.
Signing in with a different account
Once you've signed out, the same Settings screen offers Sign in at the top. Enter the other Apple Account and choose what to merge. If you kept a copy of contacts or calendars, the phone may ask whether to merge them with the new account. Say no unless you want the two mixed together.
If you're signing out because photos look wrong, my guide to photos disappearing from the iPhone camera roll covers the iCloud Photos settings that cause most of that, and it's worth checking before you sign out.
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My verdict
Back up, make sure you know your Apple Account password, then go to Settings, your name, Sign Out. If the device is leaving you, erase it; if you're keeping it, choose Sign Out But Don't Erase and keep copies of what you need. On a Mac, use Keep a Copy for contacts and calendars. For more iPhone know-how, see my guide to ChatGPT on iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I sign out of iCloud on my iPhone?
Open Settings, tap your name, scroll down and tap Sign Out.
Will signing out of iCloud delete my photos?
Not from iCloud. They're removed from that device unless you keep a copy.
Do I need my password to sign out of iCloud?
Yes, your device passcode or Apple Account password.
What happens to Find My when I sign out of iCloud?
Find My is turned off on that device, along with iCloud Backup and Keychain.
How do I sign out of iCloud on a Mac?
Open System Settings, click your name, then Sign Out.
Why is Sign Out greyed out on my iPhone?
Screen Time restrictions or device management can block it.
