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How Do I Delete Another Apple ID?

Published in Apple Account Management 3 mins read

Deleting another person's Apple ID requires you to have their explicit permission and access to their account. You cannot legally delete someone else's Apple ID without their consent. If you do have their permission and access, here's how you can proceed:

Steps to Delete an Apple ID

Important: Deleting an Apple ID is a permanent action. Ensure the Apple ID owner fully understands the implications, including loss of access to iCloud data, App Store purchases, and other Apple services.

  1. Go to Apple's Data and Privacy website: Using a web browser, navigate to the Apple Data and Privacy portal: https://privacy.apple.com/. You'll need to sign in using the Apple ID you wish to delete.

  2. Request Account Deletion: After signing in, scroll down to the "Delete your account" section and click "Request to delete your account."

  3. Select a Reason: A drop-down menu will appear, asking you to provide a reason for deleting the account. Select the most appropriate reason and click "Continue."

  4. Review the Deletion Information: Apple will present a summary of what deleting the account entails. Read this information carefully and click "Continue."

  5. Agree to Terms and Conditions: You will need to agree to the terms and conditions related to deleting the account.

  6. Choose a Contact Method: Select how Apple can contact you regarding your deletion request (usually an email address).

  7. Verification Code: You will receive a verification code at the contact method you selected. Enter this code to confirm the deletion request.

  8. Make a Note of the Access Code: You'll be given an access code. Safeguard this code! You might need it to contact Apple if you change your mind during the waiting period.

  9. Account Deletion Waiting Period: Apple will typically put the account on hold for a few days before permanently deleting it, providing a window to cancel the request. The account owner will likely receive notifications during this time.

Important Considerations:

  • Data Backup: Before deleting the Apple ID, ensure that any important data associated with the account (photos, documents, contacts, etc.) is backed up. This data will be permanently lost upon deletion.
  • iCloud Lock: If the Apple ID is associated with a device (iPhone, iPad, Mac) that's using "Find My" (Activation Lock), the device may become unusable. It is crucial to remove the device from the Apple ID before deleting the account. To do this, sign into iCloud.com with the Apple ID, go to Find iPhone/Find My, select the device, and click "Remove from Account."
  • Subscriptions: Cancel any active subscriptions associated with the Apple ID before deletion to avoid future charges.

What if I don't have the password?

If you don't know the Apple ID password, you can try to reset it through Apple's account recovery process: https://iforgot.apple.com/. However, you will need access to the associated email address or phone number for verification. Without access to these, recovering or deleting the Apple ID is very difficult.