Remove Devices from Your Apple ID A Complete Guide for iPhone & More

Your first Apple device may seem like ages ago; that is also when you first created your Apple ID. After that, you have upgraded your iOS devices multiple times, discarding or reselling the old ones. Sometimes, you even forget to delete the iCloud account. However, do you know that all Apple devices remain connected to your Apple ID unless you manually disconnect them? The Apple ID device list displays all devices associated with your ID. We sometimes attach more devices to our account than we plan to, so it is essential to manage your device list to avoid things from getting messy. Although it may seem harmless to keep these devices connected, this oversight can lead to security risks. Therefore, you must remove all the old devices from it before selling them; after all, none of us wants to sell any device that can still access our sensitive information. 

What is Your Apple ID Device List?

An Apple ID device list enlists all the devices that use Apple account services, such as iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watches, Macs, and more. Although it is a convenient way of keeping track of devices that still have access to your ID, there is a catch. This list only shows you the devices that are currently using your Apple ID but doesn't show the entire history of your account. Keeping your Apple ID logins in check is extremely important, as all your account services, including iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and App Store, are connected to it. Therefore, you must only keep the devices that are currently in use to avoid issues and confusion.

How can you view the devices that are linked to your Apple ID?

You should keep your Apple ID logins in check. The list of devices associated with your Apple ID is easily available at the Account Centre in the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

• You can open the System settings on your MacBook and click on your name.
• Scroll down and click on Devices to view the list. 
• On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Your ID name > Devices. Here, you will see a list of all devices connected to your ID.
• You can also view this list on the Apple website by entering your Apple ID and password and then clicking on Devices.

How can you remove your iCloud from your iPhone?

Your iCloud account backs up data from all your devices where your Apple ID is logged in. You should manually log out of your Apple ID on the device that you wish to sell. You can also perform a complete factory reset as a precaution.

• To remove your iCloud account, go to settings.
• Log out of your Apple ID. This will erase your iCloud account from the device.

Another way of deleting your iCloud account is through iCloud.com.

• Enter your Apple ID and password on the iCloud website.
• Click on the Devices section.
• Find your device and remove it.
• This will erase your iCloud account from your iPhone, removing the Activation Lock and making it accessible to other users.

If you are wondering how to erase an iPad from your account, follow the same steps.

How to unlink a device from Apple ID on a Mac?

You can easily remove any device from your Apple ID through your MacBook.

• Go to System settings, then click on Your Name, shown at the top of the sidebar. 
• Scroll down till you see a section named "Trusted Devices". Here, you will see a list of all devices connected to your ID.
• Select the one you want to remove and click Remove from Account. 
• You can also delete the iCloud account on your MacBook from iCloud.com.

How to remove iCloud from Apple Watch and AirPods?

You should know how to remove your Apple ID from your Apple Watch and AirPods so you can easily resell them. It is very easy, and you can do it from your iPhone.

• You must keep your phone and the watch close together, then open the Apple Watch App on your iPhone.
• Select the My Watch option, then click on the specific watch that you want to unpair.
• A confirmation message will appear, confirm your action, and then enter your Apple ID and password.
• Don't worry, your data is backed up, and you won't lose it after removing your watch.

There is another way of removing AirPods or Apple Watch from your account.

• Search iCloud.com in any browser and then enter your Apple ID and password. 
• You will see a My Devices section; open it and scroll down until you find the device you want to remove, such as your AirPods, Apple Watch, or any other device.
• Select your device and remove it from your account. 

Security Tips after Removing a Device:

• You should frequently check your Apple ID Device list and remove unknown or old devices from your account.
• Don't overlook this issue, and enable two-factor verification if you haven't already.
• It is also a smart decision to change your ID's password when giving away or selling your used phone to someone.

These precautions can protect you from many security risks.

FAQ:

Q - Can I remove my Apple ID from a device without knowing my password?

Whether you try to erase your iPad through your other device or the web, both methods require you to enter your Apple ID password. If you have forgotten your ID password, then you must first reset it by visiting Apple's website.

Q - Is it safe to remove my old device from my Apple ID?

You must understand that removing an old device from your Apple account doesn't delete its data. On the other hand, the Activation Lock on it will be disabled. So, if you lost your old device somewhere or if it was stolen, once you erase your iCloud account from it, anyone can access its data, which is not safe for you.

Q - Is it necessary to remove my device from my Apple ID before I sell or give it away?

As long as that device remains attached to your Apple ID, it can access your data. Therefore, before selling, you should remove the device from your account and perform a factory reset.

Q - Will removing a device from my ID stop it from being tracked in Find My iPhone?

The Find My iPhone app is connected to your main Apple ID. Once you remove a device from your ID, its location will not appear on the app.