If an item or device is connected to another Apple Account
When you try to set up an Apple device like AirPods or an item like an AirTag, you might see a message in the Find My app that says it's paired to another Apple Account. The previous owner needs to remove the device or item from their Apple Account before you can pair it with a new account.
Remove a device, item or Find My network accessory from an Apple Account
Devices, items, and other Find My network accessories must be paired to only one Apple Account to use them in the Find My app. If you want to use someone else’s accessory, they must remove it from their Apple Account before you can pair and use it.
When you unpair the device or item from the Apple Account, you also remove Find My Lock, the association of the device or item with an Apple Account. Find My Lock needs to be removed before you can pair the device or item with a different Apple Account. Apple can't remove Find My Lock for you.
To remove Find My Lock, ask the previous owner to remove the device or item from their Apple Account. If the device or item is Bluetooth-connected and within Bluetooth range of the iPhone or other Apple device being used to remove it from their Apple Account, the process may be faster.
How to remove AirPods, an AirTag or another Find My network accessory or device from an Apple Account on an iPhone or iPad
Open the Find My app, then tap Devices or Items.
Tap the device or item you want to remove, then tap the Details button
.
Tap Remove, Remove Item or Remove This Device, then tap Remove to confirm.
How to remove AirPods or another device from an Apple Account on a Mac
Open the Find My app.
Click Devices.
Select the device you want to remove, then click the More button
.On the map, click the More Info button
.Click Remove or Remove This Device.
You can't remove items, such as an AirTag or Find My network accessories, from an Apple Account on a Mac.
How to remove AirPods on icloud.com
Go to icloud.com/find and sign in with your Apple Account.
In the devices list, find the AirPods that you want to remove.
Tap the name, then tap Remove or Remove This Device.
If you can’t remove the device or item from an Apple Account
If you can’t remove the device or item and unpair it from an Apple Account, you should reset it. While you still won’t be able to pair it with your Apple Account, this will prevent the device or item from sharing your location with the previous owner.
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