If an item or device is connected to another Apple ID

If you try to set up an Apple device, AirTag, or Find My network item and see a message that it's connected to another Apple ID, the device or item needs to be removed from that Apple ID before you can connect it with a new Apple ID. The previous owner might have to follow these steps.

Remove a Find My network item or device from an Apple ID

Use these steps to remove devices such as AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and iPhone Leather Wallet, Apple items such as AirTag, or Find My network items.

These steps also remove Find My Lock, which is the association of the device or item with an Apple ID. Find My Lock needs to be removed before you can associate the device or item with a different Apple ID.

  • If the device or item is associated with the Apple ID of the previous owner, the previous owner needs to follow these steps to remove the device or item from their Apple ID.
  • The device or item needs to be connected via Bluetooth to the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac used to remove the device or item, and the device or item needs to be within Bluetooth range.

These steps are the only way to remove an item from an Apple ID and remove Find My Lock. They can be performed from any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or Mac that's signed in with the same Apple ID. Apple can't remove Find My Lock for you.

How to remove AirPods, AirTag, or another Find My network item or device from an Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

  1. Make sure that the device or item is connected via Bluetooth to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, and is within Bluetooth range.
  2. Open the Find My app, then tap the Items tab or Devices tab.
  3. Tap the item or device you want to remove, then swipe up on the handle.
    After you tap an item or device in the Find My app, swipe up to see more options.
  4. Tap Remove Item or Remove This Device, then tap Remove to confirm.
    Tap Remove Item to remove an time from Find My and remove Find My Lock.

How to remove AirPods or another Find My network device from an Apple ID on Mac

  1. Make sure that the device is connected via Bluetooth to your Mac, and is within Bluetooth range.
  2. Open the Find My app.
  3. Select the Devices tab.
  4. Select the device that you want to remove.
  5. On the map, click the More Info button .
  6. Click Remove This Device.

AirTag and Find My network items can be removed from an Apple ID only on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Set up your Find My network item or device with a different Apple ID

To begin the setup process, the new owner should hold the device, AirTag, or Find My network item near their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

If you can't remove the device or item from an Apple ID

If you can't remove the device or item from an Apple ID, you should reset it.

When you reset your device or item, it won't provide its location information to the previous owner. However, you still won't be able to associate the device or item with a different Apple ID.

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