How to delete your Apple Account
As part of putting you in control of your data and privacy, Apple gives you the ability to permanently delete your Apple Account at any time and for any reason.
This article provides information and answers to common questions about deleting your Apple Account. Make sure you read this entire page to understand what will happen after your Apple Account has been deleted.
Apple ID is now Apple Account. You can still sign in with the same email address or phone number and password.
About deleting your Apple Account
After your Apple Account has been deleted, your account details and the data associated with your Apple Account will be permanently deleted from Apple’s servers, other than certain data required for legal and/or regulatory purposes. You can’t sign in to your account, and you won’t be able to access any data, content or services that were associated with your Apple Account.
Photos, videos, documents and other content that you’ve stored in iCloud will be permanently deleted; you won’t receive any messages or calls sent to your account via iMessage, FaceTime or iCloud Mail; and you won’t be able to sign in and use services such as iCloud, the App Store, the iTunes Store, Apple Books, Apple Pay, iMessage, FaceTime and Find My iPhone. In addition, any Apple Store appointments and AppleCare support cases will be cancelled.
Deleting your Apple Account is a permanent process. After your account has been deleted, Apple can’t reopen or reactivate your account or restore your data. If you aren’t planning on using your account for the time being but may consider returning to it in the future, we recommend temporarily deactivating your account (where available) instead of deleting it. A request for anonymisation will be treated as a request for deletion and follows the same procedure.
Before requesting the deletion of your Apple Account
We recommend that you take a few steps before requesting the deletion of your Apple Account.
Back up the data that you store in iCloud – including content for any Apple or third-party apps that store data using iCloud – to a place that doesn’t use your Apple Account for access.
Download apps, games, music, films, TV programmes, books and audiobooks that you don’t have copies of.
Review any active subscriptions. When your account is deleted, subscriptions are cancelled at the end of their billing cycles.
Pay off any remaining loan instalments that you have with Apple Pay Later.
Save copies of any Apple-related information that you currently need or expect to need.
Make sure you sign out of all of your devices to avoid issues with apps that use your Apple Account or iCloud. After your account has been deleted, you won’t be able to sign out of iCloud or turn off Find My iPhone Activation Lock on your devices. If you forget to sign out, you may not be able to use your device when your account is deleted.
How to permanently delete your Apple Account
Sign in to your Apple Account on Apple’s Data and Privacy page on a Mac, Windows PC, iPhone, iPad or Apple Vision Pro, and select “Request to delete your account”.
After requesting the deletion of your account, you’ll receive a unique alphanumeric access code. Make sure that you keep this access code in a safe place. For a short period of time while your request is being processed, you can contact Apple Support, provide your access code and we’ll help you cancel your request so you can resume using your Apple Account.
After requesting the deletion of your Apple Account
After requesting the deletion of your Apple Account, we’ll verify that you are the account holder who made the request. After this verification process has been completed, account details and data associated with your Apple Account will be permanently deleted from Apple’s servers. At this point, you will no longer be able to sign in to your account or access any data, content, services or appointments that were associated with your Apple Account.
After deleting your Apple Account, Apple will make our best effort to delete all of the personal data associated with your account. However, we are required to retain past transaction information for financial reporting purposes, and we may be required to retain certain information to comply with a court settlement or other ongoing legal procedure. We also retain a one-way hash of the email address of the deleted account to comply with legal obligations, and for as long as necessary for the legitimate interests of demonstrating our compliance with data protection laws and for account security. This hash of your email address will be retained as evidence that Apple complied with your deletion request. For third-party (non-Apple) domain accounts, the one-way hash will be deleted after six years. For other accounts, this hash will be retained in line with our retention policy, which is reviewed regularly. Apple does not use the hash of the email address for any other purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I change my mind after I have requested that my account be deleted?
While your request is being processed, you can contact Apple Support with the unique alphanumeric access code you received and we’ll help you cancel your request. After your account has been deleted, Apple can’t cancel the request, reopen your account or restore your data.
What will happen to my iCloud email and messages after my Apple Account has been deleted?
After your Apple Account has been deleted, all of your iCloud email and messages will be permanently deleted as well. Any messages sent to you via iCloud (Mail and iMessage) are not delivered.
What happens to music, films, TV programmes, books and apps that I purchased with my account?
After deleting your account, you won’t be able to access any App Store, iTunes Store or Apple Books services associated with this Apple Account. These services include, but are not limited to:
Updating purchased apps
Downloading previously purchased items
Syncing DRM-protected purchased items to iOS and iPadOS devices
Copying DRM-protected purchased items from one computer to another
Playing rented items
Authorising computers to play DRM-protected purchased items
Accessing iTunes Match, if you are subscribed
Accessing Season Passes in the Apple TV app
Content without Digital Rights Management (DRM), such as iTunes Store music purchases, will continue to work normally after you’ve deleted your Apple Account. However, any DRM-free content stored in Sync Library will not be accessible or able to be played. You should download all DRM-free purchases, iTunes Match tracks that you don’t have copies of, and any other music and media before deleting your account.
Any content with DRM protection that you have purchased – such as films, TV programmes or apps – will stop working or stop being updated depending on the content type.
What will happen to my Apple Account balance after deleting my account?
Any unused credit balance in your account isn’t redeemable or refundable after your Apple Account has been deleted. You can either spend your balance or contact Apple Support to request a refund before deleting your account. Similarly, if you have a balance due to Apple, you must clear this balance before we can delete your account.
What happens to my subscriptions?
Any subscriptions that you have for services such as Apple Music, iCloud+, AppleCare+ or third-party services that you have subscribed to using your Apple Account or that are linked to your Apple Account will be cancelled at the end of the billing cycles after deleting your account.
What happens to my Apple Pay Later loan?
Apple Pay Later is no longer offering new loans for purchases with Apple Pay. Before you can delete your Apple Account, any remaining loan instalments you have with Apple Pay Later must be paid off.
I subscribed to Apple Music through my mobile network provider. What happens to my subscription?
If you’ve subscribed to Apple Music through a mobile network provider and linked your account to the Apple Account you are deleting, you can still stream music but you will lose access to other Apple Music features, such as Sync Library.
I am a family organiser. How does deleting my account affect my family members?
When you delete your account, your family group is disbanded and all family members lose access to any shared subscriptions or content. Any DRM-protected music, films, TV shows, books or apps that have been previously downloaded from other family members’ collections are no longer usable by any family members.
If you’re the organiser of a Family Sharing group that includes a child, the child’s account will also be deleted. Or you can transfer the child account to another family before requesting the deletion of your Apple Account.
Can I delete my child’s account?
If you are the organiser of your family, you can delete your child’s Apple Account when requesting the deletion of your own account. Your child can also request the deletion of their Apple Account, which will require your approval.
The approval request will be sent by email to the primary Apple Account email address of your family organiser account. When approving the request from this email, you’ll go through the process of deleting the child account.
Will I still receive the purchases that I made online at apple.com/uk?
Yes. Active online orders are processed normally after your account is deleted.
Will product repairs that I have in progress continue after my account is deleted?
Yes. Deleting your Apple Account will not cancel repairs that already in progress.
Apple Support is helping me with something at the moment. Can I still get help after I delete my account?
Apple Support can help you after your account is deleted. However, any currently open cases will be cancelled, and we won’t be able to help you with issues related to your deleted account.
Can I still use my AppleCare+ plan to get a service for my device?
If your device is covered by an AppleCare+ plan that is paid in full, you can still use the plan to get a service after your account has been deleted, unless you cancel the plan and request a refund or if you transfer the plan to someone else.
If your device is covered by an AppleCare+ subscription, that subscription will be cancelled at the end of the billing cycle after deleting your Apple Account. You can get a service for your device until the subscription has been cancelled.
Are my upcoming appointments at the Apple Store still on the schedule after my account is deleted?
No. Appointments or reservations that you scheduled at the Apple Store are cancelled when your account is deleted.
I am enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Programme. Do I still have to make payments after my Apple Account has been deleted?
Yes. If you are enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Programme, you must continue making payments for your device. However, you may not be able to place subsequent upgrade orders online without your related Apple Account.
What will happen to my Apple Card1 account after my Apple Account has been deleted?
After your Apple Account has been deleted, you will lose access to your Apple Card account. This will also close Apple Card accounts for all other co-owners2 and participants3 on your shared Apple Card Family account4. Any future statements and communication will be sent to the postal address on file with Goldman Sachs. If you have an outstanding balance, you must continue to pay at least your minimum due each month until your account balance is settled. To manage your Apple Card account and make payments, contact Goldman Sachs, the issuing bank for Apple Card.
What will happen to my Apple Cash5 account after my Apple Account has been deleted?
After your Apple Account has been deleted, you will lose access to your Apple Cash account. Before deletion, your Apple Cash balance must be spent or transferred to another user or bank account. If you’re the organiser for Apple Cash Family, any family members using that service must also spend or transfer their balance. Or you can contact Apple Support to request a cheque for the remaining funds.
Before deleting your account, verify your identity with the bank that issues the Apple Cash account. This makes sure that they have sufficient information to open a dispute on your behalf, issue a statement after your account is deleted or provide access to merchant credits received after the account is deleted.
What will happen to my travel cards in Apple Pay after my Apple Account has been deleted?
After the deletion of your Apple Account, you will lose access to travel cards that you’ve set up with Apple Pay. You can choose to spend the balance before deleting, or contact the transport provider to request a refund for the remaining funds. Apple cannot reimburse a balance or refundable service fee associated with a travel card.
I distribute apps and other content on Apple platforms. What will happen to my store content after my Apple Account has been deleted?
After your account has been deleted, you’ll lose access to your store content through App Store Connect and iTunes Connect. If your account is the legal “Account Holder”, you will not be able to accept or renew contracts, and your content may lapse and be removed from the store unless you assign a new legal user to your content before requesting deletion. Find out more about managing your developer account.
Can Apple still contact me after I’ve deleted my account?
After deleting your Apple Account, your associated email and other contact information will be removed from all Apple mailing lists after a few days. Deleting your account will limit Apple’s ability to contact you about products, warranties, claims, disputes or any legal actions under which you may be entitled to compensation from Apple. In some cases, such as if you have emailed us directly about an ongoing issue, we may retain a way to contact you that is not linked to your account.
In addition, if you’ve requested the deletion of an Apple Account that’s been used for a job application or recruiting at Apple, your job seeker profile, the information associated with it and any pending interviews or appointments will be deleted too.
What will happen to my reports and complaints after I’ve deleted my account?
After deleting your Apple Account, information on your account – including your contact information – will only be retained as necessary to process any reports or complaints that you’ve filed on reportaproblem.apple.com or contentreports.apple.com. This information will be retained for a period of at least six months following the outcome of any such reports, and only for as long as necessary to allow for the submission or processing of any complaint in relation to this outcome. After you’ve deleted your account, you will no longer able to submit additional reports with your account.
Can I use the primary email address associated with my deleted Apple Account to create a new Apple Account or with another existing Apple Account?
No. After your Apple Account has been deleted, you can’t use the email address that you used with it to create a new Apple Account for as long as Apple retains the one-way hash of the email address. For third-party (non-Apple) domain accounts, the one-way hash will be deleted after six years. For other accounts, this will be retained according to Apple's retention policy, which is reviewed regularly. In addition, you can’t use that email address with another existing Apple Account except as a rescue email. Also, if your primary Apple Account email address has a Custom Email Domain, it can never be reused to create an Apple Account after your Apple Account has been deleted, even if the domain ownership changes.
How do I opt out of direct marketing?
You will be automatically removed from all Apple mailing lists after deleting your Apple Account.
Can I contact Apple about how my data is managed?
Yes. If you have any questions or feedback about Apple's Privacy Policy or other topics, submit a privacy enquiry.
1. To access and use all Apple Card features and products that are only available to Apple Card users, you must add Apple Card to Wallet on an iPhone or iPad that supports and is running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Apple Card is subject to credit approval, only available for qualifying applicants in the United States and is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch.
If you reside in the US territories, please call Goldman Sachs at +1-877-255-5923 with any questions about Apple Card.
2. Each Co-Owner is individually liable for all balances on the Co-Owned Apple Card, including amounts due on your Co-Owner’s account before the accounts were merged. Each Co-Owner will be reported to credit bureaux as an owner on the account. In addition, Co-Owners will have full visibility into all account activity and each Co-Owner is responsible for the other Co-Owner’s instructions or requests. Co-Ownership involves risk, including payment history and other information about your Apple Card, including negative items, such as missed payments. Addition of new Co-Owner or merging existing accounts is subject to credit approval and general eligibility requirements. For Apple Card eligibility requirements, click here. Either Co-Owner can close the account at any time, which may negatively impact your credit, and you will still be responsible for paying all balances on the account. For details on account-sharing options, including some of the risks and benefits, click here.
3. If you are a Participant, you will be able to spend on the account but will not be responsible for payments. Being a Participant who is reported to the credit bureaux on an account that has a negative payment history (e.g. the account goes past due) or is over-utilised can have negative effects on your credit. The account owner will remain responsible for all purchases made by a Participant. For more details, including some risks and benefits of being a Participant, click here.
4. Apple Card Family Participants and Co-Owners do not need to have a familial relationship but must be part of the same Apple Family Sharing group.
5. Apple Cash services are provided by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC. Apple Payments Services LLC, a subsidiary of Apple Inc., is a service provider of Green Dot Bank for Apple Cash accounts. Neither Apple Inc. nor Apple Payments Services LLC is a bank. Find out more about the Terms and Conditions. Only available in the US on eligible devices. To send and receive money with an Apple Cash account, you must be 18 and a US resident. If you’re under 18, your family organiser can set up Apple Cash for you as part of their Apple Cash Family account, but you may not be able to access features that require a supported payment card. Security checks may require more time to make funds available. Apple Cash Family accounts can only send or receive up to $2,000 within a rolling seven-day period. Tap to Cash transactions can only be used to send or receive up to $2,000 within a rolling seven-day period. Other limits apply; see Terms and Conditions for details. To access and use all Apple Cash features, you must have an eligible device with Wallet that has the latest version of iOS.
Apple Pay is a service provided by certain Apple affiliates, as designated by the Apple Pay privacy notice. Neither Apple Inc. nor its affiliates are a bank. Any card used in Apple Pay is offered by the card issuer.
Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.
