Why you might need to remove a device from iCloud
You remove a device from iCloud when you sell it, give it away, stop using it, or suspect someone else has access to it. Once removed, that device can no longer back up to your iCloud account, access your photos, contacts, or calendar through iCloud, or use Find My iPhone to locate it. The device itself still works — it just disconnects from your account.
Removing a device is different from erasing it. Removing stops the connection to your account. Erasing wipes the device's storage. You can do either one alone, or both together. Most people remove a device first, then erase it if they are giving it away or selling it.
If you have lost a device or think someone is using it without permission, removing it from iCloud is one step — but you should also change your Apple ID password and check your account activity to see what was accessed.
Key Takeaways
- You remove a device from iCloud by signing into iCloud.com, going to Account Settings, and selecting the device from your list to remove it.
- Removing a device stops it from backing up to iCloud and accessing your photos, contacts, and calendar, but does not erase the device itself.
- If you are selling or giving away a device, you should remove it from iCloud before erasing it so the new owner can set up their own account.
- If you suspect someone else is using a device on your account, remove it and change your Apple ID password when ready.
How to remove a device using iCloud.com
Go to iCloud.com in a web browser and sign in with your Apple ID and password. Click your name or profile picture in the top right corner, then select Account Settings.
On the left side, click Devices. You will see a list of every iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV connected to your account. Find the device you want to remove and click it.
Click Remove from Account. A popup will ask you to confirm. Click Remove again. The device is now disconnected from your iCloud account. This takes effect when ready — the device will no longer back up to iCloud or sync your calendar, contacts, and photos.
How to remove a device from the device itself
If you have the device in your hands, you can remove it from iCloud directly on the device. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Scroll down and tap Sign Out. You will be asked whether to keep or delete a copy of your iCloud data on the device. Choose based on whether you want to keep your photos, contacts, and calendar on that device after you sign out.
On a Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your name at the top, then click iCloud. Click Sign Out at the bottom. Again, you will choose whether to keep a local copy of your data.
Signing out on the device itself is faster if you have the device available, but it only removes that one device. If you want to remove multiple devices or a device you no longer have access to, use iCloud.com instead.
What happens after you remove a device
Once removed, the device stops syncing with your iCloud account. Any photos, notes, or calendar events you add to iCloud after removal will not appear on that device. If the device had a local copy of your data (photos, contacts, calendar), those remain on the device — they just stop updating.
The device can still connect to Wi-Fi and use apps. It straightforward no longer has access to your iCloud account. If someone else gets the device, they can set up their own Apple ID and iCloud account on it without any connection to yours.
If you removed the device by mistake, you can sign back in with your Apple ID on that device, and it will reconnect to your iCloud account.
Removing a device before selling or giving it away
If you are selling or giving away a device, remove it from iCloud first, then erase it. Removing it first ensures the new owner can set up their own Apple ID without running into set up lock issues.
After removing the device from iCloud, go to Settings on the device, tap General, then Transfer or Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. This wipes the device completely. The new owner will see a setup screen when they turn it on and can create their own account.
If you skip the removal step and erase the device while it is still linked to your account, the new owner may see an set up lock screen asking for your Apple ID password. You would then have to remove the device from your account remotely to let them proceed.
What to do if you have lost a device
If you have lost an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to iCloud.com, sign in, and click Find My. You can see the device's location on a map if it is turned on and connected to the internet. You can also send a sound to the device, lock it remotely, or erase it remotely.
After you have located the device or decided it is gone for good, remove it from your account using the steps above. Then change your Apple ID password. Go to Account Settings on iCloud.com, click Password and Security, and click Change Password. This prevents anyone who has your device from accessing your account.
Check your account activity to see if anyone accessed your account while you did not have the device. In Account Settings, click Password and Security, then scroll to Recent Account Activity. If you see sign-ins from unfamiliar locations or devices, click Not You? to find your account further.
Removing a device when you do not have the password
If you are removing someone else's device from your family account, or if you have forgotten the password, you can still remove the device from iCloud.com. Sign in with your own Apple ID, go to Account Settings, click Devices, and remove the device. You do not need the device's password to do this.
However, if the device is protected by Find My and you try to set it up with a different Apple ID, it will ask for the original account's password. This is Apple's set up lock, designed to prevent theft. If you legitimately own the device but forgot the password, you will need to reset your Apple ID password or contact Apple Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a device from iCloud erase it?
No. Removing a device from iCloud disconnects it from your account but does not erase its storage. The device keeps all its photos, apps, messages, and files. If you want to erase it, you must do that separately through the device's settings.
Can I remove a device from iCloud if I do not have it?
Yes. Sign into iCloud.com with your Apple ID, go to Account Settings, click Devices, find the device, and click Remove from Account. You do not need the device itself or its password. This is useful if you have lost a device or sold it and want to disconnect it from your account.
What if I remove a device by mistake?
You can reconnect it. Pick up the device, go to Settings, tap your name, and sign in with your Apple ID again. The device will reconnect to your iCloud account and resume backing up and syncing.
Will the person who gets my old device see my photos and contacts?
Not if you remove the device from iCloud before giving it to them and then erase it. After erasing, the device has no data on it. When they set it up, they will create their own Apple ID and iCloud account with no access to your information.
How do I know which device is which in my iCloud device list?
Each device shows its name, model, and the date it was last used. You can click on a device to see more details like its serial number. If you are not sure which device is which, you can use Find My to send a sound to it, or look at the device names you set in Settings under your Apple ID name.