How to Disconnect iPad from iPhone: Stop Calls, Photos & Syncing

Apple ecosystem allows you to start an email on your phone and finish it on your tablet, or answer a call from the kitchen while your phone is charging in the bedroom. But sometimes, this seamless connection works too well, turning convenience into a major nuisance. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover every method to disconnect iPad from iPhone, ranging from simple setting toggles that preserve your account to a complete Apple ID removal for a fresh start.

Part 1. Stop Calls, Texts, and Handoff

Many users believe that to stop the annoying crossover between their devices, they have to completely delete their account from the iPad. Fortunately, this isn't true. You don't always need to sign out to "disconnect" the devices.

If your main issue is that your iPad is acting like a giant, clumsy extension of your phone, you can simply turn off the specific "Continuity" features that are causing the problem. This allows you to keep your shared paid apps and iCloud Drive while stopping the interruptions.

1.1 How to Stop iPhone Calls from Ringing on iPad

There is nothing more jarring than settling down for a quiet reading session or a movie on your iPad, only to have it blast your iPhone's ringtone at full volume. This feature, known as "Calls on Other Devices," uses your local Wi-Fi network to route cellular calls from your iPhone to your iPad. While useful in an office setting, it is often a source of embarrassment in public or frustration at home. Here is how to turn off this feature.

Step 1. On your iPhone, go to Settings.

Step 2. Scroll down and tap Phone (or Cellular in some regions).

Step 3. Tap on Calls on Other Devices.

Step 4. You will see a list of linked devices. You can toggle off the switch for your specific iPad, or toggle off Allow Calls on Other Devices entirely to stop it for all devices.

1.2 How to Stop Text Messages (iMessage) on iPad

Privacy is a major concern when sharing devices. If you use your iPad as a "family device" that sits on the living room coffee table, you likely do not want your personal SMS or private iMessages appearing on the screen for your children or spouse to read. Apple automatically pushes messages to all signed-in devices by default, but you can restrict this without removing your account entirely.

Step 1. On your iPad, open Settings.

Step 2. Tap on Messages > Send & Receive.

Step 3. Uncheck your phone number. You can leave your Apple ID email checked if you still want to receive messages sent specifically to your email, but unchecking the number disconnects it from your iPhone's text chain.

Step 4. Alternatively, toggle off iMessage at the top to disable messaging on the tablet entirely.

1.3 Disable "Handoff" (The Safari Popup)

Have you ever noticed that when you are browsing Safari or writing an email on your iPhone, a little icon suddenly appears on the far right side of your iPad's dock? That feature is called Handoff. It is designed to let you instantly swap tasks between devices. If you don't want your iPad knowing what you are doing on your iPhone, you should disable this link.

Step 1. On both devices, go to Settings > General.

Step 2. Tap AirPlay & Handoff.

Step 3. Toggle the Handoff switch to OFF.

Part 2. Stop Syncing Photos & Apps

Beyond just calls and texts, the silent synchronization of data can be a massive headache. If you have ever wondered why your iPad storage is full even though you hardly have any apps on it, the culprit is usually iCloud syncing.

By default, Apple tries to mirror your iPhone's content to your iPad, filling it with photos, browser history, and apps you may not want or need on a secondary device. Here is how to regain control of your storage and privacy.

2.1 Unlink iCloud Photos

Photos and videos are the biggest storage hogs on any device. If you take 1,000 photos on your iPhone vacation, you probably don't need all 1,000 of them automatically downloading to your iPad and eating up its limited space.

Step 1. Open Settings on your iPad.

Step 2. Tap your Name/Apple ID Banner at the very top.

Step 3. Tap iCloud > Photos.

Step 4. Toggle off Sync this iPad.

2.2 Stop Automatic App Downloads

It can be incredibly frustrating to organize your iPad Home Screen exactly how you like it, only to find it cluttered with random apps the next day. This happens because of "Automatic Downloads." If you download a calculator or a parking app on your iPhone, iOS assumes you want it on your iPad, too.

Step 1. Go to Settings > App Store.

Step 2. Under "Automatic Downloads," toggle off App Downloads.

Step 3. While you are here, you can also toggle off App Updates if you prefer to manage updates manually.

Part 3. Remove iPad from Apple ID

If the partial fixes above aren't enough, or if you are planning to sell, trade-in, or gift your iPad to someone else, you need to perform a "clean break." Simply turning off settings isn't enough in this scenario; you must completely remove the digital association between the iPad and your unique Apple ID.

3.1 Sign Out via Settings

This is the standard, correct way to disconnect an iPad. By signing out directly on the device, you trigger a safe data removal process. It ensures that features like "Find My iPad," iCloud Drive, and App Store purchases are all deactivated simultaneously.

Step 1. Open Settings on the iPad you want to disconnect.

Step 2. Tap your Name/Banner at the top.

Step 3. Scroll to the very bottom and tap Sign Out (in red text).

Step 4. Enter your Apple ID Password to turn off "Find My iPad."

Step 5. Choose if you want to keep a copy of data (Contacts, Keychain, etc.) on the device. If you are selling it, keep these unchecked.

Step 6. Tap Sign Out again to confirm.

3.2 Remove Device Remotely via iPhone or Mac

What happens if you have already sold the iPad, or maybe you left it at a family member's house and want to disconnect it without driving back to get it? Apple provides a way to remotely "unlink" a device from your trusted circle. This is also a great method if the iPad screen is broken and you cannot navigate the menus.

Step 1. On your iPhone, open Settings > [Your Name].

Step 2. Scroll down past your iCloud settings. You will see a list of all devices linked to your ID.

Step 3. Tap the iPad you want to remove.

Step 4. Tap Remove from Account.

Step 5. Confirm the removal. This forces the iPad to sign out the next time it connects to the internet.

Part 4. How to Disconnect iPad from iPhone Without Password

The methods listed above all rely on one crucial requirement: You must know your Apple ID Password. But what if you can't remember the password to an old account? Or what if you bought a second-hand iPad that is still linked to the previous owner's iPhone? At that time, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker becomes the essential solution. It bypasses these strict barriers safely, allowing you to regain control of the hardware.

Let's learn how to disconnect iPad from iPhone via TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1Connect iPad to a Computer

To disconnect iPad from iPad by using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker, you should first download and install TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on the computer. Then, connect your iPhone to it. When your iPhone is detected, click on the Unlock Apple ID option and choose the Start button.

Step 2Dual Confirmation

If the Find My iPad feature is disabled on your iPad, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to disconnect iPad from iPhone directly. If not, please ensure that the two-factor authentication and screen lock is set up on your iPad. Click on the Next button.

Step 3Download Firmware Package

Here, you will need to download the firmware package to remove the Apple ID from your iPad. Please check the onscreen information and confirm that there is nothing wrong. Click on the Download button to start downloading.

Step 4Disconnect iPad from iPhone

After downloading the firmware package, click the Unlock button. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to remove the Apple ID from your iPad. When the Apple ID is removed from your iPad, your iPad will disconnect from your iPhone automatically.

Part 5. FAQs About Unsyncing Apple Devices

Part 6. Conclusion

That's all about how to unsync iPad from iPhone. The above three methods are all feasible. If you forgot your Apple ID password, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is the most recommended method. If you are still having other questions, please leave us a comment below and the TunesKit Support team will help you.