How to Unlink Two iPhones with Same Apple ID [6 Methods]
"I have 2 iPhones with the same Apple ID, how do I separate the two? Any suggestion is appreciated."
Many people use two iPhones—one for personal use and another for work. Thanks to iCloud, you can sync files and content across different iPhones as long as they're signed in with the same Apple ID. However, using the same Apple ID on two phones can sometimes cause annoying problems.
If you're struggling with these issues, it's important to know how to unlink two iPhones with the same Apple ID. In this post, I'll walk you through 6 effective solutions to separate two iPhones using the same Apple ID. Keep reading!
Part 1. What Are Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Same Apple ID?
Using the same Apple ID on multiple iPhones (e.g., between family members or across your own devices) can be convenient, but it also comes with serious drawbacks.
| Aspect | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Data Sync | Seamless access across devices | No personal separation between users |
| Purchases | Saves money | App clutter and confusion |
| iCloud Storage | Centralized management | Competing for limited space |
| Messages & Calls | Accessible from all devices | No privacy |
| Device Management | Easy tracking | Hard to reset/sell individual devices |
Advantages of Using the Same Apple ID
- Seamless Syncing – All devices share iCloud data (photos, contacts, notes, calendars, Safari history), making it easy for one person to keep everything in sync.
- Shared Purchases – Apps, music, movies, and books bought under one Apple ID are available on all devices, saving money on duplicates.
- Device Tracking – All devices appear in Find My, making it simple to locate or track them.
Disadvantages of Using the Same Apple ID
- Privacy Issues – Messages, calls, photos, browsing history, and even location are visible on all devices, exposing private information.
- Data Confusion – Contacts, calendars, and notes merge, leading to clutter and accidental changes across devices.
- Limited iCloud Storage – All devices use the same storage quota; one heavy user can quickly fill the space.
- Resale and Upgrade Problems – Activation Lock ties devices to the shared Apple ID, complicating sales, resets, or transfers.
See Also: Part 2. 6 Solutions to Unlink Two iPhones with Same Apple ID
The good news is that unlinking two iPhones with the same Apple ID is entirely possible. Before that, make sure each device has its own backup to avoid accidental data loss. You can go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now, or use iTunes/Finder on a computer for a local backup.
Now follow the instructions below to separate two phones on same Apple ID.
| Method | Requires Password? | Works Remotely? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Settings | ✅ | ❌ | You have the device in hand |
| 2️⃣ Apple ID Remover | ❌ | ❌ | Forgot Apple ID and password |
| 3️⃣ iTunes/Apple Music | ✅ | ❌ | iTunes app or Apple Music app pre-installed |
| 4️⃣ iCloud.com | ✅ | ✅ | You don’t have the device |
| 5️⃣ Find My App | ✅ | ✅ | You have another Apple device |
| 6️⃣ Apple Website | ✅ | ✅ | Two-factor authentication enabled |
Solution 1. From Settings
The first method to unlink two iPhones with the same Apple ID is to remove the unwanted iPhone from Settings. Once you have removed an iPhone from your Apple ID account, all the data and content will stop syncing. And you will not see the iPhone on your Apple device list.
- Apple ID password.
- Your iPhones are in hand.
You can follow the steps below to remove and unlink the iPhones from Settings with your Apple ID password.
On iPhone/iPad:
Step 1. Go back to the Home page on your iPhone and open the Settings app.
Step 2. Click on the Apple ID profile.
Step 3. Scroll down and find the iPhone that you want to remove from your Apple ID.
Step 4. Click on the Remove from Account option to unlink this iPhone from your Apple ID. Hit on the Remove option in the popup window.
On Mac:
Step 1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences.
Step 2. Click on Apple ID (or your profile name).
Step 3. In the Apple ID window, you'll see a list of devices linked to your Apple ID.
Step 4. Find the iPhone you want to unlink, click on it, and then click Remove from Account. You may need to confirm this action by clicking Remove again.
Solution 2. Use TunesKit Apple ID Removal [100% Working]
If you don't know the Apple ID or password, there is still a workable solution for you to unlink two iPhones with same Apple ID. Here, I would like to recommend a powerful Apple ID removal named TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.
It allows users to remove an Apple ID from iOS device without using Apple ID or password. Besides, in other situations like forgot Apple ID password, Apple ID not verify, or Apple ID password not working, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker can always perform well.
Besides, this multifunctional iOS unlocking program has various powerful features including unlocking iOS lock screen, unlocking Screen Time passcode, and removing MDM restrictions. With the concise and user-friendly interface, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker does not require any expert skills.
- TunesKit iPhone Unlocker;
- A Windows or Mac computer.
Next, let's learn how to unlink two iPhones with the same Apple ID by using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.
Step 1Connect iPhone to Computer
Download and install TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your PC or Mac computer. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer and select the Unlock Apple ID option.
Step 2Check Device Status
Here you will need to check the device status. If the Find My iPhone feature is enabled on your iPhone, check that the screen lock and two-factor authentication are enabled on your iPhone.
If the Find My iPhone is disabled on your iPhone, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to unlock the Apple ID from your iOS device directly.
Step 3Download Firmware Package
Then, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to download the firmware package to remove the Apple ID on your iPhone. Before downloading, please ensure that the onscreen information is correct. If not, you can correct it manually and then click on the Download button to download the firmware package.
Step 4Unlink Two iPhones with Same Apple ID
After downloading the firmware package, click the Unlock button and TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to remove the Apple ID from your iOS device. And your iPhone will not be linked to the Apple ID.
Solution 3. Use iTunes/Apple Music
If you have a computer and have iTunes installed, using iTunes to unlink two iPhones is a feasible way as well. For Mac users, please use Apple Music app or Apple TV app instead.
- Apple ID password;
- iTunes app or Apple Music app pre-installed;
- A Windows or Mac computer.
The following steps will show you the how-to.
On Windows:
Step 1. Download and install iTunes on your Windows computer. Then, sign in to your Apple ID account.
Step 2. Hit on the Account option from the top toolbar.
Step 3. Select the View My Account option.
Step 4. Hit on the Manage Devices. And in this phase, you will see a list of iOS devices that are linked to your Apple ID. Hit on the Remove option to remove the device from your iPhone.
Step 5. After removal, click on the Done button.
On Mac:
Step 1. Open the Apple Music app on your Mac.
Step 2. Click on the Apple menu and select Account > Account Settings.
Step 3. Enter your Apple ID and password to sign in to your Apple Account.
Step 4. Click Manage Linked Devices. Find the iPhone you want to separate, and click Remove.
Solution 4. Through iCloud Website
The last resort you can take to unlink two iPhones with same Apple ID is to use iCloud. However, using iCloud to unlink Apple ID on iPhone will erase all the data and content on the device. If you don't want to lose anything from your iOS device, backing up the device can be a wise choice.
- Apple ID password;
- Find My enabled;
- Two-factor authentication enabled.
You can follow the below steps to remove iOS device from Apple ID via iCloud.
Step 1. Open a browser and go to the iCloud.com website.
Step 2. Select the Find My feature.
Step 3. Click on the All Devices option the find the iPhone that you want to unlink from the dropdown menu.
Step 4. Click on the Remove from Account option to unlink the iOS device from Apple ID.
Solution 5. Use Find My App
The Find My app is a service provided by Apple that helps you locate and manage your Apple devices. When your Apple device is lost or stolen, you can track its location, but also erase it remotely to protect your data. This feature allows you to unlink two iPhones with the same Apple ID.
- Apple ID password;
- Find My enabled.
To do it, please follow the simple steps below.
Step 1. On one of the iPhones, open the Find My app.
Step 2. Tap the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen. Find the iPhone you want to unlink from the list and tap on it.
Step 3. Scroll down and tap Remove This Device.
Step 4. Tap Remove to confirm the removal by entering your Apple ID password. This will unlink the two iPhones, and they will no longer share the same Apple ID.
Solution 6. Through Apple ID Website
The Apple ID website is a platform where you can manage your Apple account. You can review and update important information like your name, password, and security details. Plus, you can view and manage the devices linked to your Apple ID.
- Apple ID password;
- Two-factor authentication enabled.
To unlink two iPhones using the same Apple ID through account.apple.com, follow these steps.
Step 1. Go to the Apple ID website and log in with your Apple ID credentials.
Step 2. Click on the Devices section to see all the devices linked to your Apple ID.
Step 3. Locate the iPhone you want to unlink from the list. Click on Remove from Account next to the device. You may need to confirm this action by clicking Remove from Account again.
Step 4. On the iPhone you want to unlink, go to Settings > [your name], scroll down, and tap Sign Out. You'll need to enter your Apple ID password to complete this step.
Part 3. FAQs about Two iPhones One Apple ID
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Q1. What happens if two phones have the same Apple ID?
When two phones use the same Apple ID, they share data like contacts, calendars, reminders, photos, and even messages. Both devices will also have access to all purchased apps, music, and other content from the Apple ID.
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Q2. What are 2 iPhones 1 Apple ID problems?
Here are some potential issues if you using the same Apple ID on two different iPhones.
1. Each device will attempt to apply personalized settings like wallpaper, ringtones, and app layout from the same Apple ID, potentially causing conflicts.
2. If you use iCloud for backups, both devices will share the same iCloud storage, which could quickly lead to storage limitations.
3. If one device is compromised or lost, it could put the security of the Apple ID at risk, affecting both devices. -
Q3. Will data be lost when you unlink?
Only the data synced via iCloud may be removed depending on your choices when signing out. Local data like photos or contacts can be kept if selected.
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Q4. What happens to purchases after unlinking?
Apps and media purchased under the shared Apple ID remain, but future purchases won't sync.
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Q5. Is it better to use Family Sharing than the same Apple ID?
Absolutely, yes. Family Sharing feature allows multiple Apple IDs to share purchases, subscriptions, and services while maintaining separate accounts and personal data.
For a more individualized experience, use separate Apple IDs for each device. This will keep your data and notifications separate and better protect your privacy.
Part 4. Conclusion
That's easy to unlink two iPhones with same Apple ID by using the 6 solutions above. Each methods have its advantages and requirements. If you know the Apple ID password, you can try to unlink them from Settings. This would be the simplest way.
However, if you can't remember the Apple ID password, it is well-recommended to use TunesKit iPhone Unlocker. This tool will help you remove the Apple ID account completely, along with the password. Fortunately, your data will not lose as well. If you are still having other Apple ID problem or iOS unlocking problem, please feel free to leave us a comment below.
