10 Solutions to Fix Wrong Apple ID When Updating Apps

Hey there! I need help. While updating apps on my iPhone, a wrong Apple ID pops up. I don't know who owns this Apple ID and the correct passcode. I try to sign out of App Store and force restart my iPhone, but the incorrect Apple ID keeps popping up when I try to update some apps. What should I do to fix this problem? - Mike from Reddit

Most iOS users regularly update their apps to access new features and bug fixes. But sometimes, a frustrating issue pops up, just like Mike. Instead of updating, the App Store suddenly asks for an Apple ID you don't recognize. And without the correct password, the update won't go through. Worse? Some apps won't work at all until they're updated.

If your iPhone keeps asking for the wrong Apple ID when updating apps, don't worry — you're not alone, and this guide is here to help. Read on to learn why this happens and how to fix it for good.

Part 1. Why Is My App Store Asking for a Different Apple ID?

The App Store is asking for that old or wrong Apple ID for one simple reason: An app on your iPhone was downloaded or purchased using that specific Apple ID.

Think of it like a deed to a house. Each app has a digital "deed" that permanently ties it to the Apple ID that originally acquired it. It doesn't matter if you're signed into your new Apple ID everywhere else on your phone. To update that specific app, the App Store needs proof of ownership from the original account.

So, why would an app be tied to the wrong account?

• You used a different Apple ID in the past and downloaded apps with it.
• You bought a used iPhone, and the previous owner didn't wipe it properly.
• A family member used your phone to download an app with their account.
• You're part of a Family Sharing group, and the app was purchased by the family organizer or another member.

Part 2. Top 10 Solutions to Fix Wrong Apple ID When Updating Apps

We'll start with the simplest solutions and work our way to the ones that are guaranteed to fix the problem permanently.

Solution 1. Sign out and Back in

Before you do anything drastic, let's try the classic "turn it off and on again" approach for the App Store. Sometimes, your phone's authentication token just needs a quick refresh. This is a specific sign-out for the App Store itself, not your entire iCloud account.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Tap your name at the very top of the screen.
Step 3. Tap on Media & Purchases. A small menu will pop up.
Step 4. Tap Sign Out. This will log you out of the App Store and other media services.
Step 5. Tap Media & Purchases again. This time, sign back in with your correct Apple ID and password. Now, go back to the App Store and try updating your apps again.

Solution 2. Check Your Family Sharing Settings

If you are part of an Apple Family Sharing group, the purchase might be tied to the Family Organizer's account. This can sometimes cause a conflict. A quick fix is to temporarily turn off purchase sharing.

Step 1. Go to Settings and tap your name.
Step 2. Tap Family Sharing, then tap Purchase Sharing.
Step 3. Tap Stop Purchase Sharing. Try updating the app again. You can always turn this feature back on later.

Solution 3. Check for Stuck Downloads

Sometimes, the issue isn't an old app but a current app that got stuck while downloading or updating. This can put the App Store in a weird state where it keeps prompting for a password.

Step 1. Look at your Home Screen. Do you see any apps that are darkened, grayed out, or say "Waiting..." underneath them?
Step 2. If you find one, tap on it to try and resume the download. If that doesn't work, long-press the app icon and choose Cancel Download. Once you've cleared any stuck apps, try updating again.

Solution 4. Update iOS Version

Sometimes, the wrong Apple ID when updating apps problem will appear frequently if you are using an outdated iOS version. Therefore, you can try to update your iOS version to the latest. You can update the iOS version from your phone directly, or connect your iPhone to iTunes and update it from computer. If you don't know how to make it, you can follow the steps below.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Select the General option.
Step 3. Click on the Software Update and update your iOS version to the latest.

Solution 5. Uninstall Apps from iPhone and Install Again

The best solution to stop the wrong Apple ID when updating apps is to uninstall the apps that are purchased through the former owner's Apple ID. After that, you can go to the App Store and and reinstalling them with your current, correct Apple ID. Here's how to do it.

Step 1. Find the problem app on your Home Screen. Usually, it's the one that won't update. If you don't know which app is causing the issue, you may have to do this for several apps until you find the culprit.
Step 2. Press and hold the app's icon until a menu appears.
Step 3. Tap Remove App, and then confirm by tapping Delete App. This will completely uninstall it.
Step 4. Open the App Store.
Step 5. Search for the app you just deleted and tap the cloud icon (or "Get" button) to download it again. This time, the app will be downloaded under your current Apple ID.

Solution 6. Reset All Settings

This is anther option to fix wrong Apple ID in app store issue. It won't delete your data, apps, or photos. However, it will reset all your system settings to their defaults. This includes Wi-Fi passwords, notification settings, screen brightness, and wallpaper. It's a bit of a hassle, but it can clear out underlying system conflicts causing the App Store issue.

Step 1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 2. Tap Reset.
Step 3. On the pop-up menu, select Reset All Settings. Enter your passcode to confirm.
After your iPhone restarts, you will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords and reconfigure a few other settings, but the Apple ID problem will likely be gone.

Solution 7. Erase All Content and Settings

If the wrong Apple ID issue is showing up on multiple apps (and you just bought the phone from someone else), a full factory reset might be necessary. This will delete everything on your iPhone. So, please back up your data first. To factory reset your device, you can follow the quick steps below.

Step 1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 2.Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
Step 3.Set up the iPhone again with your own Apple ID.

Solution 8. Remove Apple ID from iPhone to Fix Wrong Apple ID When Updating Apps

Users can also get rid of the wrong Apple ID when updating apps by removing Apple ID on the iOS device. This is particularly helpful when you don't know the Apple Account password. Here, I will strongly recommend TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to you.

TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is a well-established Apple ID removal that can help users remove Apple ID from iOS devices without entering any password. Besides, it can help users unlock disabled iPhone, bypass MDM restrictions, and remove Screen Time. This program is safe and easy to use. Anyone can easily handle it within several simple clicks.

Now, let's see how to remove Apple ID from iPhone to fix wrong Apple ID when updating apps by using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1Connect iPhone to Computer

Download and install TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your computer. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer. Select the Remove Apple ID option on TunesKit iPhone Unlocker and then hit on the Start button.

Step 2Check Device Status

If the iOS version on your iPhone is iOS 13 or earlier, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will remove the Apple ID from your device directly. If the iOS version on your iPhone is iOS 14 or later, you will need to download a firmware package to remove the Apple ID from your iPhone, but all your iPhone data and content will be erased.

Step 3Download Firmware Package

Then, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will download the firmware package to fix the problem on your iPhone. Please correct the wrong onscreen information, and then click on the Download button.

Step 4Fix Wrong Apple ID When Updating Apps

Now, click Unlock button and TunesKit will start to remove the Apple ID from your device and fix the App Store showing wrong Apple ID issue. After removing the incorrect Apple ID, set up your iPhone again and the problem will not exist again.

Solution 9. Remove Apple ID via iTunes

To remove the Apple ID from your iOS device, using iTunes is a wise and simple choice. Using iTunes to restore your iPhone will erase everything on your iPhone including the Apple ID and downloaded apps. If there is something important on your iPhone, you can use the iTunes built-in feature to back up your iPhone first. After restoration, you can restore the backup file and you will not lose any data. Now following the below steps to fix the wrong Apple Account on App Store issue.

Step 1. Install and launch iTunes on your computer. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer.
Step 2. When iTunes detects your iPhone, click on the little device icon.
Step 3. Hit on the Summary option.
Step 4. Click on the Restore iPhone option to remove the Apple ID from your iPhone.

Solution 10. Remove Apple ID via iCloud

If you cannot connect your iPhone to iTunes, you can also try using iCloud to wipe your iPhone remotely. To use iCloud to wipe your iPhone, the Find My iPhone feature should be enabled on your iPhone, and you will need to know the Apple ID and password. Let's see how to do it by using iCloud.

Step 1. Launch a browser on your iPhone and go to the iCloud.com website. Log into your Apple ID account.
Step 2. Select the Find My iPhone feature.
Step 3. Click on the All Devices button and select the iPhone that you would like to remove the Apple ID from.
Step 4. Hit on the Erase iPhone button to erase the iPhone to remove the Apple ID from iOS device.

Part 3. FAQs About Wrong Apple ID when Updating Apps

Let's quickly hit the most common questions around this issue.

Part 4. Summary

It is always a troublesome problem when you need to update apps but the incorrect Apple ID pops up. Now you konw how to fix it effectively. To remove the Apple ID from iPhone without password, using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is the best-recommended choice. If you have other questions, please feel free to leave us a comment below.