iPhone Is Asking for the Wrong Apple ID? Here's How to Fix

Part of the setup process when setting up a new iPhone is to sign in to the device using your Apple ID and password. But some users have reported that the iPhone can ask for passwords for someone else’s Apple ID.

If this is what is happening, you may worry that this wrong Apple ID may have been used to purchase apps, music, movies, and TV shows on our device. Unfortunately, there is no way to link content to any particular Apple. If an app, song, movie, or TV show won’t play then it was likely purchased using a different Apple ID.

But you can stop your iPhone from asking for the wrong Apple ID. This article will explain how you can do that.

Why Your iPhone Is Asking for the Wrong Apple ID?

Before we look at how you can fix this problem, it is important to understand why your iPhone is asking for the wrong Apple ID. The most common reasons include;

• You or someone else with access to the iPhone may have purchased some content from the App Store using a different Apple ID.
• Your device was likely Activation Locked and was unlocked using an IMEI bypass software or service.
• You or someone with access to the device may have entered the wrong Apple ID on the device.
• If this is a second-hand iPhone and you saw the Home Screen as soon as you turned on the device, then it may still be linked to the previous owner’s Apple ID.

How to Fix iPhone Asking for the Wrong Apple ID Issue

The following are some of the best ways to resolve this issue;

1. Log Out of Apple ID and Log In with Your Own

If the Apple ID you are seeing on the device belongs to someone you know, then there is a chance that you may be able to access the device by asking them to sign in to the device for you.

Once they have entered their password and you have access to your device, you can simply remove their Apple ID from the device to solve the problem.

To do that, just open the Settings app, tap on your user avatar and then select “Sign Out”. Then simply sign in with your own Apple ID and password and the device will no longer ask for the wrong Apple ID.

This method will only be useful to you if you know the password for the Apple ID your device is asking for or at least know to who the Apple ID belongs. If you can’t find the password, you may find it hard to sign out of that Apple ID. But there are ways around that; just keep reading.

2. Force Restart Your Device

Force restarting your device will help if the problem is caused by temporary software errors. It is, therefore, worth a try, before attempting any more invasive solutions. Here’s how to force restart your device;

• For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the Home and the Power buttons until the Apple logo appears.

• For iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold down the Side and the Volume Down buttons at the same time until the Apple logo appears.

• For iPhone 8 and later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, and press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.

3. Uninstall Suspicious Apps

You may not be able to identify the apps that were purchased using the wrong Apple ID, but if some apps are misbehaving or refusing to open, they may be linked to the wrong Apple ID.

Once you identify these apps, you can uninstall them from the device and restart the device to see if this will get rid of the wrong Apple ID.

4. Remove Apple ID by Resetting iPhone

Resetting the device may also be a good way to remove the wrong Apple ID from your iPhone. This is because by resetting the iPhone you delete all data and settings on it, including the Apple ID. Here’s how to do it;

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone
• Tap “General > Reset”.
• Then select “Erase All Contents and Settings”.
• Enter the device’s passcode when prompted and when the process is complete, you will be able to set up the device as new and sign in with your own Apple ID.

The downside of this method is that you will lose all the data on the device. Any backups you may have created while still signed in to the old Apple ID will not help because they will just restore the Apple ID.

5. Update the iOS Version

If you are using an outdated version of iOS on your device, you are likely to experience a lot of issues with the function of the device, including your iPhone asking for the wrong Apple ID.

To update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any updates that may be available.

6. Remove the Wrong Apple ID with FoneGeek Tool

Of course, you can only gain access to the device settings if you can get the password for the wrong Apple ID. If you have no way of getting the password, you need an alternative way to remove the wrong Apple ID from your iPhone without the password.

One of the best tools for the job is FoneGeek iPhone Passcode Unlocker. It is a simple to use and highly effective solution that will help you resolve this issue once and for all. The following are some of its most notable features;

• It will very easily remove the wrong Apple ID or App Store even if you don’t have the password.
• It completely removes the link between your device and the Apple ID so no one can use it to track or erase the device remotely.
• It is also one of the best tools to unlock all kinds of screen locks and restrictions.
• It has a very simple user interface, allowing you to unlock your device in a few simple steps.

Here’s how to use FoneGeek to remove the wrong Apple ID from your iPhone:

Step 1: Open FoneGeek Password Unlocker on your Mac or PC and use a USB cable to connect the iPhone to the computer.

Step 2: On the main screen, select “Unlock Apple ID”.

Step 3: The program will detect the device. When this happens, click on “Start Unlock” and FoneGeek will immediately begin unlocking the device.

But if Find my iPhone is enabled on your device, you will need to “Reset All Settings” on the iPhone first.

When the process is complete, you will be able to sign in with your Apple ID and your iPhone will no longer ask for the wrong Apple ID.

Conclusion

Now you know what to do when your iPhone asks for the wrong Apple ID. Share any comments or questions you may have on this topic and we’ll do our best to help.