iPhone Is Asking for the Wrong Apple ID? 7 Methods to Fix

While setting up a new iPhone, you must activate the device using your Apple ID and password. However, some users have reported that their iPhones often asked 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 your device. Unfortunately, there is no way to link content to any particular Apple. If an app, song, movie, or TV show won’t play, 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 Is iPhone 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.
• If this is a second-hand iPhone and you saw the Home Screen as soon as you turned on the device, 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 see on the device belongs to someone you know, you may be able to access it by asking them to sign in to it.

Once they have entered their password and you have access to your device, you can 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 if you know the password for the Apple ID your device is asking for or at least know to whom 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  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 simultaneously  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. Remove the App When App Store Asks for Wrong Apple ID

If App Store requires the wrong Apple ID when you try to install or update an app, it’s better to uninstall the app to see if this will get rid of the wrong Apple ID.

• Keep pressing the app icon you need to uninstall until it waggles with the ‘X’ icon.
• Tap the ‘X’ icon to delete the app.
• Then, open the App Store to install this app.

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, 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. Restore iPhone with iTunes

Why not try to reinstall your iPhone system to default settings using iTunes? This may also fix this problem by restoring the device to factory settings. Here are the steps:

• Get your iPhone connected with computer.
• Double click iTunes app to open it on your computer.
• When the device button appears on the top of the window, click ‘Summary’.
• Then click on ‘Restore’ to start the process.

7. Remove the Wrong Apple ID without Password

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. The following are some of its most notable features;

• It will 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.

FAQs about Apple ID Problem

Besides the Apple ID issue, you may also be confused with other issues like below:

Q1. How to remove activation lock on iPhone?

Most iPhone users have encountered the activation issue when setting their new device. Fortunately, we can remove iCloud activation lock using DNS, iCloud and reliable 3rd-party tools.

Q2. How to reset iPhone with wrong Apple ID?

You can reset iPhone from Settings when the Apple ID is incorrect.

• Go to iPhone Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase all contents and settings.
• Enter the correct Apple ID password to reset your iPhone.

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.