You can change your Apple ID on an iPad through Settings, but the process depends on whether you want to switch to a different Apple ID or remove the current one

The steps differ based on what you're trying to do. If you want to sign out of your current Apple ID and sign in with a different one, you go through the iCloud settings. If you want to change the email address associated with your existing Apple ID without signing out, that happens in your Apple ID account settings on a web browser. Both paths take about five to ten minutes, but they accomplish different things.

Before you start, know that signing out of your Apple ID will remove access to iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services on that iPad until you sign back in. If you have iCloud backups or purchases tied to that ID, you'll need to decide whether to keep them or delete them from the device.

Key Takeaways

  • Signing out of your Apple ID and signing in with a different one happens in Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, then you sign in with the new ID.
  • Changing the email address on your existing Apple ID requires going to appleid.apple.com in a web browser, not through the iPad Settings app.
  • When you sign out, you can choose to keep or delete iCloud data stored on the iPad, but this does not affect data stored in iCloud itself.
  • If you forget your Apple ID password, you can reset it through the Apple ID website before attempting to sign in on your iPad.

How to sign out and sign in with a different Apple ID

Open Settings on your iPad and tap your name at the top of the screen. Scroll down and tap Sign Out. You'll be asked whether to keep or remove a copy of your iCloud data on the device — choose based on whether you want that data to stay on the iPad or be deleted. Enter your Apple ID password to confirm the sign-out.

Once you've signed out, go back to Settings, tap Sign In to [Device], and enter the email address and password for the Apple ID you want to use instead. You may be asked to verify your identity through two-factor authentication, which means Apple will send a code to a trusted device or phone number associated with that Apple ID. Enter the code when prompted, and you're done.

After signing in with the new Apple ID, your iPad will sync with that account's iCloud, App Store purchases, and other services. This can take a few minutes depending on how much data needs to sync.

How to change the email address on your current Apple ID

If you want to keep using the same Apple ID but change its email address, you cannot do this in the iPad Settings app. Instead, go to appleid.apple.com on any web browser and sign in with your current Apple ID credentials.

Once you're logged in, click Account Settings, then look for the section labeled "Account" or "Contact Information." You'll see your current email address listed as your Apple ID. Click Edit next to it, then enter the new email address you want to use. Apple will send a verification code to both your old and new email addresses — you'll need to confirm the code from both to complete the change.

After you've changed your Apple ID email address on the web, your iPad will continue to work without any action needed on your part. The next time you sign out and back in, or if you need to verify your identity, you'll use the new email address.

What happens to your apps and data when you switch Apple IDs

Apps you purchased with your old Apple ID will remain on your iPad, but you won't receive updates for them unless you sign back in with that ID or repurchase them with your new ID. Some apps may stop working or show an error if they're tied to the old Apple ID's licensing.

iCloud data like photos, documents, and backups are tied to the Apple ID that created them. When you sign out, you can keep a local copy on the iPad, but that copy won't sync to iCloud anymore. If you sign in with a different Apple ID, that iPad will start syncing to the new account's iCloud instead.

Subscriptions you have through the App Store or Apple services are tied to the Apple ID that purchased them. If you switch to a different Apple ID, those subscriptions won't transfer — you'd need to cancel them on the old account and purchase them again on the new one if you want to keep them.

Signing out when you've forgotten your password

If you don't remember the password for your current Apple ID, you can still sign out, but you'll need to reset the password first. Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID email address, then follow the steps to reset your password through email or security questions.

Once you've reset your password, return to Settings on your iPad, tap your name, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. You'll be prompted to enter your Apple ID password — use the new password you just created. After that, you can sign in with a different Apple ID if you want.

Two-factor authentication and signing in with a new ID

If your new Apple ID has two-factor authentication turned on, you'll need access to a trusted device or phone number to complete the sign-in. Apple will send a verification code to one of those trusted contacts, and you'll need to enter it on your iPad to finish signing in.

If you don't have access to any trusted devices or phone numbers, you can verify your identity using your recovery key instead. This is a 28-character code you should have saved when you first set up two-factor authentication. If you don't have your recovery key, you can generate a new one by signing into appleid.apple.com on a computer or browser where you're already signed in.

Removing an Apple ID from a shared iPad

If multiple people use the same iPad, each person can have their own Apple ID. To remove someone else's Apple ID from the device, go to Settings > [Their Name] > Sign Out. You'll need that person's password to complete the sign-out, or you can use the device's Screen Time passcode if one is set up.

If you're the device owner and need to remove an Apple ID without the password, you can erase the iPad entirely and set it up again. This removes all accounts and data, so only do this if you're certain you want to start fresh. Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my photos and documents if I change my Apple ID?

Photos and documents stored in iCloud are tied to your Apple ID and will remain in that account's iCloud even after you sign out of your iPad. If you want to keep a copy on the device, choose "Keep on My iPad" when you sign out. Photos and documents stored only on the device itself won't be affected by changing your Apple ID.

Can I use two different Apple IDs on the same iPad at the same time?

No, only one Apple ID can be signed into iCloud and the App Store at a time on an iPad. However, you can create multiple user accounts on an iPad if it's running iPadOS 13.5 or later, and each account can have its own Apple ID. This is different from signing out and signing in — it lets multiple people use the same device with separate accounts.

What if I see a message saying I can't sign out because of Screen Time?

Screen Time restrictions can prevent sign-out if they're set up by a parent or guardian. Ask whoever set up Screen Time to either disable it or allow you to sign out. If you're the one who set it up and forgot the passcode, you'll need to erase the iPad and set it up again.

Do I need to change my Apple ID on my other devices too?

No. Each device can have a different Apple ID, or you can keep the same one across all your devices. Changing it on your iPad doesn't affect your iPhone, Mac, or other devices unless you sign out and sign in on those devices separately.

How long does it take for my new Apple ID to sync on my iPad?

Initial syncing usually takes a few minutes, but it depends on how much data your new Apple ID has in iCloud and your internet speed. If you have a large photo library or many documents, it may take longer. You can continue using your iPad while syncing happens in the background.