Apple has launched a new Data and Privacy website that enables users to request a re-create of all of the information associated with their Apple tree ID accounts that the company maintains on its servers. The page too provides options to delete or deactivate an Apple ID by post-obit the step-past-step instructions outlined below.

apple id account delete deactivate
While whatever customer anywhere can delete an Apple ID account, Apple says the ability to deactivate an Apple ID account is limited to accounts with locations set in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Apple intends to roll out the deactivation option around the globe "in the coming months."

Keep in mind that deleting an Apple ID account and whatever associated data is a permanent, irreversible* action. Subsequently your account is deleted, Apple tin can't reopen or reactivate your business relationship or restore any of your information, and y'all will no longer be able to access any of the content and services listed beneath.

  • Photos, videos, documents, and other content that y'all stored in iCloud are permanently deleted
  • Y'all will no longer receive whatever letters or calls sent to your account via iMessage, FaceTime, or iCloud Post
  • You lot will no longer exist able to sign in to or employ services such every bit iCloud, the App Store, iTunes Store, iBooks Shop, Apple Pay, iMessage, FaceTime, and Find My iPhone
  • Your paid iCloud storage plans if any will be canceled
  • Any remaining Apple tree Shop appointments and back up cases are canceled, but any AppleCare plans you may have purchased remain valid

Content without Digital Rights Direction, such as iTunes music purchases, continue working normally when your account is deleted or deactivated. However, whatsoever DRM-gratis content stored in iCloud Music Library isn't accessible or playable.

If y'all aren't planning to utilise your Apple ID for now, just may in the hereafter, Apple tree recommends temporarily deactivating your account where possible instead of deleting it. Apple tree IDs can be reactivated by contacting Apple Support and providing the unique access code received during deactivation.

Apple also recommends that you take the following steps before you request deletion or deactivation of your account:

  • Back upwards the data that y'all store in iCloud, including content for any Apple or third-party apps that store data using iCloud
  • Download any DRM-gratuitous purchases, iTunes Match tracks that you lot don't take copies of, and any other music and media
  • Review any agile subscriptions, every bit whatever remaining subscriptions are canceled at the end of their billing cycles, even during deactivation
  • Save copies of any Apple-related information that you lot currently demand or expect to demand
  • Sign out of all your devices to avoid bug with apps that use your Apple ID business relationship or iCloud. If your account is deleted, you can't sign out of iCloud or turn off Find My iPhone Activation Lock on your devices. If you forget to sign out, you might non exist able to utilise your device when your account is deleted.

How to Delete Your Apple ID Account

  1. Open a web browser on your Mac, PC, or iPad, and navigate to privacy.apple.com. The option is not available on iPhone.
  2. Enter your Apple ID email and password. Reply any security questions or authorize two-factor authentication on another device if prompted.
    get a copy of your apple data
  3. On the Apple ID & Privacy folio, select Continue.
    get a copy of your apple data5
  4. Under Delete Your Account, select Get Started.
    delete get started
  5. Select a reason for deleting your account from the dropdown card, such as "prefer non to say," and select Continue.
    account deletion reason
  6. Review the checklist of important things to know before deleting your business relationship and select Continue.
    account deletion first checklist
  7. Review the deletion terms and weather condition, cheque off the read and agree box, and select Continue.
    account deletion terms
  8. Choose how to receive business relationship status updates: the email used to create the Apple ID, a different electronic mail accost, or by phone. Then select Proceed.
    how to reach
  9. Print, download, or write downwardly the unique access code, which is needed to contact Apple Support regarding your asking, including if y'all wish to modify your mind virtually deleting the account for a short period after the request is submitted. Then select Continue.
    deletion write down code
  10. Enter the access code to ostend that y'all have received information technology. Then select Keep.
    enter code to continue
  11. Review the list of important details i more time and select Delete Account.
    delete account red button
  12. Apple will confirm it is working on deleting your business relationship on the website and in an email. Apple tree says the process may take upwards to 7 days. Your account will remain active while verification is in progress.
    working on deleting
  13. Remember to sign out of the Apple tree ID on all devices and spider web browsers before the account is deleted.

How to Deactivate Your Apple ID Account

  1. Open a web browser on your Mac, PC, or iPad, and navigate to privacy.apple.com. The option is non available on iPhone.
  2. Enter your Apple ID e-mail and password. Answer any security questions or authorize two-cistron hallmark on some other device if prompted.
    get a copy of your apple data
  3. On the Apple ID & Privacy page, click Proceed.
    get a copy of your apple data5
  4. Under Conciliate Your Account, select Get Started.
    deactivate get started
  5. Select a reason for deactivating your account from the dropdown menu, such as "prefer not to say," and select Go along.
  6. Review the checklist of important things to know before deactivating your business relationship and select Continue.
  7. Review the deactivation terms and atmospheric condition, check off the read and agree box, and select Go along.
    deactivation terms
  8. Choose how to receive account condition updates: the email used to create the Apple ID, a different electronic mail address, or by phone. Then select Continue.
    how to reach
  9. Print, download, or write down the unique access code, which is needed to contact Apple Support regarding your asking, including if you wish to reactivate your account at any time. So select Keep.
    deactivate code
  10. Enter the access code to confirm that you take received information technology. So select Proceed.
    enter code to continue
  11. Review the important details 1 more time and select Conciliate Account.
    deactivate red button
  12. Apple tree will confirm it is working on deactivating your account on the website and in an email. Apple says the process may have upwardly to 7 days. Your business relationship will remain active while verification is in progress.
    working on deactivation
  13. Remember to sign out of the Apple ID on all devices and web browsers before the business relationship is deactivated.

These new options satisfy the requirements of the European Union'south new Full general Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), enforceable starting May 25, but Apple plans to brand them bachelor around the world.

* For a brusque time, you can enter a unique admission code provided by Apple during the deletion process should y'all change your mind well-nigh deleting your account. Apple volition notify you when your account has been irreversibly deleted.

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