[SOLVED] Can't Sign Out of Apple ID on iPhone
by Sophie Green Updated on 2020-10-22 / Update for Apple ID
I'm trying to release my son's iPhone but the Sign Out button in Settings>Apple ID is greyed out and there is a text ‘Sign-out is not available due to restrictions’."
If you are giving your iPhone away to someone, you will need the ability to remove your Apple ID from your device. Unfortunately, there are situations that can cause you issues like can't sign out of Apple ID on iPhone. Because of these issues, you cannot remove your Apple ID from your iPhone and so your device remains tied to your account.
There are many reasons why you can't sign out of Apple ID on your iOS-based device and this guide tells you those reasons. It also shows what you can do to successfully log-out from iCloud on your iPhone so that your phone can be given away to someone and so that they can use it with their own account.
- Part 1. Common Issues of "Can't Sign Out of Apple ID on iPhone"
- Part 2. How to Fix Can't Sign Out of Apple ID on iPhone
- Part 3. All Failed? Remove Apple ID on iPhone with 4uKey!
Part 1. Common Issues of "Can't Sign Out of Apple ID on iPhone"
There are some reasons that are common to most users who can't sign out of Apple ID Mac xname on their devices. The following are those reasons.
"Sign Out" is Grayed Out at Apple ID Section
Head to Settings > iCloud on your device, you find that the Sign Out button is greyed out and there is a text "Sign-out is not available due to restrictions".
Get stuck on Signing out of Apple ID
When you click "sign out" to sign out Apple ID, the spinning symbol appears to indicate that it's working on it, but it never stops.
You can’t sign out your Apple ID because your phone is being restored
Cannot click "sign out" to sign out Apple ID and get the error message "you can't sign out your Apple ID because your phone is being restored."
Verification Failed - There was an error connecting to iCloud
After entering password to sign out of iCloud on iPhone, a message comes up stating "Verification Failed - There was an error connecting to iCloud".
That should tell you why can't I sign out of my Apple ID on my iPad?. No matter why you can't sign out of Apple ID, try the tips below to fix.
Part 2. How to Fix Can't Sign Out of Apple ID on iPhone
Now that you know why can't I sign out of my Apple ID on my iPhone, you will probably want to find out how you can resolve this issue on your phone. Luckily, there are several methods to get around the issue and the following are some of those methods for you.
1. Force Restart Your iPhone
One of the things you need to do is to force reboot your iPhone. A force restart could fix many small iOS glitch that may lead you cannot sign out of Apple ID.
Force restart iPhone 12/11/X/XS:
- Press the Volume Up button and let it go.
- Press the Volume Down button and release it.
- Press and hold down the Side button.
Force restart iPhone 7/7 Plus
- Press and hold down the Volume Down and Wake buttons at the same time.
- Release the buttons when your iPhone boots-up.
Force restart iPhone 6s/6s Plus
- Press and hold down the Sleep and Home buttons at the same time.
Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears.
2. Turn on Cellular Data
If there is an issue with your Wi-Fi, enable cellular data and use it to sign out of your Apple ID on your iPhone.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap on Mobile Data and turn on the Mobile Data toggle.
3. Check iCloud Backup Settings
Sometimes, when you tap on the Sign Out button, you may get an error message that says "You can't sign out your Apple ID because your phone is being restored.". This usually happens when you try to sign out when your iPhone is being restored.
If your iCloud backup is being restored, you need to either cancel it or let it fully restore.
Go to Settings > [name banner at top] > iCloud > iCloud Backup on your iPhone.
- Cancel or wait for it to restore your apps.
4. Check and Turn off Restrictions
Restrictions on your iPhone can sometimes disable the ability to remove an Apple ID from your iPhone. Turning Restrictions off will fix it for you.
If you are on iOS 14.1 or later, head to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and disable the option at the top.
- If you are on iOS 11 or earlier, head to Settings > General > Restrictions > Accounts and select the Allow Changes option.
5. Reset Network Settings
It is worth clearing your network settings to see if that helps your iPhone connect to the Apple servers and log you out from your Apple ID.
- Head to Settings > General > Reset on your iPhone.
Tap on the Reset Network Settings option.
6. Remove the Supervised Device Settings
If supervised settings are enabled on your iPhone, they can cause issues like cant sign out of Apple ID. You can remove these settings from your iPhone to fix the issue.
- Go to Settings > General > Reset on your iPhone.
Tap on the Erase All Content and Settings option to factory reset your device and remove the supervised settings from it.
Part 3. All Failed? Remove Apple ID on iPhone with 4uKey!
If nothing worked to remove the Apple ID from your iPhone, you can try using a third-party app that helps remove Apple IDs from iOS-based devices.
The app is called Tenorshare 4uKey and it allows you to remove your Apple ID from any of your iOS devices. You do not need to enter your login credentials to do this as it can do the job without them.
The following is how you use this app to fix the cant sign out of Apple ID on iPhone issue.
Download, install, and launch the app on your computer. Click on Unlock Apple ID.
Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable. Click on Start to start removing the Apple ID from your iPhone.
Wait while it removes the Apple ID from your iPhone. When the Apple ID is removed, you will see the following.
That is all. You have successfully logged yourself out from your iPhone.
Conclusion
If you can't sign out of Apple ID on iPhone, you cannot give away your phone to someone as they will not be able to use it. With the methods above, though, you can unlock the phone and make it usable with other people's Apple accounts.
FAQs on Signing out of Apple ID
If you have any questions regarding the whole Apple ID removal process, the following should answer the questions for you.
1. What happens if sign out of Apple ID?
If you sign out of your Apple ID, your Apple account no longer remains associated with that device. Other users can then link their own Apple ID with your device.
2. Will signing out of Apple ID delete everything?
Signing out of your Apple ID will not delete the offline files on your device. But your iCloud and other online contents will be removed from your device.
3. Why Can't I Sign out of My Apple ID?
There are various reasons why you cannot sign out of your Apple ID on your device. It can be due to a software glitch, the iCloud backup is being restored or any connection problems.