As the title suggests, I am wondering whether it's possible to have a mac running and working as normal without an iCloud account? What implications would that have?
Grateful for any comments. thanks
MacBook
Yes, No iCloud syncing, no eMail account from Apple, maybe annoying Notifications once in awhile. can't think of anybig drawbacks.
Yes, you can setup without an Apple id. However, all app updates through the app store need an apple id. MacOS updates dont need Apple id.
You need to sign into the App Store in order to purchase or download software. You sign into Music to purchase and download music, and other items related to the Music app. Each of these is of course your Apple ID and password.
System updates do not require you to be signed in at all. I never have iCloud in the System Preferences signed in.
Absolutely.
In today's age of extremely cheap storage, why anyone would want to run their personal computer off of a remote server has yet to dawn on me.
To install any official OS/app updates from the built in App Store though, one would need to log in to the App Store as the Man likes to track who's up on his kool-aid. Cheers!
Are you planning on staying on High Sierra? AppleID is needed for the App Store; and anything ICloud related. If you want to upgrade to Catalina, it has to done through the appstore.
Also, you can always OS updates through apple.com by downloading the update packages.
Thanks very much for your replies BD. I have used Mac Mail and iCloud addresses for years, just feel like a change so I may give this a whirl. What about apps/updates? I wonder if those are available without iCloud account. I could go and find out i suppose!
I don't buy anything in app store, wish I could get rid of it to be honest. That's interesting thanks - so you can have an Apple ID for the STORE login, but leave your sys prefs not logged in? That's a new one on me, and a nice idea thanks!
Oh ****! sorry. Please replace all my uses of the phrase "iCloud" with "apple ID"! I meant can i use a machine without logging into an apple id;
Interesting, thanks. And am I right in thinking an AppleID need only consist of an email address which I can access?
hahaha. totally :)
thanks
PS If i do need an account for updates then I guess I could just use a semi-burner email which I only use for that purpose.
Updates only require an Apple ID, no iCloud that I can think of.
You don't need to sign into the App Store or Music. Just ignore them if you don't plan to ever make purchases from either.
Can I use a mac without iCloud account?
