Apple Intelligence now features Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools enhancements, seamless support for ChatGPT, and visual intelligence.

Apple Intelligence has also begun language expansion with localized English support for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. Learn more >

You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Can two computers be placed on one Apple ID account and remain independent of each other?

Can two computers be on one Apple ID account? Or should each computer have its' own Apple ID account? I have two MacBookPros and I would like for each devise to maintain its' own data and files and not share any information by way of the iCloud.

Thanks!

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jun 3, 2021 11:56 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 3, 2021 1:21 PM

iCloud is fundamentally a means to sync data between devices using the same AppleID. So it’s impossible to use one AppleID with iCloud on two devices and not sync things like contacts, notes, calendars, messages, etc. and of course they’d both use the exact same iCloud email account.


So you’d want separate AppleIDs for iCloud, FaceTime and messages. But you could use the same AppleID on both for purchases in the Mac Store or through any apple online store. Either that or use family sharing to share purchases across both AppleIDs.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 3, 2021 1:21 PM in response to Chucky18

iCloud is fundamentally a means to sync data between devices using the same AppleID. So it’s impossible to use one AppleID with iCloud on two devices and not sync things like contacts, notes, calendars, messages, etc. and of course they’d both use the exact same iCloud email account.


So you’d want separate AppleIDs for iCloud, FaceTime and messages. But you could use the same AppleID on both for purchases in the Mac Store or through any apple online store. Either that or use family sharing to share purchases across both AppleIDs.

Can two computers be placed on one Apple ID account and remain independent of each other?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.