I have three iPads all with the same Apple ID, etc. that are being used by different family members. I am buying a new iPad for myself and would like to set up a new Apple ID for each of the three iPads/family members but keep all data and pictures on the existing iPads since most has been added by the family members currently using them. Is this possible without factory resetting each iPad?
iPad
If giving away your older model iPads, you would be best advised to properly prepare them - which will entail a full reset/erase - as otherwise your private and sensitive data (including your account passwords saved in your keychain) will remain accessible:
What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Outside of Educational and Business environments, iPad and iPhone are principally single-user devices. Each user should have their own AppleID - this being used exclusively with their own devices. This is essential to maintain intended separation of activities and to avoid unintended sharing of unintended information and data.
You may find this information to be helpful with setting-up AppleIDs for minors - and in considering appropriate controls while continuing to share Apps and paid Apple services if you should choose to do so:
Apple for Kids - Official Apple Support
Help your child set up an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child – Apple Support
Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support
If you don't wish to properly prepare the devices for reuse and you accept the implications of sharing highly sensitive account information - if you still wish to preserve existing data with different AppleID, ensure that you have disabled the Activation Lock on each device that will otherwise cause difficulties in the future. You can disable the Activation Lock by disabling the Find My service from iPad/iPhone settings before trying to use a different AppleID account:
Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Find My > Find My iPad - set to OFF
Having disabled the Activation lock, you can now sign-out from your old AppleID:
Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Sign Out
While not recommended, if you intend to keep iCloud data that is locally stored on your iPad, accept the opportunity to keep a local copy of your data (e.g., Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Keychain Passwords etc.) - as otherwise this data will be wiped from your iPad as you sign-out from iCloud. If you decline to save a local copy of data, iCloud data will be automatically erased.
Also ensure that you have signed-out from Messages and FaceTime:
After signing out, a restart of the device is recommended:
Restart your iPad - Apple Support
After restarting, you can sign-in to your new AppleID account from iPad settings - and also sign-in to Messages and FaceTime if necessary. Any iCloud data that you saved to your device during the previous sign-out will be merged with your new AppleID account. Other than manual deletion of data, this merge is irreversible.
Insofar as "ownership" is concerned, the AppleID that last successfully activated the iPad - and to which the Activation Lock relates - is the device owner
As such, if the iPad is properly prepared - and the iPad is setup with a new AppleID - ownership is transferred:
What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Thank you very much! I will give it a try. One more question - can I reset the owner information for the iPads at the same time?
Thank you again!!! I very much appreciate all the information.
Best!
Re-assign Apple ID for iPads
