Can't change Apple Id on Device

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Can't change Apple Id on Device

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While travelling abroad, I got my iPhone stolen.

After dealing with the fact (police, etc), went back to where I was staying and dealing with the fact I was not get it back, started to secure my data, and changed all the passwords I could - including the ones from Apple, using my Mac.

One month later, back home, got a new phone.

And then I remember - "there is still the old iPad".

This one still have the old Apple Id Verification, which does not exist anymore. Every time I try to put the old Apple ID, it sends a message (primarily) to the new iPhone, and changes the password of the new email assigned, but keeping the old email (now of a not valid/non-existent account), which I cannot delete anyhow.

I need to erase the old email (which I can't), and put the new one; I can't event reset its password; it doesn't exist anymore.

Any hints on how to get rid of this loop?

Thanks in advance.

iPad Air 2

Posted on Mar 15, 2024 6:00 AM

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Answer 1

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Limnos

Community+ 2026

Level 10

430,703 points

Mar 15, 2024 1:21 PM in response to alxpp

Apple won't let you re-use an email address for a new account of even for changing the address on a current account.

If you did indeed delete the old account, read this support article —> How to delete your Apple ID account - Apple Support

Carefully and thoroughly read that article for information about what happens when you delete your Apple ID account. For example:

"Make sure that you sign out of all your devices to avoid issues with apps that use your Apple ID account or iCloud. After 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 not be able to use your device when your account is deleted."

In that case Apple can reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership (usually the original receipt from Apple or an authorized retailer). Try this online here --> https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support (Yes, apparently this does work in this situation too: How to remove previously deleted apple id… - Apple Community ).

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Answer 2

Mar 15, 2024 10:59 AM in response to alxpp

You seem to be saying it is doing things that frankly are not in accordance with expected behavior.

Why does the Apple ID not exist anymore? Unless you very specifically follow steps to request Apple delete the ID it will not be deleted unless you haven't used it in a very long time (years). That account still exists and is present on the devices into which it was signed in.

Again, doing something such as having a verification code sent to the new phone will not cause a password to be changed. You have to very deliberately go in and change the password. It won't change automatically. What might happen is if you enter the wrong one too many times your account will be disabled until you reset it, but you do not say anything about a disabled account.

So, I hope you did not set up a new account. That was unnecessary and you should only be using a single one.

I am guessing this has something to do with getting a verification code, but I really am not clear as to the basic issue since unless you very carefully follow the procedure in How to delete your Apple ID account - Apple Support that old account still exists. You may have changed the password, in which case you need to sign in with the new password.

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Answer 3

alxpp Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 15, 2024 1:12 PM in response to Limnos

Hi,

Thanks for the kind reply, and links attached.

A new account was not set up, sir.

I came across the possibility of deletion of the account this last week, but it was not necessary

First because I changed right after I came back from police station (new email and password), and second, thus, not really necessary to delete, once I use the same on other devices - the Mac (for example) I am sending this message, which I used to made the changes.

Regarding the Verification Code, I got it on the iPhone - but when I changed the password, it changed the password of the password of the new email - not the "old one" still attached on the iPad.

When I try to make any action on that account, it says now "it does not exist"; if I try to make a new account using such email, says it is not possible.

All devices are working like a charm (files, photos, etc - all fine) but the iPad is "locked". Looks like a tough cookie I have here...

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Can't change Apple Id on Device

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