How can I resolve Apple Account association issues on my iPhone?

iPhone 13 Pro Max running iOS 18.0.01


The full warning which I just got when updating to iOS 18.0.1 is:


This Device is Already Associated With an Apple Account

If you turn on Automatic Downloads with your Apple Account, you cannot auto-download or download past purchases with a different Apple Account for 90 days.

The choices are: [Cancel] or [Transfer]


I purchased my iPhone from a friend who is "Apple knowledgeable" and he swears he went through all the steps Apple recommends before selling the iPhone to me but to me this alert would seem to indicate that the iPhone is in some way still associated with his Apple Account and I have no idea what to do or whether to click on [Cancel] or [Transfer]. Assuming [Transfer] would transfer the iPhone to my Apple Account, this would seem to be the appropriate choice but I welcome advice as to whether that is the correct choice.


Many thanks for any assistance.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 13 Pro Max

Posted on Oct 4, 2024 9:12 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 11, 2024 1:47 AM

I’ve selected both cancel and transfer and still see this multiple times a day!!

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Feb 15, 2025 9:41 AM in response to Room101A

I suppose weirdly i’m fortunate that i only get this annoying message once a day when i switch my phone on in the morning. I’ve done 2 updates since and nothing has changed.

My main concern now is if it gets any worse with future updates - I’ve accepted Apple don’t care and won’t try to fix it, just wanted to know if it will get worse after this latest update - which I haven’t updated yet.

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Feb 28, 2025 10:13 AM in response to Room101A

I went in depth into this with a 2nd tier advanced Apple technician. We found the solution in my case at least was that an old app that was no longer supported by Apple. Delete any old apps that you may not be using. Update all apps and see if there is one that will not update. Hope this helps.

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Mar 1, 2025 6:18 AM in response to françois229

Did you lose any info by doing this? My dilemma is I only receive this irritating message once a day, so I can be lazy and live with it. I'm wondering if after 90 days anything happens? If anything gets worse or if it goes away?!


Has anyone found the message appears more after any updates?

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How can I resolve Apple Account association issues on my iPhone?

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