Is it possible to download an app from the App Store onto an iPhone and then delete the Apple ID and be able to still use and update that app after putting in a different Apple ID?
i’m curious because of all of the phones that people put TikTok on and then sell them. Wouldn’t that make it to where the app would be usable but not updatable?
No, because Apps are FOREVER tied to the Apple ID they were downloaded under.
As to your example of phone sold on TikTok, which weren't prepared properly for a new user, yes, they would not be able to update the apps unless they knew the Apple Account they were downloaded under, which almost 100% of the time, they don't know. And they also eventually get locked out of the phone rendering the phone unusable.
No, because Apps are FOREVER tied to the Apple ID they were downloaded under.
As to your example of phone sold on TikTok, which weren't prepared properly for a new user, yes, they would not be able to update the apps unless they knew the Apple Account they were downloaded under, which almost 100% of the time, they don't know. And they also eventually get locked out of the phone rendering the phone unusable.
Camelot wrote:
> No, because Apps are FOREVER tied to the Apple ID they were downloaded under.
Not true. Apple changed this policy recently, and have a tech note on how to migrate apps from one Apple Account to another: Migrate purchases from one Apple Account to another Apple Account - Apple Support
There are LOT of requirements for this to work. For example both accounts must be in the same country or region and people who buy used devices from TikTok, likely will find this isn't going to apply or work for them. But you are right that under the exact correct conditions, it is possible to move an app to a different Apple Account. For most people buying a used device it's hugely unlikely it will work for them.
If someone wants to change their Apple Account on their own phone, yes, this will likely work. But there really is no reason to ever change your Apple Account. There are certainly reasons to change your Apple Account Password. The Account itself, even if it's an email address isn't really tied to the email address. It is simply the Account Name.
Is it possible to download an app from the App Store onto an iPhone and then delete the Apple ID and be able to still use and update that app after putting in a different Apple ID?
No, the app is tied to the Apple ID. But, you could download the app again and tie it to the new Apple ID. Not sure about TikTok though since there is confusion about the ban.
> Is it possible to download an app from the App Store onto an iPhone and then delete the Apple ID and be able to still use and update that app after putting in a different Apple ID?
Actually yes, but it's not relevant.
Ostensibly, each app that's downloaded and installed via the App Store is 'locked' to the Apple Account that was used to install it. This account needs to be available/logged in for any future app updates.
It is possible to migrate apps from one account to another, but it then renders it unusable/unregistered for the original account, which is why it's not an option here.
At the end of the day, though, it's irrelevant. The recipient of the phone can (and should) just install their own copy of the TikTok (or any) app on the phone when they get it. Even better, they shouldn't ever buy a used phone and use it as-is. I'd always wipe it and start fresh because you don't know what other cruft the seller has left behind.
If you are in the US, TikTok has been back in the App Store and available for download for over a month now, so this is all moot.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tiktok/id835599320
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/13/tiktok-returns-to-apples-googles-app-store.html
With that said, yes apps are tied to the Apple Account that downloaded them but can be transferred to another account under the right circumstances which is not relevant for this as if it weren't still available in the App Store, the transfer would be unable to complete as that is one of the requirements for the transfer.
With that said, it is always a terrible idea to buy an iPhone still logged in to someone else's account for any reason. You can be locked out of the iPhone entirely with no way to get back in.
But yes, should you do that, you would be unable to update the app unless you had the password for the Apple Account used to download it.
> No, because Apps are FOREVER tied to the Apple ID they were downloaded under.
Not true. Apple changed this policy recently, and have a tech note on how to migrate apps from one Apple Account to another: Migrate purchases from one Apple Account to another Apple Account - Apple Support
Possible to use/update app w/different Apple ID?
