iOS updates cause recurring prompts for old Apple ID

Hi everyone,


I'm experiencing a recurring issue where after each iOS update, I get a prompt asking me to sign in with an Apple ID that was previously used on my device - not my current one.


I've already signed out of that old account and am using a different Apple ID now, but the prompt keeps appearing after every update.


I've already checked the following without finding any connection to the old Apple ID:


  • All installed apps (none are associated with the old account)
  • Media and Purchases
  • TestFlight (no apps installed from the old account)
  • iCloud settings (signed in with my current Apple ID only)


Has anyone found a way to permanently resolve this? I'd appreciate any suggestions on how to stop these prompts from appearing.


Thanks in advance!

iPad Air (4th generation)

Posted on Jan 22, 2026 3:37 AM

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2 replies

Jan 22, 2026 6:33 AM in response to dotanbrand

Ideally you should have done this when transitioning --> What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support The iPhone has a new "owner" viz. a different account being used with it.


There are several likely places where you can use a different Apple ID:


1. In Mail if you want to use a different or more than one iCloud or other mail provider account, go to: Settings -> mail -> accounts -> add account -> iCloud


2. Messages and Facetime. Sign into a different Apple ID for these services in Settings. Note this has to be the same ID for both. Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, and make sure both your telephone number and Apple ID are input there and both show a checkmark. If you need more help, check this link: Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime - Apple Support .


3. In the support article: If you subscribe to Apple One and use a different Apple ID for iCloud - Apple Support Apple alludes to using a different Apple ID just for media, subscriptions, and purchases, but doesn't describe how to do this. See if these work:

In iOS/iPadOS: Go to Settings > [your Apple ID] > Media & Purchases. Sign out of the current ID and sign in with a different one.

In Ventura or later: First, quit Settings. Then, in App Store, choose “Sign Out” in the Store menu, then click on the “sign in” button that appears in the main window. You can then sign into the other account. (from: Using different Apple ID for media & purc… - Apple Community )

Related to that is: Use a different Apple ID to share purchases with Family Sharing as outlined in Use a different Apple Account to share purchases with Family Sharing - Apple Support






Jan 22, 2026 6:58 AM in response to dotanbrand

Hard to say with so little detail.


After what update does it appear? After you update the iOS version?

Does it happen when updating apps specifically? If so, then you may have at least one App that was downloaded with that old Apple ID. Changing Apple ID for iCloud or the stores will not change this. The app will remain tied to the Apple ID that was used to download it.


Where do you see this prompt? What are you doing at the time it appears?






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iOS updates cause recurring prompts for old Apple ID

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