How do I sign in to iCloud on a used iPhone with too many created accounts?

A message saying, “The maximum number of free accounts have been activated”, is discussed in the support document: https://support.apple.com/101661

Apple apparently limits excessive Apple Account creation, or iCloud activation of web-created accounts, on any one device per year (presumably a 12-month period). Your options are:

1. Use a different account that has already been set up on a device previously,.

2. Set up the account on a different device that hasn’t reached this limit (you can then use it on the device that displayed the message previously).

3. Wait until the time limit has passed.

You are welcome to contact Apple and check if they are willing to reset the count for you:

This support article has various country telephone numbers for contacting Apple for support and service ➔ https://support.apple.com/106932 Scroll down to “Connect with live support”. If your country is not in the list, go to the “Other countries” entry at the end of the list and click on the “options” link. Not every country has telephone support, and phone numbers may only work when calling from the same country.

For chat, you can try using the Apple Support App —> https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

For chat help with a USA Apple Account —>

https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0998&symptom_id=20198

MrHoffman wrote:

You have an Apple Account that you have used to log into these forums. Use that. Or alter it as appropriate, and use it.

Creating a new account or resetting the iPhone will not bypass Activation Lock. Here, only the seller can unlock that.

I think that if the iPhone was activation locked then the OP wouldn't even get so far as to try to set up a new account.

Sign in from a different unit first, or click here for information. If you don't have one, use the link to get suggestions.

(263002)

You have an Apple Account that you have used to log into these forums. Use that. Or alter it as appropriate, and use it.

Creating a new account or resetting the iPhone will not bypass Activation Lock. Here, only the seller can unlock that.

Limnos wrote:

MrHoffman wrote:

Creating a new account or resetting the iPhone will not bypass Activation Lock. Here, only the seller can unlock that.

I think that if the iPhone was activation locked then the OP wouldn't even get so far as to try to set up a new account.

You’re unfamiliar? That’s surprising. It’s s fairly common sequence, which is why I included mention here. This has somebody acquiring a device and its passcode, and is now seeking to use the new account creation as part of transitioning Activation Lock. Which won’t work.

No, I have never let a device get activation lock on it. Have you tried doing exactly what the OP did? I would just think that if the OP tried to do anything such as create a new account then they would get an activation lock message before they could get as far as the "too many" message.

To me it seems quite likely the OP received a device that did not have activation lock on it but started setting it up, got as far as trying to create a new account, and then got that message.

This issue is completely unrelated to the activation lock. Since maddoxx100 didn't mention it, the seller likely properly prepared it for sale, which removes it, but not the account creation limit. Addressing this won't cause an unlocked unit to become locked.

Mentioning issues without confirmation that someone will encounter them is worrying and possibly confusing.

(263003)

Thank you, you are just confirming what I was questioning when activation lock was introduced into this thread.