How can I get my phone to stop defaulting to my parents' Apple ID?

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Level 1

6 points

How can I get my phone to stop defaulting to my parents' Apple ID?

I got my phone back in high school, when I was still under my parents' Apple ID. Since then, I have made my own Apple ID. For some reason, my phone goes back and forth between the accounts. As a result, I cannot access the storage plan that I pay for. Additionally, I can't download offloaded apps, as it's requesting the password to my parents' account. How can I get my phone to stop defaulting to my parents' account?

iPhone 12 mini, iOS 17

Posted on Sep 6, 2026 8:00 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Mac Jim ID

Community+ 2026

Level 10

93,508 points

Sep 6, 2026 9:54 PM in response to tunasalad325

Check if your Parents account is still being used for Media & Purchases. Go to Settings > [name on top] > Media & Purchases, to see what account is associated with those purchases.

Any app downloaded with the Apple Account seen at Media & Purchases is linked to that account and require that password to update and redownload those apps. To resolve that issue of apps downloaded with your parent's Apple Account, you should delete those apps, not offload, and download them again from the App Store using your correct Apple Account signed into Media & Purchases.

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Answer 2

ckuan

Level 10

122,232 points

Sep 6, 2026 9:18 PM in response to tunasalad325

Those apps you downloaded using your parents ID are forever bind to their account.

Delete those apps and download those apps using your own Apple account.

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