icloud: The maximum number of free accounts have been activated on this iPhone.

I did start my own thread and got zero replies so I decided to try and see if anyone on this one found a solution. There is also no Apple documentation that I could find regarding this issue. Im under a deadline to set up several iPads to synch and Im really frustrated becuase this ipad is locked out. (I work for a library this is not for personal use). So I understand the boundary around not providing info for a hacked device but in this case my need to actually find a solution was paramount to me.

As a first time user of this, or any forum Im disappointed not in your reply but in the tone of your reply.

Hello, mine is 4S bought last Winter from Pasadena Shop. I brought to them for the iCloud maximum number issue in this spring but they seems has no clue of why.

I still no iCloud work in my iPhone. I have two Apple IDs are recongized by iCloud website as non-Apple-hardware-activated acconts.

What I should do to have this fix, please?

Papciak84,

Papciak84 wrote:

That's just not accurate.

We change the owner's name and information all the time as long as you're able to verify a few things.

Sounds like you had a lousy experience.

Could you help by suggest a good store in South California that I can bring my 4S to fix the iCloud issue, please?

iTunes > AppleID > Account > iTunes in the Cloud > Manage Devices: "...Computers and devices can be associated with a different Apple ID once every 90 days. Days remaining indicates the number of days before you can associate that specific computer or device with a different Apple ID."

I have the same problem and will let you know what happens in July.

Actually Kim, since the person in question has restored their device and the jailbreak is gone, he can absolutely get help here, I do not see an issue. Upon restoring a device to its factory condition, the jailbreak and all relating data is completely wiped off the device. Nothing is left and yes it is possible to remove it and make it a virgin phone.

Manace03 wrote:

You can also go create your account online at appleid.apple.com/account then use it on the iPad.

Technically accurate, but an Apple ID is not automatically an iCloud account. To enable the iCloud function to an existing Apple ID, you go to Settings > iCloud, attempt to sign in. If there are remaining signups available for that device (each device gets three signups), then it will add the iCloud 'flag' to the Apple ID. From that point forward, it is usable as an iCloud account.

You can only create an iCloud account or enable an Apple ID to become an iCloud account by using an iOS device. You cannot do so otherwise.

Roger Wilmut1 wrote:

TJBUSMC1973 wrote

You can only create an iCloud account or enable an Apple ID to become an iCloud account by using an iOS device.

Or a Mac (but not a PC).

Yes, that too, lol. Forgot to mention that one.

Thanks for figuring this out! I got my wife's phone to work. We got a refurbished phone from a mobile carrier/ dealer and had the same 3 apple ID issue. Now it works great and we can use find my iPhone on her 5s. 🙂

visvim wrote:

sir its working but when i top the agree verify then note again is the maximum number.... etc again wh???? please me T_T

As has been repeatedly stated in this thread, once a device has created three iCloud accounts you will get this message and the only way to proceed is to create a new account on another Mac or iOS device (not Windows) and then you will be able to sign into that account on the first device. There is no other was round this.

You have to create an iCloud account somehow on another iOS device or Mac, then you can sign into it on this phone. If you don't have a friend with the relevant hardware who can help you and Apple Store may be able to set it up for you. If you do this this way, change the password once you've signed in on the phone.

1. You only get the error message if you try to sign in with an Apple ID which doesn't have an iCloud account associated with it (and the device has already created three iCloud accounts) so if you are sure that you are entering the ID correctly I don't know why this should happen.

2. Yes, of course.

Greetings,

Similarly to this ^ problem (I think), I have a 4s on latest OS - Am swapping the phone from personal to business use.

Created new iCloud account with existing Gmail address using PC.

iCloud account is now active. Have signed into iTunes and iCloud on PC.

iPhone still will not sign in, saying "max number of free accounts etc. etc.".

At a loss now.

Help appreciated, thx 🙂

As long as you are trying to sign in on the iPhone with an existing iCloud account you should not be seeing this error, since it only concerns the creation of iCloud accounts on that particular device. Just as a check you should sign in with that ID at http://www.icloud.com and confirm that you can see the various pages such as Mail, Calendar, etc.

If you are still having this problem on the iPhone I can only suggest you contact Support since something odd is going on. Go to https://getsupport.apple.com . Click' See all products and services', then 'More', then 'iCloud', then 'Account and Setup', then 'Troubleshooting iCloud account issues'. Then click 'No thanks. Continue' to be offered contact methods.

Thanks for your reply Roger.

When I sign into iCloud with this new account through PC, all I get is: Pages, Numbers, Keynote and Settings.

I assume it would appear like this until I actually sign in on the iPhone - then Calendars, Notes etc. would all appear.

Also have logged into 2 previous previous iCloud accounts I've used with this phone (have had the handset since new), and made sure they are not attached to this handset anymore. Seems they're not.

When I reset (all content and settings) the phone earlier today, had to input my previous account PW, which I did, then set up as new after. But still no luck using the new iCloud account.

Will try the support link you provided.

Much appreciated, Cheers.

If the iCloud account is functioning properly then at http://www.icloud.com you should see Contacts, Mail, Notes, etc. Is it there that you are signing in? You say you created the account on a PC - you mean on Windows?: supposedly you can't create an iCloud account on Windows so I wonder whether you have in fact done so - you may have only create an Apple ID which would get you into iTunes.

In order to sign in on the iPhone you have to create an iCloud account on another iOS device or on a Mac, not on Windows. From the fact that you are getting this error on the phone it does sound as if you haven't actually managed to create an account.

If you sign into http://www.icloud.com in the browser on a computer (not on an iOS device) what do you see? Can you post a screenshot (obscure any personal details such as your ID).