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Wrong Apple ID showing in "Update Apps"

I had my mother-in-law reset her password as she has not been able to log into her iTunes for quite some time. After we reset apple id, we changed it in settings>store and it took it just fine. It accepted the new id/password in the setting and online; however, we then tried to update iPhone but it doesn't show the correct apple id/email address in the "updated apps" pop up screen, but shows up correctly in settings>store. Please help.

iPhone 4

Posted on May 30, 2012 8:04 AM

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Posted on May 30, 2012 11:42 AM

I am having same issue in last 2 weeks or so, it was perfectly o earlier. Maybe iphone os 5.1.1 issue? Only while updating the apps. I don't recall using any apple ID since ages (iphone 3g) but vaguely remember that earlier apple ID was not having email id, once iPhone4 or cloud came in it required email id. Dind't use "@me.com" but used yahoo.com instead. I don't sync with computer itunes and haven't done in 6+ months but update it using wifi or att data networks. Funny thing is if I were to install new app, the apple id and password works fine but when you go back to update it the existing apps later it fails. Frustrating thing is even newly installed app using the same appleid if there is an update available for it, it will fail with wrong apple id or password.


Didn't want to reset or delete all the apps and start a fresh. looking for a workaround

thanks in advance

70 replies

Sep 28, 2012 7:33 PM in response to rachelle221

I just got the iPhone 5 and started setting up all my apps. I had several that needed to be updated and I encountered the same issue. My settings showed the correct account, but the update screen was showing me a very old itunes account id. Worst yet, I put in what I was sure was the old password, and it still didn't work.


I ended up trying to check the old account password and went to appleid.apple.com. I signed in with my old account, and sure enough that password worked. Looks like I had to verify the (very old) account. I responded to an email for verification. After that, my iphone updates worked. Must have had an old app from before my me.com account days. Hmmm.

Sep 29, 2012 12:21 AM in response to rachelle221

Guys, I once had this problem too... When I update my apps, it shows Tim Cook's apple id... I took it to the apple retail store, I live in Malaysia, so it's Switch... And they reinstall iOS for me... After one day, I get the same problem again but this time, it shows my old apple id... Then I go to settings and reset all settings and everything is solved!!! Try it out, maybe it will solve your problem too! Good luck

Jan 18, 2013 4:38 PM in response to rachelle221

There is a chance that you had downloaded the app with old apple id, hence it doesnt allow to update and shows old apple id,however , in any case ,

->just start itunes in your pc

->connect your device to the pc after starting itunes

->it will ask for authorizing the device, allow authorization by giving the latest apple id that you have and the password.

->Then the updates will happen as usual and you should not have problem anymore

May 21, 2013 5:50 AM in response to rachelle221

I restored a backup on my iPhone 4s at which point the wrong username appeared on when updating apps on my iPhone. In my case, deleting the affected apps and then re-downloading solved my problem.

What seems to have happened is that another user (who shares my Windows 7 PC) had apps in common with me. When I restored my backup, my iPhone assumed these apps belonged to this other user. So, deleting them and re-downloading from my iPhone worked.

May 23, 2013 8:27 AM in response to rachelle221

This is the solution that I found when I had this problem:

Update all account information. When you go to the app store, select "UPDATE ALL". (For some reason, this did not work with individual app updates.
When the screen pops up to login with the wrong address, press cancel. It will scroll you through all email address options associated with your account.
Unfortunately, this will only update the apps downloaded under THAT email address. All others, have to be deleted and re-downloaded under the new email address.

Oct 31, 2014 9:23 AM in response to jan.solis

Help! Tried updating my 5s to iOs 8, and for some reason it crashed and made me restore my phone. No problem, restored it. My phone is showing that the apple id is MY apple id, BUT when I try to update some apps (not all, weird...) it shows my HUSBAND'S apple id and wants HIS pw! WEIRD!!!! No idea why. I can't find his apple id hiding in any settings anywhere. I've even signed out of my apple id and re-signed in, and still to no avail.

Help! Oh, and another oddity - some of my apps are missing from my screen, and I have to re-download them. Weird.

Nov 2, 2015 3:47 AM in response to rachelle221

I found on my Wife's phone that the apps that were trying to update could only be updated by the older apple ID, it was if the original command was made by the older ID acc using it to access iTunes to update. I had signed in and out nothing would work I was at whits end so I just thought out of the box. The Two apps that were trying to update I deleted then downloaded them again. When asked the correct ID was referenced for the password. Had a little fist pump on this one but it's what you will suffer when one of you is up to date with tech and the other just wants to be. After changing you apple id delete any apps that are trying to update and install them using the new acc information.


Hope this helps.

Nov 28, 2016 2:26 PM in response to rachelle221

It sounds like you have apps linked to an old apple id on your phone. Say like, your Facebook or instagram was originally downloaded on that old apple id. When you do a restore from previous device they were purchased on it brings them over. Also, if you have apps downloaded in your iTunes from other apple ids. When you sync your device with your computer it will do the same. The way I found to fix this was deleting all my older apps, at least the ones I know for sure weren't purchased on this phone, and then redownloading them from the app store. Get rid of the apps linked to the old account, get rid of the that error.

Jul 1, 2017 9:21 AM in response to rachelle221

My problem may be unique but it was similar so I offer this solution. I have family sharing and my app store kept asking for my wifes (old) ID even though the phone and my icloud and app store were signed in as me. Turns out the "update all" feature crashed because of an app she purchased and shared with me.


Update each app individually until you find the app that calls for the external credentials.

Delete it from your phone and all will be good again.

It will no longer ask for the other persons ID.


In my case this was further complicated (or unique) because my wifes ID changed after we married and this particular app was purchased under her old ID settings. I do not seem to have this problem with any apps she shares under her new credentials.

Wrong Apple ID showing in "Update Apps"

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