I accidentally removed my iPad Mini from my Apple ID's associated devices. How do I link it back?

Question

Level 1

14 points

I accidentally removed my iPad Mini from my Apple ID's associated devices. How do I link it back?

The account page in the App Store on the iPad says "Enabling Automatic Downloads or downloading a previous purchase will associate this device with your Apple ID for use with iTunes in the Cloud." I have done both tasks (enabling automatic downloads and downloading a previous purchase) but my iPad Mini still won't appear back on the "Manage Devices" page.

I have also read this KB: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4627 and it said this: "Once a device or computer is associated with your Apple ID, you cannot associate that device or computer with another Apple ID for 90 days. You can view which devices or computers are currently associated, remove unused devices or computers, and see how long before they can be associated with a different Apple ID from the Account Information page in iTunes on your computer." I have never used a different Apple ID other than my account, so I don't see why I cannot re-associate my device to my ID. I also can't see the number of days before the device can be associated to another ID, because the device doesn't appear on the "Manage Devices" page in the first place. I would also like to note that my other devices do not show some sort of countdown, either.

Hoping for something to solve this! Thank you in advance!

iPad Mini-OTHER, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on May 10, 2013 10:01 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Demo

Level 10

166,494 points

May 10, 2013 10:08 AM in response to erikadj

Are looking at your account in iTunes on a computer? Check there - but I assume that you are because I know of no area on the iPad where you can view this information.

Go to Settings>iTunes & App Store>Apple ID. Tap your ID and then tap view Apple ID. Go down to iTunes in the cloud and see if your device shows up there.

Reply

Answer 2

M1SSB

Level 1

38 points

May 10, 2013 10:12 AM in response to erikadj

If I were you I will go and restore the ipad, and re configure it with the apple id associated before. Demo is right you should see your computer too.

Reply

Answer 3

Rudegar

Level 10

170,610 points

May 10, 2013 10:15 AM in response to erikadj

settings->itune & app stores-> put in your appleID and password

settings it's always the last place you look 😉

Reply

Answer 4

erikadj Author

Level 1

14 points

May 10, 2013 10:35 AM in response to Demo

I looked at both iTunes on my MBP and the App Store on my iPad. On iTunes, it only shows my other three devices, excluding my iPad Mini. On the App Store on my iPad, it shows the italicized note I placed above: "Enabling automatic downloads…" instead of the usual "This device can be used with Automatic Downloads and can also download previously purchased music, apps, movies, and books." (This was what was displayed before I accidentally removed the device).

Reply

Answer 5

erikadj Author

Level 1

14 points

May 10, 2013 10:36 AM in response to M1SSB

I'm trying to avoid that, but I might end up doing it if everything else fails. If I reset my iPad, I'm going to lose everything on it, right? That would suck.

Reply

Answer 6

erikadj Author

Level 1

14 points

May 10, 2013 10:38 AM in response to Rudegar

The thing is, when I accidentally pressed remove, I was not signed out. I had already tried what you said, though. I signed out and signed in my Apple ID but it still would not go back to the way it was. BTW, I can still download my old purchases from my Apple ID (in case this information is useful), but my iPad Mini just won't appear on the "Manage Devices" page.

Reply

Answer 7

Demo

Level 10

166,494 points

May 10, 2013 10:44 AM in response to erikadj

I know that this is very easy for me to say, becuse I am not in your shoes, but if you sphere able to download any past purchase on the iPad - that does in fact associate the device with your Apple ID no matter what you are seeings right now.

Don't stress too much about it. Check it in a day or so and see if it appears in your associated devices. I never even think about checking my devices. As long as I can download a previous purchase, that's proof enough for me.

Reply

Answer 8

erikadj Author

Level 1

14 points

May 10, 2013 10:49 AM in response to Demo

Yeah, I guess I'm left with pretty much no choice. I do hope it appears tomorrow because I'm a bit obsessive-compulsive and not seeing it there with my other devices bothers me quite a lot, as silly as it may seem. 😁 Thank you, though!

And BTW, if I follow M1SSB's advice and restore my iPad, would it delete everything? Because when I clicked the restore button, it said I had an option to restore contacts and etc after going back to factory settings, but does that mean all photos on the iPad would be gone?

Reply

Answer 9

Demo

Level 10

166,494 points

May 10, 2013 10:53 AM in response to erikadj

I want to make one more suggestion and this is merely my opinion .... Don't restore your iPad. If this is the only issue that you have going on - this thing with the associated devices - there is absolutely no reason to restore a perfectly working iPad - at least not at this point.

Reply

Answer 10

ronenur

Level 1

0 points

Jun 4, 2014 12:26 PM in response to erikadj

it happned to me today, so I went to setting > App store and itunes (on my iphone) > apple ID

and i disconected and then loged in again and it solved the problem for me

Reply