HT204053: Sign in with your Apple ID on a new device

Learn about Sign in with your Apple ID on a new device
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Level 1 (60 points)

Q: Can't log in to iCloud in System Preferences

I changed my Apple ID because I changed my email. All my other devices are OK except my Macbook Pro 2010 running Yosemite. I have tried deleting the plist in the preferences and about every other solution posted in the forums but nothing seems to work. When I reboot, it defaults to the older ID and I have to skip and log it out in System Preferences. I deleted the keychain password for the older Apple ID too. Is there anything else I can try? I created an extra admin account and it logs out ok there but not in my usual account in the mac. I am out of ideas. Anyone?

 

Elizabeth

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4), Macbook Air 11 inch

Posted on Aug 10, 2015 6:12 PM

Close
Elizabeth Rodriguez

Q: Can't log in to iCloud in System Preferences

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Winston Churchill,

    Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Aug 11, 2015 1:05 AM in response to Elizabeth Rodriguez
    Level 10 (104,506 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 11, 2015 1:05 AM in response to Elizabeth Rodriguez

    If you mean that Find My Phone is asking for a password to a different Apple ID to your current Apple ID and that ID is a previous version of your current ID, not an entirely different one.

     

    This feature has been introduced to make stolen phones useless to those that have stolen them.

     

    However it can also arise when the user has changed their Apple ID details with Apple and not made the same changes to their iCloud account/Find My Phone on their device before upgrading to iOS 7, or if you restore from a previous back up made before you changed your details and some other circumstances.

     

    The only solution is to change your Apple ID back to its previous state with Apple at My Apple ID using your current password, you don’t need access to this address if it’s previously been used with your Apple ID, nor do you need to verify it, once you have saved these details enter the password as requested on your device and then turn off "find my phone" and delete the account from your device. It may take a short while to remove the account.

     

    You should then change your Apple ID back to its current state, save it once again and then log back in using your current Apple ID. Finally, turn "find my phone" back on once again.

     

    This article provides more information about Activation Lock.

  • by Elizabeth Rodriguez,

    Elizabeth Rodriguez Elizabeth Rodriguez Aug 11, 2015 7:53 AM in response to Winston Churchill
    Level 1 (60 points)
    Aug 11, 2015 7:53 AM in response to Winston Churchill

    When I go to System preferences and try to log in to iCloud, it has the old address. I log out and write the new id and then, I get the message that I need to try later. I can log in to the iCloud online and to my iPhone and iPad with no problems. It is only in my Macbook Pro that I get that message.