Can't sign out of iCloud on Mac

I got a new email address and I wanted to update the information with my iTunes. All worked well except I can't sign out of iCloud because it wants me to sign in with my old Apple ID. I know the password for it but it tells me the Apple ID or password is wrong. Since I changed my ID from one email to the next that makes sense but I can't sign out. Help!

Posted on Mar 13, 2017 7:48 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 20, 2018 9:42 PM

Durr, try the following:

  1. Make sure you’re logged on as a user with Administrator rights
  2. Open Applications
  3. Open the Utilities Folder
  4. Open the Terminal application
  5. At the prompt (after the colon), type the following words exactly as displayed with the appropriate spaces: defaults delete MobileMeAccounts
  6. Press enter to finish (this deletes the old Apple ID)
  7. Now go to System Preferences
  8. Select iCloud
  9. You should now see the new iCloud apple ID and password prompt. Just enter your updated ID and password.
  10. Walla! ✅ You should be good to go!

Hope this helps!

15 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 20, 2018 9:42 PM in response to durr

Durr, try the following:

  1. Make sure you’re logged on as a user with Administrator rights
  2. Open Applications
  3. Open the Utilities Folder
  4. Open the Terminal application
  5. At the prompt (after the colon), type the following words exactly as displayed with the appropriate spaces: defaults delete MobileMeAccounts
  6. Press enter to finish (this deletes the old Apple ID)
  7. Now go to System Preferences
  8. Select iCloud
  9. You should now see the new iCloud apple ID and password prompt. Just enter your updated ID and password.
  10. Walla! ✅ You should be good to go!

Hope this helps!

Mar 14, 2017 6:14 AM in response to gail from maine

I have tried entering in the password but it won't let me because Find My Mac is enabled. So it just errors out. Honestly, I find it funny that I have to sign in to sign out. I read something that you can just log back into your Apple ID and change the email address back then sign out and change it again but unfortunately that email does not exist anymore.

Mar 14, 2017 4:58 PM in response to gail from maine

Hi GB. Steps I am taking-

-On my Mac I go to settings and iCloud Settings.

-I notice it has my name and my old email listed so I click Sign out.

-It asks me to enter my password for the Apple ID that is my old email. I have tried to enter the password but that doesn't work. It says Your Apple ID or password is incorrect. So I cancel.

-I get a pop up that says Your iCloud account couldn't be removed at this time. Turn off all iCloud services and try again. When I try to turn off those services I can turn them all off except Find my Mac. It again asks me to sign in with my old Apple ID.


I did try to change me email back for my Apple ID but when I do that it sends a code to my old email that I don't have access to anymore. I was able to update my iPhone just fine.

Mar 14, 2017 7:46 PM in response to durr

One last thing that I can think of is to take the Mac offline. Then go to a device or another Mac, and open Find My iPhone. The Mac should show as offline, and should be able to allow to you Remove the Device. In all likelihood, this won't help, but put the Mac back online, and see if the Find My Mac option is unchecked.....or if you can uncheck it. Or if you can now sign out with the current ID.


GB

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Can't sign out of iCloud on Mac

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