Change your Apple ID on iPad through Settings
To change the Apple ID on your iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down, and select Sign Out. You'll be asked whether to keep or delete your data — choose based on what you want to preserve. After signing out, return to the top of Settings, tap Sign in to your iPad, and enter your new Apple ID and password.
The process takes about five minutes if you have your new Apple ID credentials ready. Your iPad will sync with the new account, and you'll regain access to the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services tied to that ID. If you're switching to a brand-new Apple ID you haven't created yet, you can create one during this sign-in screen instead of signing in with an existing one.
Keep in mind that some apps and purchases tied to your old Apple ID may not transfer over. Apps you bought with the old ID stay associated with it, though you can often re-download them if they're available under your new ID's account. Photos and documents stored in iCloud will sync once you sign in with the new ID, but only if they were backed up to that account.
Key Takeaways
- Sign out through Settings by tapping your name, scrolling down, and selecting Sign Out, then decide whether to keep or delete your data.
- After signing out, tap Sign in to your iPad at the top of Settings and enter your new Apple ID and password to complete the switch.
- Apps and in-app purchases tied to your old Apple ID will remain associated with that account and won't automatically transfer to the new one.
- Photos, documents, and other iCloud data will sync to your iPad once you sign in with the new Apple ID, provided they were backed up to that account.
- The entire process typically takes five minutes and doesn't require a computer or additional software.
What happens to your apps and purchases
When you change your Apple ID, apps you purchased with the old ID stay tied to that account. You won't lose the apps already on your iPad — they'll continue to work — but you won't be able to update them through the App Store under your new ID. To update them, you'd need to sign back in with the old ID or delete them and repurchase under the new one.
In-app purchases and subscriptions are also linked to the Apple ID that made them. If you had a subscription to a service through the App Store (like Apple Music or a gaming app's premium tier), that subscription remains active on the old ID. You can cancel it from the old account's settings, or it will continue charging that ID until you do.
The good news: free apps don't require any Apple ID to keep using. Once they're installed, they work regardless of which account is signed in. Paid apps you already own will continue to run on your iPad even after you switch IDs.
Backing up your data before switching
Before you change your Apple ID, back up your iPad to preserve photos, documents, settings, and other data. The easiest method is iCloud backup: go to Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now. This creates a snapshot of your iPad that you can restore after signing in with your new ID.
Alternatively, you can connect your iPad to a computer and use Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows) to create a local backup. This method stores everything on your computer instead of in the cloud. Both approaches preserve your data, so choose whichever fits your setup.
If you choose to delete data when signing out (rather than keep it), you'll lose anything not backed up. Photos in iCloud, notes synced to iCloud, and other cloud-stored content will remain safe, but local files and app data may be lost. That's why backing up first is the safer route.
Restoring your data after signing in with the new ID
Once you've signed in with your new Apple ID, you can restore your backup. If you used iCloud backup, go to Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and look for the option to restore. If you used a computer backup, connect your iPad to the same computer, open Finder or iTunes, and select Restore Backup.
The restore process can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you're restoring and your internet speed. Your iPad will restart during this time, so plug it in and don't disconnect it until the process finishes. After restoration completes, your photos, contacts, calendar events, and other data will be back on your device.
Note that restoring from an iCloud backup made under your old Apple ID will restore that backup's contents, but your new ID will be the active account going forward. This means you'll have your old data but with your new Apple ID controlling access to the App Store and iCloud services.
If you forgot your old Apple ID password
If you can't remember the password for your old Apple ID, you can still sign out without it in most cases. When you tap Sign Out in Settings, you may be prompted to enter the password, but some older iPad models or configurations allow you to proceed without it. If you're stuck at the password prompt, try restarting your iPad and attempting the sign-out again.
If the password prompt won't go away, visit iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device to reset your old Apple ID's password. Once you've reset it, return to your iPad and use the new password to sign out. This approach works even if you don't plan to use that old ID again — it just unblocks the sign-out process.
As a last resort, you can contact Apple Support through their website or by calling their support line. They can help you regain access to your old account or, in some cases, assist with the sign-out process if you're locked out.
Switching to a new Apple ID you haven't created yet
You don't need to create a new Apple ID on a computer first. During the sign-in screen on your iPad, select Don't have an Apple ID or forgot it? and follow the prompts to create a new one directly on your device. You'll need a valid email address, a password, and a payment method (though you can skip adding one initially).
Creating the ID on your iPad takes about three minutes. Apple will send a verification code to your email address — check your inbox and enter the code to confirm. After that, your new ID is active and ready to use.
If you prefer to create the ID on a computer first, you can do that through appleid.apple.com and then sign in with those credentials on your iPad. Either method works; it's just a matter of which device you find easier to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my Apple ID delete everything on my iPad?
Not automatically. When you sign out, you're given the choice to keep or delete data. If you choose to keep it, your photos, documents, and other files stay on the device. Choosing to delete removes local data but preserves anything stored in iCloud. Back up first to be safe.
Can I use the same Apple ID on multiple iPads?
Yes. One Apple ID can be signed in on as many iPads as you own. They'll all sync content from that ID's iCloud account, so photos, notes, and other data appear across all your devices. This is useful if you have multiple iPads in your household or own both an iPad and iPhone.
What if I need to access apps I bought with my old Apple ID?
You can sign back in with your old ID temporarily to update or re-download those apps. Go to Settings, tap your name, sign out, then sign back in with the old ID. After updating the apps, you can sign out again and switch back to your new ID. The apps will continue to work.
Does changing my Apple ID affect my iCloud photos?
Photos already in iCloud will sync to your new ID if they were backed up to that account. If they were only backed up to your old ID's iCloud, you'll need to restore from that backup after signing in with your new ID. Either way, your photos won't be lost — they just need to be restored or synced properly.
How long does it take to switch Apple IDs on an iPad?
The sign-out and sign-in process itself takes about five minutes. If you're restoring a backup afterward, add 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of your backup and your internet speed. The total time from start to finish is usually under two hours.