It’s possible, but can be difficult, to separate a shared iCloud account.
A shared iCloud account refers to an iCloud account that multiple people use together to share data, apps, and services across Apple devices. This sharing can occur in several ways, but the most common scenario is through Family Sharing, a feature Apple offers to allow sharing while keeping individual accounts.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Types of Shared iCloud Accounts
Family Sharing (Recommended)
Apple’s official method for sharing iCloud services, apps, and media while keeping personal data private.
One person acts as the “Organizer” and invites up to five family members.
Features include:
Shared access to purchased apps, music, movies, and books.
Shared iCloud storage plans (e.g., 200GB or 2TB).
Shared subscriptions like Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+.
Location sharing and a shared family calendar.
Each family member keeps their own Apple ID, ensuring private emails, messages, and files.
Multiple Users on a Single iCloud Account (Not Recommended)
Some people may share one iCloud account (Apple ID) and use it across multiple devices.
Downsides include:
Shared access to all emails, messages, contacts, and photos.
Lack of privacy, as everyone has access to the same data.
Potential for conflicts in settings, backups, and app purchases.
Work or Group Sharing
Teams or groups may use a shared iCloud account to collaborate on files in iCloud Drive or to use a shared Apple ID for specific purposes (e.g., a shared calendar or notes).
Privacy and data overlap can still be concerns in this setup.
How do I setup a family sharing account?
Here’s how to set up Family Sharing on your Apple devices:
1. Set Up Family Sharing on the Organizer’s Device
The “Organizer” is the person who creates the Family Sharing group and manages shared purchases and subscriptions.
On iPhone or iPad:
Open the Settings app.
Tap your name at the top to access your Apple ID settings.
Select Family Sharing.
Tap Set Up Your Family.
Follow the on-screen instructions to:
Add family members by inviting them via email or iMessage.
Choose the features you’d like to share, such as:
iCloud+ storage
Apple Music, Apple TV+, or other subscriptions
Location Sharing
Purchases and App Store content
On Mac:
Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
Click your Apple ID at the top of the sidebar.
Select Family Sharing.
Click Set Up Family, then follow the prompts to invite family members and choose shared features.
2. Invite Family Members
You can add up to five additional family members. Here’s how:
In the Family Sharing settings, tap Add Member.
Enter the email address or phone number linked to their Apple ID.
They’ll receive an invitation via email or iMessage. They need to accept the invite to join.
3. Choose What to Share
Once the family is set up, decide what to share:
iCloud+ Storage: Share a 200GB or 2TB iCloud storage plan.
Subscriptions: Share Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and more.
Purchases: Share App Store purchases while allowing personal payment methods.
Location: Share locations with Find My.
4. Accept Invitations (For Family Members)
When a family member receives the invitation:
Open the message or email and tap Join Family.
Follow the prompts to confirm their Apple ID and accept the invitation.
Tips for Managing Family Sharing
Payment Method: The Organizer’s payment method will be used for shared purchases, but family members can still use their own gift cards or credits.
Parental Controls: For children under 13, you can create an Apple ID for them and enable parental controls.
Manage Sharing: At any time, you can add/remove members, change shared features, or leave the group from the Family Sharing settings.
How do I remove an account from family sharing?
To remove an account from Family Sharing, follow these steps depending on whether you’re the Organizer or a Family Member:
If You Are the Organizer
You can remove any family member from the group, including children (with additional steps for children under 13).
On iPhone or iPad:
Open the Settings app.
Tap your name at the top.
Select Family Sharing.
Tap the name of the family member you want to remove.
Select Remove [Name] from Family.
Confirm the removal.
On Mac:
Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
Click your Apple ID.
Select Family Sharing.
Click the family member’s name, then select Remove [Name].
Confirm the removal.
If You Are a Family Member
You can leave a Family Sharing group unless you’re under 13 or have restrictions enabled.
On iPhone or iPad:
Open the Settings app.
Tap your name.
Select Family Sharing.
Tap your name in the Family Members list.
Select Leave Family.
On Mac:
Open System Settings (or System Preferences).
Click your Apple ID.
Select Family Sharing.
Click your name, then select Leave Family.
Additional Notes
Children Under 13:
You cannot remove a child under 13 from Family Sharing directly. Instead, you can transfer them to another Family Sharing group or delete their Apple ID (this requires contacting Apple Support).
Shared Subscriptions: Removing or leaving a Family Sharing group means you’ll lose access to shared subscriptions, iCloud storage, and purchased content unless you’ve already downloaded it.
We have two users sharing one Apple Account with one ID, how do we separate their iCloud data?
Separating two users who currently share a single Apple ID into their own individual accounts can be a bit tricky, but it’s completely doable with careful planning. Here’s how you can create a separate Apple ID for one of the users while preserving their data:
Step 1: Decide Who Keeps the Current Apple ID
Choose which user will retain the existing Apple ID.
The other user will create a new Apple ID.
Step 2: Back Up the Data
Before proceeding, ensure the data for each user is safe:
Contacts, Photos, Notes, etc.: Verify the data is synced to iCloud by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
Use a computer or external drive to back up shared files that might get lost during separation.
Step 3: Create a New Apple ID for One User
On iPhone or iPad:
Go to Settings.
Tap Sign Out (at the bottom of the Apple ID settings).
Select Keep a Copy of data like Contacts, Calendars, and Keychain when prompted.
Turn off iCloud syncing for data that shouldn’t be shared anymore:
Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
Toggle off items like Photos, Contacts, etc., for the other user’s data.
Confirm that only the retaining user’s data remains synced.
On the New Apple ID:
After signing into the new Apple ID:
Merge local copies of Contacts, Photos, Calendars, etc., with the new account.
Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and enable the desired syncing options.
Upload files to the new Apple ID as needed.
Step 5: Manually Transfer Remaining Shared Data
Photos:
Use AirDrop or shared albums to move photos between devices.
Contacts:
Export contacts via iCloud.com (if necessary) and import them into the new account.
Notes and Files:
Share individual notes or move files to the new account’s iCloud Drive.
Step 6: Set Up Family Sharing (Optional)
To continue sharing purchases, subscriptions, and iCloud storage:
Set up Family Sharing with one of the accounts as the organizer.
Add the other user to the group.
Step 7: Verify and Finalize
Double-check that all data is correctly assigned to the appropriate accounts.
Make sure each device is signed into its respective Apple ID only.
Will Apple help me separate an Apple Account into two users?
Yes, Apple Support can assist you in separating an Apple ID into two accounts, but their involvement is limited. Apple prioritizes user privacy, so they won’t directly split an Apple ID or transfer data between accounts on your behalf. However, they can provide guidance and help troubleshoot during the process.
How Apple Support Can Help
Guidance on Creating a New Apple ID Apple Support can walk you through creating a new Apple ID and setting it up on a device.
Help with iCloud Data They can guide you on exporting and importing data like:
Contacts
Photos
Calendar events
Files in iCloud Drive
Troubleshooting Syncing Issues If data like photos or contacts doesn’t sync correctly, Apple Support can help you resolve these issues.
Device and Account Management Apple can help ensure that devices are properly signed out of the shared Apple ID and signed into separate accounts.
What Apple Support Won’t Do
Manually Split Data: They can’t log into your account or separate shared data like photos, notes, or contacts for you.
Move Purchases: Apps, subscriptions, and media purchased under one Apple ID cannot be transferred to another account. However, you can use Family Sharing to share these with the new account.
How to Contact Apple Support
Visit Apple Support and choose the category related to your Apple ID.
Call or chat with a representative to explain your situation.
Before Contacting Apple
Back up all shared data to ensure nothing is lost.
Create a list of specific questions or issues you need help with.
Know which user will retain the original Apple ID.
Will Denver Mac Repair help me separate an Apple Account into two users?
Denver Mac Repair can assist in backing up account data and new account creation, due to the personal nature of data there are limitations in our ability to separate specific files and information, contact us for more details.
