Quick Overview
Signing out of your App Store ID can be done right from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Just go to Settings > iTunes & App Store, tap your Apple ID, then tap Sign Out. You can sign back in anytime with your Apple ID password. Signing out is useful if you need to switch to a different Apple ID or want to fully sign out for security purposes.
Steps to Sign Out of App Store ID on iPhone or iPad
Here are the detailed steps to sign out of your App Store ID on an iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
- Scroll down and tap on your name at the top, under Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Store.
- Tap on iTunes & App Store.
- Tap on your Apple ID at the top (it’s the same email you use for iCloud).
- Tap Sign Out. Confirm by tapping Sign Out again.
That’s all there is to it! You are now signed out of your App Store account on this device. You can follow these same steps to sign in again at any time with your Apple ID and password.
Detailed Steps
Here are more detailed steps with screenshots showing exactly how to sign out from the App Store on iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app from your home screen. The Settings app icon looks like grey gears.
- Scroll down on the Settings menu and tap on your name at the very top. Your name appears under the headings “Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Store”.
- On the next screen, tap on iTunes & App Store.
- Now you should see your Apple ID listed at the top of the screen. Tap on your Apple ID.
- Finally, tap on the Sign Out button. A confirmation message will appear – tap Sign Out again to fully sign out.
That’s it! You are now signed out of your App Store account on this iPhone or iPad. The App Store will switch to a different Apple ID if you have one available on this device, or prompt you to sign in the next time you try to download an app.
Switching to a Different Apple ID
If you have multiple Apple IDs you use on your devices, signing out is useful to switch between different accounts and their associated app purchases and subscriptions.
Here’s how to switch to a different Apple ID after signing out:
- Sign out from your current Apple ID following the steps above.
- Launch the App Store app.
- You will be prompted to sign in with an Apple ID. Enter the email and password for the different Apple ID you want to switch to.
The App Store will now be associated with the new Apple ID. You can repeat these steps to switch back to your original ID anytime.
Why Sign Out of App Store ID?
Here are some of the main reasons you may want to sign out of your App Store ID on an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch:
Use a Different Apple ID
As mentioned above, signing out lets you easily switch between different Apple IDs if you have more than one. This allows you to access purchases, subscriptions and app data associated with different accounts.
Sign in on New Device
When setting up a brand new iOS device, signing out from your old device first will allow you to start fresh with that Apple ID on the new device.
Troubleshoot Account Issues
If you are having problems with app updates, purchases, subscriptions or other account-related issues, signing out and back in may resolve the problem.
Protect Account Security
Signing out reduces the risk of unauthorized access if your device is lost or stolen. It adds an extra step of having to enter the password to gain access to your apps and data.
Reset App Store Settings
Signing out and back in will reset various App Store settings associated with your account. This can fix problems and refresh your account details.
Share a Device with Family
On shared family devices, signing out allows quickly switching between family members’ accounts and keeping content separate.
What Happens When You Sign Out of the App Store?
Here are some key things that happen when you sign out of the App Store on an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch:
- You will need to enter an Apple ID and password to download apps, music, books, etc. The store switches to a “Welcome” message prompting you to sign in or create a new account.
- Any apps previously downloaded under that Apple ID remain on your device and still function. However, updates will not download until you sign in again.
- You will lose access to any subscriptions associated with that Apple ID, like Apple News+, Apple Music, Apple TV+, etc. You cannot access the content.
- Music, movies, books and other media purchased with the Apple ID will also be inaccessible.
- You will be signed out from associated iOS services like iCloud, FaceTime and iMessage.
- Apple Pay will stop working until you add a valid payment method again while signed in.
- You will lose access to Keychain passwords and some app data associated with the account.
In summary, any content, apps or services tied to your Apple ID will be inaccessible when signed out. But nothing is deleted from the device – sign in again any time to restore access.
Important: Don’t Sign Out if Using Find My iPhone
One very important note is that you should NOT sign out if you have Find My iPhone enabled for the lost and found benefits. Here’s why:
- Find My iPhone uses your Apple ID to help locate your device if lost or stolen.
- If you sign out, it will break the connection and Find My iPhone will stop working.
- Don’t disable Find My iPhone or sign out if it is currently helping you track down a lost device!
The exception is if you are transferring a device to a new owner. Only then should you sign out of your Apple ID and turn off Find My iPhone to allow the new owner to access the device freely.
How to Sign Back in to the App Store
Once signed out, signing back in to your App Store account is simple:
- Launch the App Store app.
- You will see the Welcome screen – tap on either Sign In or Create New Apple ID.
- On the next screen, enter your Apple ID (the email you use for iCloud) and tap Next.
- Enter your password and tap OK.
If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you may need to enter a verification code from your trusted device as well.
That’s it! You will be signed back in to your App Store account, regaining access to your purchased content, subscriptions, Keychain and more.
Fixing App Store Sign In Issues
In some cases, you may encounter problems signing back in to the App Store after signing out. Here are some tips to fix sign in issues:
Make Sure You Have an Internet Connection
Your device will need an internet connection to communicate with Apple’s servers to sign in. Try connecting to Wi-Fi or disabling Airplane Mode.
Check Your Apple ID and Password
Be sure you are entering the correct Apple ID (typically your iCloud email) and the right password associated with it. If you’ve forgotten, you can reset your password at iforgot.apple.com.
Two-Factor Authentication Code
If you use two-factor authentication, check your trusted device for the verification code to enter. If you don’t have access to this device, you can get a backup code from account.apple.com to sign in.
Update your Device
Make sure your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is updated to the latest iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check. Updating can resolve App Store bugs.
Contact Apple Support
If you still can’t sign in after trying the above steps, contact Apple Support for personalized help troubleshooting your sign in issues.
Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication Temporarily
As a last resort if you cannot get a verification code and are locked out of your account, you can temporarily turn off two-factor authentication:
- Go to appleid.apple.com and click Manage your Apple ID.
- Enter your Apple ID password to confirm your identity.
- Under Security, click Edit.
- Turn off Two-Factor Authentication, then sign out and back into your Apple ID on your device.
- Once signed in, re-enable two-factor authentication for added security.
This should allow you to sign in without the code so you can access your account and trusted devices again. Just remember to turn two-factor back on after signing in.
Conclusion
Signing out of your App Store ID is simple – just visit Settings > [Your Name] > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > Sign Out. This will disable access to apps, purchases and subscriptions tied to that account. Sign back in anytime with your Apple ID and password. Knowing how to sign in and out of the App Store is useful for switching accounts, setting up new devices, troubleshooting issues or enhancing security. Just don’t sign out if you need access to Find My iPhone. With this guide, you’ll be able to effortlessly manage your App Store accounts.
