To sign out of iCloud on your iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, then tap Sign Out and complete the data-retention and authentication prompts. On a Mac, start in System Settings; on Windows, use iCloud for Windows; in a browser, use the account menu at iCloud.com.
Before signing out of a device, back up your data and let syncing finish. Keeping local copies can leave personal information on that device, so review those choices carefully if someone else will use it. Sign in only through Apple’s own app or website, and never share a code, password, or remote access with someone who contacts you.
The short version
- iPhone and iPad: Open Settings, tap your name, and choose Sign Out.
- Keep the device: Choose Sign Out But Don't Erase and review the data-retention prompts.
- Mac and Windows: Use your account in System Settings on Mac or Account Details in iCloud for Windows.
- Browser sessions: Use Sign Out for the current browser or Sign Out Of All Browsers for every iCloud.com session.
| Where you want to sign out | Where to start | Option to choose |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro without erasing | Settings > your name > Sign Out | Sign Out But Don't Erase |
| iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro with erasure | Settings > your name > Sign Out | Erase this [Device] |
| Mac | System Settings > your name | Sign Out |
| iCloud for Windows | Account Details | Sign Out |
| Current iCloud.com browser | Account photo or Account | Sign Out |
| Every iCloud.com browser | iCloud Settings | Sign Out Of All Browsers |
| Another device remotely | Apple Account website > Devices | Remove from Account |
Prepare your data before signing out
Finish syncing and make a backup before you remove your account from a device. Signing out does not delete your iCloud account, but your choices during sign-out determine what you retain locally. Review those choices before confirming.
If you need to review conversations first, you can access your messages synced with iCloud before signing out. Complete that check while you are still signed in, then continue with the steps for your device.
Sign out on an iPhone or iPad
Signing out ends your device’s iCloud sign-in; back up your data and finish syncing before continuing. Open Settings, tap your name, then tap Sign Out. To sign out without erasing the device, choose Sign Out But Don't Erase.
Review the data-retention prompts, then enter your device passcode or Apple Account password as requested. Tap Confirm and Sign Out to finish. These steps cover current iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro software; the iPhone flow applies to iOS 26 or later.
On iOS 26 or later, an account-selection prompt may appear after you choose Sign Out But Don't Erase or Erase this [Device]. If it appears, tap Sign out of iCloud and Store to continue signing out of both.
Choosing the erase option deletes the device’s local data, so back up and finish syncing before proceeding. To sign out and erase instead, open Settings, tap your name, tap Sign Out, then choose Erase this [Device]. Review the erasure prompts, authenticate when requested, then tap Sign Out and tap Sign Out again.
Sign out on a Mac
Signing out ends your Mac’s iCloud sign-in; back up and finish syncing before proceeding. Open the Apple menu > System Settings, select your name, then click Sign Out. Review the data-retention choices and click Keep a Copy if you want to retain a local copy.
Click Sign Out to continue. If you use Apple Pay, the final confirmation also removes its cards from the Mac. Click Sign Out and Remove Cards to finish that confirmation.
The System Settings route applies to macOS Ventura 13 or later. Remember that retained copies can leave personal information on a computer you give to someone else.
Sign out of iCloud for Windows
Signing out ends the iCloud app’s account session on that PC, so back up and finish syncing before proceeding. Open iCloud for Windows, click Account Details, then click Sign Out. Complete any remaining prompts shown by the app.
The latest iCloud for Windows requires Windows 11 or later. You do not need to download the app again simply to sign out of an existing installation. If you accessed iCloud through a browser instead, sign out through the website’s account menu.
Log out of iCloud in a browser
Signing out of the current browser ends that iCloud.com session. At iCloud.com, select your Apple Account photo or the Account button in the upper-right corner, then choose Sign Out. You can use this route in a supported browser, including on a Windows PC, and Apple notes that some Android devices can also use iCloud.com.
Signing out of all browsers ends every iCloud.com browser session, while device-level iCloud accounts stay signed in. To do that, select your account photo or Account, then open iCloud Settings. Select Sign Out Of All Browsers, then select Sign Out to confirm.
Sign out another device remotely
Removing a device from your Apple Account remotely signs that device out, although it can reappear if it remains signed in locally. Sign in at Apple’s account website, then select Devices. If prompted, click View Details and authenticate before continuing.
Select the device, click Remove from Account, then complete the confirmation. A device that remains signed in locally can reappear in your device list when it reconnects. For permanent removal in that situation, sign out on the device itself using its normal account settings.
Fix restricted or delayed sign out
If your iPhone or iPad says sign-out is restricted, a Screen Time passcode may be blocking the change. Turning that passcode off removes the Screen Time passcode protection. Open Settings > Screen Time > Manage Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, tap Turn Off Screen Time Passcode, and enter the Screen Time passcode. Then try signing out again.
When your Apple Account section is unavailable, open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If All Restrictions is enabled, find Privacy Restrictions > Allow Changes to Settings > Accounts, then choose Allow. Enter the Screen Time passcode if requested and try signing out again.
A child’s Screen Time controls may require a parent, guardian, or family organizer to make the change. For restrictions you cannot resolve through these settings, use Apple’s sign-out help for the next step.
On an iPhone with iOS 17.3 or later and Stolen Device Protection enabled, signing out can require a security delay. Start the normal sign-out process, authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID when prompted, wait until the delay finishes, then authenticate again. This generally applies away from familiar locations, or everywhere when protection is configured to always require the delay.
If your organization manages the device and prevents account changes, ask its device administrator to review the restriction named Modify account settings. Once the administrator permits the change, use the normal sign-out route for your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out on an iPhone also sign out its Apple Watch?
Yes, an Apple Watch paired normally with your iPhone signs out automatically when you sign out on that iPhone. For a family-managed watch, Apple directs you to unpair it instead, which erases the watch.
How do you sign out of iCloud on Apple TV?
On Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, removing the default account removes that user from the Apple TV. For the default account, open Settings > Users and Accounts, select your name, then choose Remove User from Apple TV. For an additional account, open Settings > Users and Accounts > your name > iCloud, then choose Sign Out.
Can you stop one app from using iCloud without signing out?
Yes, you can turn off selected apps’ iCloud use while keeping your account signed in. On a current iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro, open Settings > your name > iCloud, tap See All beside Saved to iCloud, then select the app and disable its iCloud use. Review any retention prompts before confirming.
Can you block access to iCloud data on the web without signing out your devices?
Yes, on iOS and iPadOS 26.4 or later, open Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud.com, then turn off Allow Data Access. This blocks web access to iCloud data without signing out your account, and it does not block Find Devices.
Does changing your Apple Account password sign out third-party iCloud apps?
Changing or resetting your primary Apple Account password revokes every app-specific password, signing out the apps that use them. This applies to third-party clients using app-specific passwords with an Apple Account that has two-factor authentication.