After buying your iPhone, you need an iCloud Account to access Apple’s content, including the App Store, to download useful apps. You may want to have two iCloud accounts on your iPhone if you have one Apple device or separate your work from personal use. Whatever the reason, I will help you understand whether this is possible and how to navigate it.
So, can one iPhone have two iCloud accounts? One iPhone can have two iCloud accounts, but these accounts will serve different roles. The primary account is the main one and will be useful for iCloud photos, Drive, backup, music, apps, and purchases. The other additional account also called a secondary account, will be useful as an email account or for contacts, notes, and calendars.
Having all your accounts on one device ensures convenience as you navigate different apps and services. It is also money-saving, as you do not need to buy an extra device to access another iCloud account.
An iPhone is a classy tablet, and individuals who own it prefer it for its convenience and functionality. You can convert your iPhone into an office and still use it for your interactions. However, fitting all these in one account can be tasking which is why I will help you know whether your iPhone can accommodate two accounts and how they will function.
You can have two iCloud accounts on your iPhone. However, you will pick one to serve as a primary account. A primary account is useful for your iCloud Drive, backup, photos, apps, music, and purchases. You can use the other account with your contacts, notes, emails, and calendars.
Creating a second account on your iPhone requires you to have a primary account. This is because the secondary account is only useful for syncing emails, contacts, notes, calendars, and reminders.
To create your secondary account, navigate the Settings and pick one of the above functions it can sync. For instance, you can find and tap Calendar, Accounts, then Add account. While here, select iCloud and key in the account and password of the iCloud account you want to add.
This action will cause the device to which this account is already logged in to receive a verification code. Enter the six-digit code in your new iPhone, and you will see the second iCloud account on your iPhone. If you want to add a third, repeat the above process.
Since your iPhone can accommodate an extra account, it is vital to check whether there is room for this. Apple gives a website that has all the information about your iCloud accounts. By entering your name and ID, you can determine how many iCloud accounts you own.
To check your iCloud accounts, navigate to https://iforgot.apple.com/appleid. While on this website, enter your first and last name. Also, enter your email ID. If your credentials have an associated ID, the details will pop on the screen.
You can then tap on Go to your account to access your account using your credentials. On the other hand, if there is no account linked to your details, you will receive an onscreen message stating that Apple cannot find an ID matching your information.
How Many iCloud Accounts Can I Have on My iPhone?
Accessing all your iPhone services from one device is convenient and timesaving. Read on to know how many accounts you can have on your iPhone.
According to Apple, you can have a maximum of three (3) accounts from iCloud on your iPhone. This means that if you have three iPhones, you can create up to 9 iCloud accounts on these devices. Since this is a hardware limitation set by the company, meaning there is nothing much you can do to accommodate more accounts. Apple also has limitations on switching between accounts on your device.
As long as you have one iPhone, you can only have three iCloud accounts. Hence, if you want more accounts, you require another IOS device such as Mac or PC. You should also note that there are limitations on how much you can switch between your accounts.
If you frequently switch within a certain number of days, Apple may prohibit you from accessing content from the app store. This serves as a security measure in preventing stealing or sharing of content beyond family sharing.
Having multiple iCloud accounts is possible if you have been using Apple products for years. You can set these accounts for different purposes. While this idea is useful in some cases, it also has its setbacks.
For instance, if you switch your account on a device, you may wait up to 90 days to access app store services. Equally, if you have a new account and want to access a product you’ve purchased with another account, it will be difficult to access this product. However, you can solve the latter challenge through the Family Sharing option, but this comes with its issues.
In most cases, iPhone users utilize one account and use it across their devices. However, if you are using an old iPhone that created multiple accounts before, you will likely get an error stating that you have reached the maximum number of free accounts on your iPhone.
While there is no way you can extend Apple’s hardware limitation to accommodate the fourth account, there is a way you can work around and sign into your iPhone with a new account. For instance, you can create a new iCloud account on a different device to fix the error.
To do this, launch your web browser on any other device and visit Apple’s website. While here, click on Create Your Apple ID at the top right corner of the web page. This action will open a window requiring you to fill in your details. Key in an email that is not associated with an Apple account, afterward navigate to the Settings from your iPhone’s home screen.
On the Settings menu, tap Sign into your iPhone at the top right of your display. Key in your log-in details for the new Apple account and tap Next at the top right of the screen. At this point, you can sign in without getting an error.
Apple’s hardware limitation on creating new accounts ensures that you do not create more than three accounts on one device. This restriction also serves as a security feature. You can avoid the maximum account errors by skipping this step and using another device to create your account.
As stated earlier, this issue will be common to individuals using second-hand iPhones or those who have used Apple devices long enough to require up to three accounts. The limitation also works similarly in iPods, Macs, and iPads, and the best way to create a new account, in this case, would be using a web browser on any other device instead of achieving this from the Settings app.
It is now clear that you cannot create a 4th account on your Apple account, but you can explore three options with your account. First, you can try opening one of your older accounts to use with your device.
To do this, enter the email and password that you remember. If one of the credentials is wrong, try recovering it through the Forgot ID or password options. Secondly, you can use your current Apple ID to sign into your iCloud.
When buying an iPhone, most people are unaware that they can use their Apple ID to sign into their iCloud account and instead create a new one. This can be frustrating if your device has reached its maximum. Hence, if you have an active Apple ID, use it to sign into iCloud and access its services.
Thirdly, with the limitation on Apple ID’S on a single device, consider a second iOS device to create an iCloud account if you are really in need. If you do not own an extra Apple device, you can borrow a friend and create your new account, then use the details to log in to your iPhone.
How Do I Separate iCloud Accounts on iPhone?
If you have several iPhones, most likely, you have shared your Apple ID on these devices. This feature, unique to Apple, enables users to connect to a single ID and enjoy services including App store downloads, purchases, iTunes playlists, face timing, and sharing messages. Eventually, you may want to separate your iCloud accounts and I will guide you through this process in the section below.
To separate your iCloud accounts on your iPhone, navigate Settings, Your Name, and Subscriptions. While here, tap AppleOne, select Manage iCloud Storage Accounts, and tap on the Apple ID you want to assign your iCloud storage. Tap on Use this Account, enter your Apple ID and password, then Confirm. You should note that the Assign to your iCloud storage will pop if you are signed into the accounts on your device.
Another option to separate iCloud accounts on your iPhone is using Family Sharing. This option is suitable if you sign up for an Apple One Premium or Family subscription plan. To do this, add your accounts to the Family Sharing network. You can do this by navigating to Settings, Your Name, Family Sharing, and then Add Member. While here, tap iCloud Storage to select share your Storage with your Family Sharing Group.
Family Sharing is an ideal way to separate your iCloud accounts on your iPhone since Apple recommends against sharing of ID. With Family Sharing, your family can share purchases and subscriptions without personal details like email, passwords, and text messages. When sharing your Apple ID with your family members, some services will treat you as one person.
For instance, you will share the library and recommendations from your Apple Music family subscriptions instead of receiving your own. The same applies to Apple Store, iTunes purchases, and Books. With Family Sharing, you will also receive text messages intended for other family members and their fitness and health details.
Despite being a convenient alternative, Family Sharing has its setbacks. For instance, if you ever stop Family Sharing, only the owner of the Apple ID will keep the purchases, including the ones you initiated.
The bookmarks and Podcast episodes will sync based on other family members instead of yours. Also, your preferences may get deleted in the process, and this can disorient you. Despite these challenges, this option is better, and Apple encourages its users to consider it.
To create your family member’s Apple ID, sign out of iCloud on their device. Next, ask them to create an Apple ID, but if they are below 13 years, you should create an Apple ID for them. Afterward, they can then sign into iCloud with their new credentials on their device. While logged in, set up Family Sharing and invite them to your group, and once you set up purchase sharing, you can share your purchases and subscriptions, among other services.
You can be part of one family group at any given time. To invite someone to your family group, navigate to the Settings on your iPad, select your name and tap on Family Sharing. Next, select the Add Member tab and type the family member’s name or email address you want to add. You will see a pop-up of onscreen instructions that you should follow, then select the method you will send the invitation to and proceed with the rest of the instructions.
Wrap Up
iPhones boast technological advancements that allow users to undertake professional and personal tasks, hence the need for separate accounts. With an iPhone, you can have two iCloud accounts, with the primary one undertaking main functionalities such as backup, apps, and purchases. The secondary account is useful for secondary apps such as contacts, calendars, and notes.
According to Apple, you can have up to three iCloud accounts on your device. Trying to create a 4th account on your device will populate an error. Hence, if you are using an old device with a maximum capacity of iCloud accounts, you can borrow a device and use it to create your account and then log in.
Lastly, since Apple does not advocate sharing ID, you can separate your accounts via the Settings tab or use Family Sharing. Either way, you should protect your credentials from unauthorized persons to stay safe online.
