The Problem of an iPhone prompting you to enter a Password for the previous or an Unknown Apple ID is usually reported by those who had inherited their iPhone from someone or had recently bought a used iPhone. Let us take a look at How to Fix the Problem of iPhone Asking For Previous or Unknown Apple ID Password.
iPhone Asking Password For Previous Apple ID
As you must be aware, your Apple ID is the Email Address that you make use of to login to the App Store and other Apple services like iTunes and Find My iPhone.
Your iPhone usually prompts you to enter your Apple ID and Password whenever you want to download Apps from the App store or use other Apple Services.
In case your iPhone is asking the Password for an Unknown or a Wrong Apple ID, it likely that the previous owner of iPhone has not removed his/her Apple ID from the iPhone.
This problem can also happen, in case your iPhone was borrowed by someone and the person who borrowed your iPhone ended up using his Apple ID to download an App on your iPhone.
Let us now take a look at How to Fix the problem of iPhone asking for the Wrong Apple ID Password in both cases – in case you had lent your iPhone to someone and also in case you have a second hand or an inherited iPhone.
iPhone Asking Password For Unknown Apple ID
In case your iPhone is asking a password for an Unknown Apple ID, it is likely that you had lent your iPhone to someone and your iPhone is asking you to enter the password for the Apple ID of the person who had borrowed the iPhone from you.
Luckily, the problem in such a case is easy to fix. All that you need to do is sign out of the Unknown Apple ID and sign-in back using your own Apple ID and Password.
1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. On the App Store, tap on Featured option located at the bottom left corner of your iPhone
3. Next, scroll down to the bottom of the screen and Tap on the Previous or Unknown Apple ID.
4. On the pop-up, tap on the Sign Out option.
5. While you are still on the Featured screen in App Store, tap on the Sign In option.
6. This time, Sign-in to the App Store by entering your own Apple ID and Password.
From now onwards, your iPhone will remember your Apple ID and prompt you to enter your Apple ID’s password anytime you download or update apps on your iPhone.
However, you need to be aware that the App installed by the other person is still available on your device and your iPhone will still expect you to enter your Friends password, whenever an update for this App becomes available in the App Store.
In such a case, you can choose not to Update the App or simply delete the App from your iPhone.
iPhone Asking Password For Previous Apple ID
In case the problem of an iPhone asking for the password of a wrong or unknown Apple ID is happening on a used iPhone, it is clear that the previous owner has not removed his/her Apple ID from iPhone.
In such a case, you will have to remove the old Apple ID from your iPhone and train your iPhone to ask for the correct Apple ID (Your Apple ID).
You can request the person who sold you the iPhone to either provide you with his Apple ID Password or enter the Apple ID password during the process of removing his/her Apple ID from your iPhone.
1. From the Home Screen of your iPhone, tap on Settings.
2. On the Settings screen, tap on your Name (See image below).
3. On the next screen, scroll down and tap on Sign Out.
4. Next, you will be prompted to enter the Password for the previous owners Apple ID. Enter the Password of the previous Apple ID or ask the seller to enter the Password and tap on Turn OFF.
5. Next, you will be prompted whether to keep a copy of your iCloud Data for Calendars, Contacts, Reminders and Safari on this iPhone. Choose not to keep any data on your iPhone and then tap on the Sign Out option located at the top right corner of your screen (See image below)
6. Next, you will be prompted to make sure that you do want to remove iCloud Data from the iPhone (See image below).
7. Tap on the Sign Out option to completely sign-out of the wrong or unknown Apple ID (See image above)
Now Restart your iPhone and follow the steps below
1. From the Home Screen of your iPhone, tap on Settings.
2. On the Settings screen, tap on Sign-In to your iPhone (See image below)
3. On the pop-up, enter your own Apple ID and Password to start using the device.
Remove Apple ID Without Knowing Password
There are cases where the person who sold you the iPhone may not be able to provide you with his Apple ID Password.
In such cases, you are better off not buying the iPhone from that person. There is really no way to remove an Apple ID from an Apple device without knowing the password.
As mentioned above, this is a security measure put in place by Apple to prevent stolen iPhone’s from being sold.
In case you bought an iPhone from someone and it still has the old Apple ID, it is recommended that you should immediately get hold of this person and ask him/her to remove the Apple ID from the iPhone or provide you with a refund.