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All devices on same Apple ID. Best way to fix?

I have 3 family members who’s phones use my same Apple ID. How do I best get them on their own Apple IDs to connect them as family member devices in a group without them losing all of their data (contacts, etc)?

iPhone X

Posted on Sep 1, 2019 10:34 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 1, 2019 10:37 AM

There may be some data loss, but you can minimize it. If syncing photos with iCloud, ensure Optimization is turned off in Settings/Your Name/iCloud/Photos and/or in Photos/Preferences/iCloud. Then make sure full resolution photos are on the device/computer. When signing out of iCloud, if asked whether you want to retain data, choose yes. Messages conversations will be lost if they are addressed to the ID. See the article below for other places that the old ID should be removed. See Winston Churchill's response in the below discussion. Also set up Family Sharing to keep access to your apps/purchases. 


Apple ID – Create


Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child


How to transfer all files from one iCloud account to another


 Apple ID email address or password - What to do after you change


Family Sharing


Family Sharing - Set up

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 1, 2019 10:37 AM in response to orestes114

There may be some data loss, but you can minimize it. If syncing photos with iCloud, ensure Optimization is turned off in Settings/Your Name/iCloud/Photos and/or in Photos/Preferences/iCloud. Then make sure full resolution photos are on the device/computer. When signing out of iCloud, if asked whether you want to retain data, choose yes. Messages conversations will be lost if they are addressed to the ID. See the article below for other places that the old ID should be removed. See Winston Churchill's response in the below discussion. Also set up Family Sharing to keep access to your apps/purchases. 


Apple ID – Create


Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child


How to transfer all files from one iCloud account to another


 Apple ID email address or password - What to do after you change


Family Sharing


Family Sharing - Set up

Sep 1, 2019 10:43 AM in response to orestes114

The best way is to assign an adult AppleID as the family organizer and create a family share iCloud account.


Have the the other two create new AppleIDs using preexisting email accounts.

Once they are created sign out of the previous Apple ID on the devices. When they sign out they’ll be prompted with messages that ask if they want to keep or erase the iCloud data on the phone. KEEP THE DATA. Once the new Apple IDs are signed in, make sure all of the content they want backed up is selected in the iCloud settings, then do a back up. After the back up have the family organizer (the main Apple ID that’s currently being used) invite the two newly created AppleIDs to the family. Once the invitations are accepted you can choose to share purchases, music, contacts, location etc.


The best advice I can offer is to read the prompts on your devices carefully before choosing a response and see the articles Apple has available about family share, transferring iCloud data and creating Apple IDs.

All devices on same Apple ID. Best way to fix?

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