How can I resolve Apple Account association issues on my iPhone?

So tired of cancelling a transferring this message and have tried everything else suggested that I tried this - to **** with what I lost. As it turns out, all I lost was my personal phone configuration, my alarms, timers etc, biggest pain was I had to re load my payment cards to Apple Pay but the other things in my wallet were still there. All contacts, games, app content remained the same.

The biggest thing is it seems to have worked - so far - I haven’t had the message in 24 hours.

Thank you.

Refer to this support article about that message —> View and remove your devices that are associated with your Apple Account for purchases - Apple Support

‘When you try to associate a device that was previously associated, you might notice a message that says, “This device is associated with another Apple Account. You cannot associate this device with another Apple Account for [number] days.” You might need to wait up to 90 days to associate the device with a different Apple Account.’

New in 2024: It used to be Apple only talked about restricting app downloads and streaming for 90 days.

OLD POLICY

See and remove your devices that are associated with Apple ID purchases - View and remove your devices that are associated with your Apple Account for purchases - Apple Support - Read "More about associated devices" at the end where it refers to the 90 day wait. This applies to re-downloading past purchases (you can make new purchases), automatic downloads, and iCloud based services such as Family Sharing, Match, and Apple Music.

Exactly the same has happened to me with my iPhone SE!!!

Have this as well, called support but they are of no use!

Apple used to be good at software! Shame Apple!

Went to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset all settings.

It did not come back since then.

I’ve been having this issue for 9 weeks now, on an iPad that I bought new in 2021 and that no one else uses. I’ve contacted apple support about it, and ironically, I got the message as soon as I restarted the iPad per their instructions. It happens multiple times a day—when I’m browsing the internet, when I’m using an app, when I’m checking my email, when I’m streaming a video. I’ve selected “Transfer”, I’ve selected “Cancel”, but no matter what it keeps happening. Will it go away?

Thank you for this. This is the only thing I’ve seen that might help with the annoying, long-lasting bug. It’s weird that Apple seems so clueless or apathetic about it - I guess it simply hasn’t been widespread enough to get onto their radar. I’m stepping through the apps on my phone that might be the problem. It’s definitely NOT that I’m using a device previously used by someone else. I am not.

Hello,

I am new here and I have the same issue. My friend and I have already checked the account and followed some instructions, but we can't solve the problem. I hope someone can help us.

This is happening to my wife on an iPhone 11 that she’s had for 3 years.

Yup, me too - all I did was install the new iOS a week ago. Had my phone for 3 years, bought new from Verizon. Keep selecting ‘Transfer’ but makes no difference whatsoever. Pops up once a day.

Started for me too, iphone 12. Owned from new, only have one account and after updating to iOS 18, it wont stop popping up, even after clicking transfer.

He may have signed his account out of that phone, but I don't think he has removed/deleted it from his Apple ID account yet. His account should have a list of devices still associated with his ID and he needs to remove your phone from that list. There is nothing you can do on your end other than ask him to look again.

I have been getting this too since the 18.1.1 iOS update to my 2018 iPad Pro 12.9" and I suspected that it was something to do with that update. I bought this unit around 2019 and it was either new or refurbished directly from Apple (don't remember).

It does not tell you the existing account or the new one, and not knowing, I was concerned it was a virus trying to have me transfer the account to a hacker's Apple account, but this post gave me the confidence to click Transfer. I clicked Transfer and it is still registered to me. :-)

I agree. Spent waaay too long on Chat 'customer support' with an 'agent' who clearly had no idea what it was or how to fix. I was told that the 'solution' was to download all my apps that have been stored in the cloud. Sounded sus to me, but I did it anyway. no effect, naturally. Still getting the message multiple times each day. Clicked "Transfer" or "Cancel" multiple times. Turned my phone off and back on, looked for a software update, logged into Apple on the web. Nada.