How to Fix “Account Limit Reached: Device No Longer Eligible for Creating Apple ID / iCloud” Error Messages

Mar 18, 2016 - 36 Comments

iCloud Most iPhone and iPad users will use the same Apple ID and iCloud account repeatedly on the same device and across other devices, as they should, since that is how they are designed to work. Nonetheless sometimes you may buy an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch on the used market and discover that someone has made and used so many different Apple ID or iCloud accounts on the device that an error message shows up when going through the device setup, saying that the device is “no longer eligible” to make an account. The exact error messages are “Account Limit Reached: This device is no longer eligible for creating a free iCloud account” and “This device is no longer eligible for creating an Apple ID”.

If you see an “Account Limit Reached” or “no longer eligible” message when trying to setup an iOS device, or when trying to create an account on a specific iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, then here is what you can do to fix it.

Before anything else you should make sure the iOS device is no longer associated with the prior owners account. The easiest way to do that is have the original owner disable Find My iPhone on the device (in Settings > iCloud) and then log out of iCloud on the device. If the person is not around to do that, they can remove iCloud and the Activation Lock remotely by using the iCloud.com website. After you have done that, delete the iCloud account from iOS so that you can proceed with creating and using a new one. Assuming there is no associated ID with the device anymore, you can proceed.

How to Get Around “Account Limit Reached: This device is no longer eligible for creating an Apple ID” Error and Make a New ID Anyway

This process can be started on any device or computer, with any web browser. You’ll need the original iOS device as well.

  1. Open a web browser on another device (or Safari on the device in question) and go to this webpage to create a new Apple ID at apple.com
  2. Go through the process of creating a new Apple ID and iCloud account as usual, you’ll need to use an email account that is not otherwise associated with an Apple account (if you forgot your Apple ID or password, reset it with these instructions instead)
  3. Make a new Apple ID to fix device not eligible error

  4. Back on the iOS device, go to Settings > iCloud > and enter the newly created Apple ID to login to the device
  5. Log in to iCloud

That’s it, you’ve created a new Apple ID and can log into iCloud on the device that moments ago was saying it was no longer eligible to do so.

This is a pretty rare situation to encounter, but it seems to pop up most common with older iPhone models that have been resold or handed down many times, particularly in families or on the used device market. So, rather than freak out and think the device is useless, just remember if you see the ‘not eligible’ error, just make a new Apple ID from a different device or different computer using the Apple website, and log in as usual afterwards. Easy!

Have another solution for dealing with this error message? Let us know in the comments.

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Posted by: Paul Horowitz in iPad, iPhone, Tips & Tricks, Troubleshooting

36 Comments

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  1. Doris Agyiri says:

    I have followed the same thing you said we should follow and still facing the same challenge can you please assist me or help me in making it work please

  2. Akinsete olusola says:

    I already created my Apple ID but can’t sign in and also exceeded the limit

  3. Offikwu says:

    I have exceeded my verification code on try to create new Apple ID pls help me what next do I do?

  4. Emmanuel says:

    I got an iPhone and I try to create Apple ID ,by trying I got exceeded on the verification code pls help me

  5. Favie SOsa says:

    I’m sorry it’s not helping me cos I wipe off my iphone and I have forgotten my iCloud password now I couldn’t login any more and I keep more trying please help me.

  6. Naseer says:

    We have same problem bruh what will i due

  7. Sandy says:

    Thanks it work…

  8. Caitlin says:

    Mine is doing exacly the same

  9. Ellie says:

    I brought a new iPhone 8 and it’s not letting me log in even after I have made a new Apple ID, it still says the number of free accounts are no longer available or something

  10. Tasmiya says:

    I already have an apple id in my iphone which is an existing apple id but i cant start using my icloud services…where yesterday it was alryt and then i did the factory data reset but after this i cant sign in my existing apple id in the same phone please help me out in this

  11. qman.dev says:

    You just solved my problem. These are some amazing tips… Thanks :)

  12. Shri says:

    Hi,
    I bought a new iPhone8 device and I selected the option to create apple id when I received the error message ‘This iPhone can no longer create a new Apple ID.Create a new Apple ID at appleid.apple.com’

    Does it mean this phone isn’t new???

  13. ajay says:

    Hello, I have done everything you guys said, but it just doesn’t work with me. The last owner deleted the iPhone from his account on iCloud.com. But when I try to log in I get “The maximum number of free accounts have been activated on this iPhone”

    What can I do? Please

  14. Bjay says:

    Hi
    My iPhone says the maximum number of free accounts have been activated
    What do I do??
    Thanks

  15. naira says:

    I’m using the advice you provided. if there is a problem i will be back here, thanks

  16. Mizz says:

    My 2nd hand iphone 5 had no account when I bought it, maybe before there is someone used it with his/her apple id. I created new id using web browser. And tried to login at this ip5 (which is currently no apple id anymore), but I still got “The maximum number of free accounts have been activated on this iPhone” error. No solution yet?

  17. Nana kwame says:

    Can I use someone’s Apple ID to create my own Apple ID ?

  18. Mukesh choudhary says:

    I am created a apple id via website using my gmail but now i cant sign in this id in my device due maximam free acount limit reached

  19. BaeLove says:

    I have created the apple Id on the website successfully but after I try logging in on my iPhone it’s say”could not log in” . My error message states please go to appleid.apple.com to create apple id. “No amounts reached or not eligible”

    PLEASE HELP

  20. Nik zeezo says:

    I bought the a used phone signed in my Apple ID but ccouldn’t log in my cloud account due to the reached maximum accounts.what should I do ?

  21. Lou Cole says:

    Phone apple as to speak to senior adviceor then ask for an extend apple id signin

  22. Anushka says:

    I’ve a problem with my iphone….
    When I try to sign in to my apple id I can’t sign in because the maximum accounts attached to the iphone… Please tell me how to fix it…..

  23. Ndayglamor says:

    Still says maximum account has been activated for this iPad help

  24. Brian MC says:

    Dear Sir/Madam,
    I have created an Apple ID on web by Gmail account and now I signed in from that account to my new iPhone. Then whether I have used 1 out of 3 free iCloud accounts or I have 3 free iCloud accounts remaining?
    Thanks
    Have a nice day!!

  25. patrick says:

    i am working for apple, this information is incorrect, you need support / an other device

  26. Gabriel says:

    Hello, I have done everything you guys said, but it just doesn’t work with me. The last owner deleted the iPhone from his account on iCloud.com. But when I try to log in I get “The maximum number of free accounts have been activated on this iPhone”

    What can I do? Please!!!

    • Faizal says:

      if you have a another iPhone, or if not, u can borrow your friends iPhone to create a New Apple ID and after finish, u can log in to your iPhone…. but firstly u have tu log out your friends Apple ID.

      If you already create Apple ID using iTunes or Apps Store, just log in to your friends iPhone iCloud to “Agree Agreement”.

      and remember, Do Not “MERGE” any data from your Friends iPhone..

      (^_^)… hope this method can help you to fix your problem.

    • karen says:

      the same thing happened to me.

  27. Dweep says:

    I have same prblm, can I creat Apple ID on an android device nd use it on my iPhone nd is iCloud nd iTunes & App Store should have only one account plz help

  28. Wharf Xanadu says:

    Works as advertised

  29. Alex says:

    I’ve had that problem with an iPhone 4S but the way I fixed it was by calling Apple – the iPhone was unlocked from Apple itself three days after.

  30. Frederick Silliman says:

    What do you in the case that you bought a second hand iPhone and it is still associated with an account and the previous owner is totally unknown and can not be found .. ??

    • Tamara L says:

      I would be after the person that sold it to me, since that’s the likely reason they sold it to you, because they knew they couldn’t use it. It’s essentially an expensive brick if you can’t reach the person that originally owned it. Activation lock is there and iCloud will keep it locked down.

  31. Good technique. Thank You for the solution to my problem, it fixed. I am having this problem before, but not now.

    Thank you

    Jignesh

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