How to Fix “maximum number of free accounts have been activated on this iPhone” Error
Are you unable to create a new Apple ID or iCloud account on your iPhone? More specifically, are you getting an error stating “maximum number of free accounts have been activated on this iPhone”? If so, you’re probably wondering what to do about it.
Apple limits iPhones and iPads to a maximum of three free iCloud accounts or Apple IDs per device. This is a hardware limitation and there’s nothing you can do about it. Typically, iOS and iPadOS users sign in with just one Apple account and use it across all their devices, so there’s no way you’re reaching the limit. However, if you bought a used iPhone that was previously used to create multiple accounts by its original owner, you may come across this issue.
Although there’s no way to get rid of this hardware limitation, there’s a workaround that you can use to sign in to your iPhone with a new Apple account. So, read on to learn how you can avoid this error.
How to Fix “maximum number of free accounts have been activated on this iPhone” Error
This is the only workaround that you can use to avoid getting this error on your iPhone. You’ll need to create a new iCloud account on a different device. So, without further ado, let’s take a look.
- Launch the web browser on any other device and head over to appleid.apple.com. Here, click on “Create Your Apple ID” located close to the top-right corner of the page.
- Now, fill in your personal details and make sure you’re using an email address that’s not associated with an Apple account. Finish creating your Apple ID.
- Now, go to settings from the home screen of your iPhone.
- In the settings menu, tap on “Sign in to your iPhone” located right at the top.
- Enter the login details for the Apple account that you just created and tap on “Next” located at the top-right corner of your screen.
Now you should be able to sign in to the device without getting the same error.
The hardware limitation here is that you can simply cannot create more than three new iCloud or Apple accounts on a single device. However, by skipping that step and using a different device for creating a new account, you can avoid getting this error.
This issue is mostly faced by people who’ve purchased second-hand iPhones, and it’s not entirely clear why this feature exists. Maybe Apple added this limit to stop people from abusing the free 5 GB iCloud storage space that comes with every Apple account, or perhaps as a way to reduce device churn.
Although we were focusing specifically on iPhones in this article, this limitation is also applicable to other Apple devices like iPads, iPods, and even Macs. Therefore, the best way to make a new iCloud account without affecting the limit would be by using the web browser on any of your other devices rather than doing it via Settings.
We hope you were able to work your way around the “maximum number of free accounts have been activated on this iPhone” Error. How do you feel about this hardware limitation? Should Apple increase this limit or remove it all together? Do you have any additional insight as to why this feature exists, or another approach to get around it? Share your thoughts, experiences, and insight in the comments.
U r a genius man. U made my life amazingly satisfying
i tried this method but this method isn’t working. do we have any other solution for this error if anyone knows please let me know
Open Safari browser, go to myaccount.google.com
Click on the profile circle at the top right.
Scroll to the bottom and sign out of all accounts.
After that, you should also be able to remove any old accounts you don’t want on there.
Signing out of Google accounts is not going to have any impact on your Apple iCloud accounts, they are different accounts with different companies
Please am still facing the same issue about my iCloud I did what you u said buh still
Open Safari browser, go to myaccount.google.com
Click on the profile circle at the top right.
Scroll to the bottom and sign out of all accounts.
After that, you should also be able to remove any old accounts you don’t want on there.
I’m facing same problem I cannot use my iPhone anymore
I followed this procedure as you taught but keeps saying the same thing
Is working on App Store but is not working on iCloud!!!!!! Am still having dat same problem here😒
I’m totally fed up of using iPhone I swear
I’ve been trying to log in my account is just telling that the maximum account is full. What’s the f…
Yess it works, but if I try to use my iCloud y gives me same error. 🥺
I’m having issues on how to log in to my iPhone the maximum number is exceeded what will i do
Please am still facing the same issue about my iCloud I did what you u said buh still
It worked buh the iCloud space is off I can’t still use it
its worked
Guys it worked after I saw a comment… Go to App Store and try downloading something, it will ask you to enter ID and then it will work
yowww thanksss it workeddd
!!!
Thank you, this worked for me as well. Genius!w
I have try this procedure but still showing up maximum account
Well have tried this process but keeps giving me maximum account message what will I do
nope didnt work email used by another apple id this email address is not available choose a different address. now what
login with safari .. it would automatically log you on the app
still having problems
I’m also having the same problem here but I try going through the same procedure and you!! It accurately worked 💪
I want to create an Apple ID but my maximum number of creating is up
I HAVE FIXED IT. IF YOUR SIGNED IN SIGN OUT THEN GO TO APP STORE AND TRY TO DOWNLOAD SOMETHING AND WHEN IT SAYS YOU NEED TO SIGN IN THE SIGN IN THROUGH THE APP STORE THEN DO THE ORHER STUFF AND THAT WILL SIGN YOU IN TO THE APPLE ID
YO THIS ACTUALLY WORKED! i made an account to praise you and you have saved me hours of research. Thank you and I hope you are as successful as Leonardo DiCaprio
I tried using this method but I keep getting same messages.. I have asset in my crypto wallet on this device worth over $450k pls some should help me or contact me on my email
The mixmum free account
Have try that process it keeps showing the same thing
Please maximum of Apple ID should be removed because right now i can’t use my iPhone now
Well have tried this process also but keeps giving me “maximum account” message
Well it’s still enforced and I just wasted $300 on an iPhone X than I have no use for now! And I can’t comment this cuz it say I’ve already commented this comment for some reason.
It no letting me to sign in it only repeating the Same thing what must I do
I am change to sign to my new account and it not letting me sign to it keep say the maximum number of free accounts have been actived on this I pod touch
Maximum number of free ac then what can I do in my I phone iTunes is not seen
It’s an archaic limitation and should no longer be enforced.