How to Sign Out of Apple Music

To sign out of Apple Music on your iPhone or iPad, you must use the Settings app, as there is no direct sign-out option within the Music app itself. This process ends your Apple Music session on that specific device. Your playlists, library, and downloaded music will be removed from the device until you sign back in, but your subscription remains active unless you cancel it separately.

This guide details the different methods, what happens to your data, and how to sign out from other devices.

Quick Comparison: Sign-Out Methods

The method you choose depends on whether you want to stop Apple Music access only or sign out of your Apple ID completely.

Method	Best For	What It Affects	Data Retention (On Device)
Sign Out from Media & Purchases	Stopping Apple Music, App Store, and iTunes access only.	Apple Music, App Store, iTunes Store.	Downloaded music is removed. Other iCloud data (Photos, Contacts) stays.
Remove This Device	Unlinking a device you no longer use or own from your media account.	Ability to play purchases and use Apple Music on that device.	Varies; typically preserves local files until a reset.
Sign Out of iCloud Completely	Preparing to sell a device, switch Apple IDs, or fully log out of all services.	All iCloud services: Photos, Contacts, iCloud Drive, Find My, and media services.	You can choose “Sign Out But Don’t Erase” to keep personal data like Health, Photos, and apps on the device.

Method 1: Sign Out from Media & Purchases (Recommended for Switching Accounts)

This is the standard way to stop using Apple Music on your device while keeping your iCloud data (like Photos and Contacts) signed in.

Open the Settings app.
Tap your Apple ID name at the top.
Tap “Media & Purchases.”
Tap “Sign Out.”
Confirm when prompted.

What happens immediately: You will be signed out of Apple Music, the App Store, and iTunes on this device. Any music downloaded for offline listening will be removed.

Method 2: Remove This Device from Your Account

Use this if you are giving away, selling, or no longer using a specific device. This is done from the device itself or a computer.

On the iPhone/iPad:
1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases.
2. Tap “View Account.”
3. Scroll down and tap “Remove This Device.“
On a Mac or PC:
1. Open the Apple Music or Apple TV app.
2. Go to Account > Account Settings (Mac) or click your name and choose “View My Account” (Windows).
3. Click “Manage Linked Devices” and remove the desired device.

What this does: It unlinks the device from your account for purchases and subscriptions, including Apple Music. The device will no longer count toward your 10-device association limit.

Method 3: Sign Out of iCloud Completely (For a Full Reset)

This signs you out of every Apple service on the device, including iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple Music.

Go to Settings > [Your Name].
Scroll to the very bottom and tap “Sign Out.”
You will be given two critical choices:
- Sign Out But Don’t Erase: This keeps data like your Photos, Contacts, Health data, and apps physically on the device. It’s the right choice if you are keeping the device and plan to sign in with a different Apple ID later.
- Erase This [Device]: This is the secure option for selling or giving away your device, as it performs a factory reset.
Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm.

Note: A known issue in iOS 26 can cause persistent Apple ID verification pop-ups that may interfere with the sign-out process. If you encounter this, a force restart or checking for a software update may help before attempting to sign out again.

Signing Out from Other Platforms

To fully disconnect, remember to sign out on other devices where you use Apple Music:

Mac: Open the Music app. From the menu bar, click Account > Sign Out.
Web (music.apple.com): Click your profile icon in the top right and select “Sign Out.”
Windows PC: In iTunes or the Apple Music app, go to Account > Sign Out from the menu bar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does signing out cancel my Apple Music subscription?
No. Your subscription is tied to your Apple ID and remains active. You must cancel it separately in Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions.
What happens to my downloaded music and playlists?
Downloaded music is removed from the device when you sign out. Your personal playlists and library are stored in iCloud and will reappear if you sign back in with the same Apple ID.
Can I merge data from two Apple IDs?
Apple does not have a formal account merging process. Purchases like apps and music are permanently tied to the account that bought them. You can use Family Sharing to share subscriptions and purchases between accounts.
I’m getting constant password pop-ups in iOS 26 and can’t sign out. What do I do?
This is a known bug for some users. Try a force restart. If that doesn’t work, check for and install any available iOS software updates, as Apple often releases fixes for such issues.

Summary and Key Takeaways

To stop Apple Music access only, sign out from Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases.
To unlink a device you no longer use, “Remove This Device” from the same Media & Purchases menu.
For a full sign-out, use Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. Choose “Sign Out But Don’t Erase” to keep your personal data on the device if you plan to keep using it.
Signing out does not cancel your subscription and removes only downloaded music, not your cloud library.
Be aware of potential iOS 26 verification bugs and ensure your software is up to date if you encounter issues.

I hope this comprehensive guide helps you successfully manage your Apple Music access. If you are planning to sell your device, the “Erase This iPhone” option during the iCloud sign-out process is the most important step to protect your data.

How to Sign Out of Apple Music

You Might Also Like