I'm still learning how Apple Accounts work. My iPhone is currently signed in with my dad's Apple Account, and he said I can create my own account and sign out of his when the phone allows it. If I do that, will my apps, game progress, photos, videos, screen recordings, and screenshots be deleted? Will I be signed out of my other apps, and will my ten Gmail accounts disappear too?
3 Answers
Before making the change, back up the phone and confirm that your important photos and videos are actually downloaded. Also check whether your game progress is connected to a game-specific account rather than only your dad’s Game Center or iCloud account. It’s best to have your dad help with the sign-out, since Apple may ask for his account password or other verification.
When you sign out of the current Apple Account, the iPhone will ask whether you want to keep certain data on the device or remove it. Choose carefully, and make sure anything important is backed up first. Apps already installed usually stay on the phone, but apps bought through your dad’s account may require that account for updates, or you may need to buy them again under your own account. Game progress depends on how each game saves data—some use Game Center or iCloud, while others use their own login.
Photos and videos already stored locally should remain if you choose to keep the data when signing out. However, items that exist only in your dad’s iCloud Photos may be removed from the phone, so download or back up the originals before switching accounts.
Your Gmail accounts are separate from the Apple Account, so signing out of Apple should not delete them. They may remain in the Mail app, although you could be asked to enter a password again. The same generally applies to other apps: changing the Apple Account does not automatically delete their accounts, but some apps may sign you out or require you to log back in.
What happens to my photos, screenshots, screen recordings, and videos?