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• You can remove a device from iCloud in your Mac's System Preferences or in your Apple mobile device's Settings.
• Your Apple devices use iCloud to stay backed up and in sync. If you're no longer using a device, though, you should remove it from your iCloud account.
• If you acquired an Apple device that's still connected to someone else's iCloud account, contact the previous owner and ask them to remove it using iCloud.com. 

Most Apple users use iCloud to synchronize and backup their devices as well as to access some Apple services available through iCloud. When you stop using, give away, or sell one of your devices, though, you need to remove it from your iCloud account. You can do that using your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

How to remove a device from iCloud using an iPhone or iPad

1. Start the Settings app and then tap your account name at the top of the screen.

2. Scroll down to find the list of devices connected to your account. Tap the one you want to remove.

Remove your devices from iCloud via the device list in Settings. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

3. Tap "Remove from Account." You'll need to confirm you want to do this. 

How to remove a device from iCloud using a Mac

1. Click the Apple icon at the top of the screen and then choose "System Preferences…" 

2. Click "Apple ID" at the top right of the System Preferences window.

You can find your iCloud settings in System Preferences. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

3. In the pane on the left, scroll down and click the device you want to remove. Then click "Remove from Account..." You'll need to confirm you want to remove it. 

You should see the devices connected to your iCloud account. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

How to remove a device from an iCloud account you don't own

If you recently acquired an Apple device but can't start using it because it's still linked to the original owner's iCloud account, you'll need that person's help to reset the device and gain access to it. Contact the previous owner and ask them to perform these steps:

1. Open iCloud.com in a web browser and sign in if needed.

2. Click "Find iPhone." (Go here even if it's a different kind of device, like an iPad or an Apple TV.) The owner might need to sign in with their Apple ID.

3. Click "All Devices" at the top of the screen and then click the device to be removed.

The original owner needs to find the device in the list on Find iPhone. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

4. Click "Erase [device name]." 

5. Click "Erase." The device will be factory reset and removed from the iCloud account. 

Select a device and click "Erase" to remove it from your iCloud. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

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Related coverage from Tech Reference:

• How to log out of Find My iPhone on an iPhone running iOS 13, by using the new Find My app
  

• How to use the Find My iPhone feature for a Mac, to locate your computer if it's lost or stolen

• How to access iCloud Drive on an iPhone with the Files app, so you can work on and save documents across your Apple devices

• How to change the iCloud account on your iPhone, and use a separate account for iTunes & App Store purchases

• How to activate and access iCloud Drive on a Mac computer

Dave Johnson Freelance Writer Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider. Read more Read less

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