What to Know

• Go toSystem Preferences>Apple ID/Apple Account>Overview >Sign Outto sign out.
• Log into a new account by clickingSystem Preferences>Sign In.
• If you don't know the previous owner's password, ask them to sign out for you or log out remotely via icloud.com.

This article teaches you how to sign out of your Apple Accounton Mac and provides advice on what to do if the Apple Account sign-out box is impossible to click. 

How Do You Sign Out of Your Apple ID/Apple Account?

If you want to sign out of your Apple Account so that you can switch to a different one or not be signed in, the process is pretty simple.Here's where to look and what to do when signing out of your Apple Account on Mac.

1. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of the screen.
   

2. ClickSystem Preferences.
   

3. ClickApple Account.
   

   

4. ClickOverview.
   

   

5. Click Sign Out.

   If you've previously used iCloud on your system, clickKeep a Copyto keep existing data for select apps.

   

6. Enter your password to switch off Find My Mac and clickContinue.
   

7. You're now signed out of your Apple Account.
   

How Do I Log Into a Different Apple ID/Apple Account on My Mac? 

To log into a different Apple Account on your Mac, follow the instructions above to remove an existing account and log into a second account.

1. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of the screen.
   

2. ClickSystem Preferences.
   

3. ClickSign In.
   

   

4. Enter your Apple Account email address and clickNext.
   

   

5. Enter your password and clickNext.
   

   

6.  Enter your Mac's password and clickOK.
   

   You may also need to enter your iPhone's passcode.

7. ClickAllowto switch Find My Mac on.

8. You are now logged in.
   

How Do I Get Rid of Someone Else's Apple ID/Apple Account on My Mac?

If you've recently bought or inherited a Mac from someone, they may not have removed their Apple Account entirely from the system. The easiest way is to get them to log out of the system with their password, but if they can't physically get to you and aren't willing to share their password, there are other methods to remove the device from the account. Here's what to do.

You'll need to be in contact with the person whose ID it is.

1. Get the person to sign in to iCloud via the web.
   

2. ClickAccount Settings.
   

   

3. Click on the device they need to remove.
   

   

4. Click the x next to the device to remove it from the account. 
   

   Alternatively, they can erase the device viaFind iPhone>All Devices. 

   

Why Can't I Log Out of My Apple ID/Apple Account on Mac?

Sometimes, the sign-out button is 'grayed' out, meaning you can't click on it to log out. There are some simple ways to fix this problem, though. Here's a look at the best methods.

• Restart your Mac. Restarting your Mac will solve the bulk of the issues, often enabling you to press the button again. 
• Check your internet connection.Your Apple Account needs to communicate with the Apple servers. If you're not online, it may not be possible to sign out.
• Turn off an iCloud backup. If your Mac is currently using iCloud backup services, you won't be able to sign out while it's busy updating anything. Switch it off or wait for the backup to finish.
• Turn off Screen Time.One unusual error means that having Screen Time switched on can stop you from logging out. Click System Preferences > Screen Time > Turn Off to switch it off, then try again. 
  

• How do I reset my Apple ID/Apple Account password?

  If you forget your Apple password, go to Apple's IForgotAppleID website. On a Mac, sign in to iTunes and go toForgot Apple Account or Password, then follow the prompts to reset your Apple Account password.

• How do I create a new Apple ID/Apple Account?

  To create a new Apple Account, go to appleid.apple.com/account. Or, open iTunes and go toAccount > Sign In > Create New Apple Account.

• How do I change my Apple ID/Apple Account email?

  The steps to change the email address for your Apple Account ?depend on the type of email you used to create the account. If you use an Apple-supplied email, visit appleid.apple.com and go toAccount > Edit > Change Apple Account.