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The Tech Grandkid · thetechgrandkid.com/guides/shared-apple-account/

Contacts or texts mixed up with your spouse's? Give each person their own Apple Account.

For: iPhone

Last checked October 14, 2026 against official help from Apple. Written for iOS 27.

This happens a lot when a couple sets up two iPhones with one Apple Account. The fix is to give each person their own account, then link them with Family Sharing.

This page is for you if

  • You see your spouse's contacts on your phone
  • You get text messages meant for someone else
  • Your call history shows calls you didn't make

Why this happens

Apple says that when two people share one Apple Account, their data gets mixed together. You might get texts and voicemails meant for the other person, and your call history will show their calls. Some of your personal data could be seen by the other person, too.

Before you start

This is a bigger job. Set aside 30 minutes and do it with someone who can help. Before you start, back up the phone. Open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, tap iCloud Backup, then tap Back Up Now. Also know this: the person who owns the shared account keeps its App Store purchases, Apple Cash and Apple Card. Apple's backup steps

Do these steps

  1. Pick whose phone moves

    One person keeps the shared Apple Account. The other person gets a new one. Do the next steps on the phone of the person getting the new account.

  2. Open Settings and tap your name

    On that phone, open Settings, then tap the name at the top.

  3. Tap Sign Out

    Scroll all the way down and tap Sign Out.

  4. Choose Sign Out But Don't Erase

    Tap Sign Out But Don't Erase. Apple says this keeps most things on the phone, like contacts, photos and apps. Read the screens that follow.

  5. Confirm

    Enter the phone's passcode or the account password. Then tap Confirm and Sign Out.

  6. Make a new Apple Account

    Open the App Store. Tap the My Account button, then tap Create New Apple Account. Follow the steps to add an email address, make a password and pick your country. For payment you can choose None.

  7. Check your email

    Apple sends an email to the new address. Open it and follow the steps to confirm it's yours.

  8. Sign in with the new account

    Sign in with the new Apple Account on that phone. Now each person has their own.

  9. Join a Family Sharing group

    To keep sharing apps, music and storage, set up Family Sharing and invite the other person. See the Family Sharing guide.

Check it with the source

We wrote these steps from these official pages. If your screen looks different, the official page is always right.

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