Cancel, delete, disable an iTunes account
Can I cancel, disable or delete an iTunes account? Can I recover my lost iPhone apps without paying again for them? Can I have apps bought when being under multiple iTunes accounts on the same iPhone?
Here a bit of a story.
I’ve created by mistake 2 iTunes accounts and I’ve bought iPhone apps under both of these accounts. A few days ago after I’ve (finally) upgraded my iPod Touch to OS4 I’ve lost all the apps installed on iPod except those ones for each I did create a backup on my PC. Trying to install back some apps I’ve seen that some of my apps were installed while other not. This was happen because, like I said some were bought under a different account. I will explain you in the next lines how to install all your apps, even those ones purchased under a different account.
The question was if is possible to cancel / delete / disable one of those two iTunes accounts so in the future I won’t repeat the same mistake of buying apps using both my accounts. Unfortunately there is no way to delete an iTunes account nor to merge multiples in one single account. The only thing you can do to assure that you’re not purchasing apps under the wrong account is to set to none the payment method from your account page in iTunes and of course to pay attention when purchasing the apps to be logged in under the right account.
Still there is a good part, authorizing your computer to work under both accounts will make possible to have on your iPod Touch / iPhone the applications bought under different iTunes accounts. So, if you want all the applications you’ve bought to be able to install on your iPod or iPhone you will have to login into your accounts, one by one, into iTunes, and then go authorize your computer for each.
Here the detailed steps:
1. connect your iPod Touch / iPhone to your computer
2. fire up your iTunes
3. go login into your accounts one by one (click in iTunes on iTunes Store from left menu then click on your account – top – right – under the search button)
4. after each login go Store / Authorize This Computer
5. after you’ve repeating authorizing your computer for each iTunes account go sync your apps but don’t forget to select all you have in the left side. Failing to select them all will make you loose what you already have installed on your gadget.
Now you should have all the bought apps on your device, no matter under which of your iTunes account you bought them :)
And another tip before you go – if you’d lost an app when syncing you can get it back at a no cost! If you know exactly the name of it go buy it again. You should get an message that you’ve already bought that app and asking you if you want it just to download it again. Tap yes and hooray, you’d get back your lost app. Now before you go look for your lost apps to recover them, make sure you are login under the same iTunes account from the moment you purchase them. Otherwise you won’t receive any message and you will just pay again for the same app!
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.


I have a old iTunes account in which has a cancelled email which now want change on app store screen on my acct for me to update my apps—I have opened a new account but it still has old email address on my apps which I can’t down load due to old email address showing as my account on iPhone PLEASE HELP it’s driving me crazy!!!! All I want is to be able to get old email OFF so I can use new account to download my apps–I have tried everything!!!!
i had to set a new email account because someone got access to my old email.
i have now set up an new account.
but phone still shows old emails and keeps sending emails to this address to verify which im unable to.
how can i cancel old account information
also change set up on iphone
how can i get my account that i deleted back? i had to delete it because of fraud but now i need to get it back so i dont loose everythnig on my iphone when i update it and download new things? please help
I have read at least 30 web page entries from various sources. They all say pretty much the same thing. That same thing is what you’ve said here: “Unfortunately there is no way to delete an iTunes account”.
I don’t believe that for one minute. Why? iTunes clearly states that they reserve the right to close an account. That statement alone shows that it CAN be done. If it can be done to satisfy iTunes; It can be done to satisfy an iTunes customer.
If iTunes were to refuse to close an account in good standing; I think that refusal should be challenged in a court of law. Then we would know once and for all whether an iTunes account could be closed at the request of a customer.
my daughter has unknowingly used my visa card to open an iTunes account. Please tell me what she has downloaded and stop any further downloads, as from today 1.9.11. Since the start of august or so, she has spent just short of $300.00. i tried to do this yesterday, thought i was successful, but i see that something has already gone thru today 1.9. Please cancel this account or some how delete my visa card no ASAP. Please phone me anytime on my mobile to verify this bad situation. 0437 099 026 asap. many thanks to you. regards, clair barrow.
i am surprised that this is open for all to read!! not in confidence i see!!!! Not happy even further!!!
I have a student with a hacked itunes account. THe hacker has accessed her bankcard details as well. Trying to close her iTunes account. SUCH A RUN AROUND. IMPOSSIBLE TO DO.
Same thing has happened to me this moring and IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CANCEL AND NO ONE WILL HELP YOU! I HAVE BEEN ON THEIR TERRIBLE WEBSITE AND PHONE LINES ALL DAY…5 HOURS. They are an awful, awful company and I will never use or buy anything from them again ever. They have stolen cash from me from PayPal and “I should get it back in 2 weeks perhaps”. Meanwhile bank charges are adding up and there is nothing you can do. You cannot cancel and you cannot talk to people….just “I’m sorry I’m a phone center operator to refer you to their website. I can’t help you.” HORRIBLE COMPANY.
how do i delete on old account on itunes???
HOW DO I DELETE THE APPLE ID?
Hi I sold my old iPhone to a friend, however my iTunes still remains on my old phone. How can she remove my iTunes account from my old iPhone without jeopardizing my iTunes account on my new iPhone
I have my I tunes ID, my password, security questions and email contact all have been changed. How do I access the account to correct it or simply cancel the account?