7 Ways to Unsync iPhone from iPad or Another iPhone

Quick Tips

• If you want to completely unsync the iPhone from iPad or other devices, use different Apple IDs on each device.
• To do so, sign out of Apple ID from the secondary device and sign in with a different Apple ID.
• Another great option is to disable iCloud sync for apps and services you don’t want to be synced.

Method 1. Remove Apple ID to Disconnect Your iPhone and iPad Completely

The data from your iPhone shows on other Apple devices like your iPad or iPhone because these devices are using the same Apple ID. So, if you want to disconnect your iPhone from your iPad, another iPhone, or un-sync Mac, you just need to use separate Apple IDs.

This should be done swiftly if someone else is using your second device. For instance, if you have given your iPad or another iPhone to your kids or wife/husband, try to use separate Apple IDs on each device.

To use separate Apple IDs, you must first log out from the existing Apple ID on your second iPad or iPhone. Then, log in again with a different Apple ID. Here’s how:

Steps to Sign Out of Apple ID

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPad or another iPhone. We recommend doing it on your secondary device and not your primary device.

Step 2: Tap your name at the top. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Sign Out.

Step 4: You might be asked to enter the password of your Apple ID. You will also be asked if you want to keep a copy of your iCloud data. Select the data that you want to keep. Finally, tap on Sign out.

Tip: You will be logged out of your Apple ID on the secondary device. Learn what happens when you sign out of Apple ID.

Sign in With a Different Apple ID

Step 1: Open the Settings app again. Tap ‘Sign in to your iPhone.’  

Step 2: Enter the Apple ID details. If you don’t have one, tap on ‘Don’t have an Apple ID or forgot it?’ to create a new one.

Tip: Check out different ways to remove a device from Apple ID.

Unsync Specific Apps and Services

Method 2. Disable iCloud Services

If you want to stop an iPad and iPhone from syncing without disconnecting Apple ID, you can turn off iCloud services. When iCloud is enabled, the data from the enabled services, like Photos, Messages, Contacts, Safari, etc., get stored in the iCloud storage.

Additionally, it syncs from your iPhone to other Apple devices where you are logged into the same Apple ID. So, if you want to stop syncing between Apple devices, turn off iCloud for specific services on all or one device.

Note: If you turn off sync from the primary device, the data from this device will not be backed up to cloud storage.

Step 1: Open Settings on iPad or secondary phone.

Step 2: Tap your name at the top. Select the iCloud option.

Step 3: Tap on Show All under Apps using iCloud.

Step 4: You will see all the apps synced to iCloud. Turn off the toggle next to the apps whose data you don’t want to show on your iPad or another iPhone.

Step 5: For some apps like Photos, Notes, Messages, Mail, etc., you must tap on the app name and then turn off the toggle next to Sync this iPhone.

Tip: Learn how to clear iCloud storage.

Method 3. Turn off Handoff

Handoff is a special feature on Apple devices that lets you start an action on one device and pick it up on another Apple device, provided you are using the same iCloud account.

For instance, you can start a browsing session on your iPhone and continue the same on your iPad. To turn off this behavior, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone. Go to General.

Step 2: Select Airplay & Handoff.

Step 3: Turn off the toggle next to Handoff.

Method 4. Stop Sharing Messages Between iPhone and iPad

If you want to stop your SMS from showing up on your secondary iPhone or iPad, turn off Messages in iCloud as shown in method 2 above. However, to disconnect iPad from showing iPhone iMessage, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPad.

Step 2: Go to Messages. Turn off the toggle next to iMessage.

Alternatively, tap Send & Receive and uncheck the number or email ID that receives iMessages on your primary iPhone.

Note: Learn how to change the phone number associated with Apple ID or use iMessage without SIM or phone number.

Method 5. Prevent Incoming iPhone Calls from Ringing on Your iPad

If your iPhone calls keep coming on your iPad, you must unsync calls between iPhone and iPad as shown below:

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on Mobile Data (or Cellular Data). Next up, go to ‘Calls on Other Devices.’

Step 3: Turn off the toggle next to ‘Allow Calls on Other Devices’. Alternatively, you can turn off the toggle next to any individual device.

Step 4: Open Settings on your iPad.

Step 5: Go to FaceTime and turn off the toggle next to Calls from iPhone.

Method 6. Prevent Apps From Downloading on iPad

To stop iPhone apps from downloading automatically on iPad or secondary iPhone, turn off App Downloads on the secondary device as shown below:

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPad or secondary iPhone.

Step 2: Go to the App Store. Then toggle next to App Downloads.  

Step 3: Do the same on your iPhone as well if you don’t want apps from your iPad to download on your iPhone.

Method 7. Stop Sharing Focus With iPad

If your iPad keeps going silent when you turn on Do Not Disturb Focus on your iPhone or vice versa, you must disable the sharing of Focus between Apple devices as shown below:

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on Focus. Next, turn off the toggle next to Share Across Devices.

Step 3: In case you don’t want to share the Focus with one device only, then turn off the Share Across Devices setting on that particular device only.

That’s it! This will help you stop sync between your Apple devices, primarily iPad and iPhone.

FAQs About Disconnecting iPhone and iPad