How to Setup iPhone Without Apple ID [2025 Complete Guide]

Can you set up an iPhone without an Apple ID?

Yes! You can set up an iPhone without an Apple ID, and while Apple encourages the use of an Apple ID for all features, you can skip it during the setup process. However, there are certain limitations to your iPhone without Apple ID settings, and you won't be able to access the following key features:

Service	Without Apple ID	With Apple ID
Basic Functions (Like Phone, Message, Camera)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
App Store	❌ No app downloads/updates	✅ Yes
iCloud	❌ No	✅ Yes
iMessage/FaceTime	❌ No	✅ Yes
App Services	❌ No	✅ Yes

How to set up iPhone without Apple ID

Are you wondering how to activate iPhone without Apple ID? Here are several effective methods. If you want to unlock Apple ID without password and set up your iPhone as a new one when you forget your Apple account or get a second-hand iPhone, you can use FoneTool Unlocker directly.

Method 1. Set up a new iPhone without Apple ID

How to skip Apple ID setup on iPhone? When you turn on your new iPhone, you can choose set up later in settings directly.

Step 1. Press and hold the device’s power button until you see the Apple logo.

Step 2. Follow the instructions until you see the Apps & Data screen.

Step 3. Tap on Set Up as new iPhone > Forget Password or Don’t Have an Apple ID > Set Up Later in settings under the Apple ID.

Then you can follow the on-screen instructions and finish the setup process.

Limitations:✎...

Some functions (such as Siri, Wallet) may still prompt for entering Apple ID.

Apple ID might be required after an iOS update.

Method 2. Create a temporary Apple ID

When you don’t want to disclose your personal information but need to use certain features or services, you can create a temporary Apple ID instead of a long-term account.

Step 1. Go to the Apple ID account web > Select Create your Apple ID.

Step 2. When you enter the information, you can use a temporary email address, false name, country, and region.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions to verify your email > Set up Apple ID using the temporary Apple ID.

When the process is finished, you can go to Settings > Your name > Scroll down and tap on Sign Out to log out of the temporary Apple ID.

Method 3. Set up iPhone without Apple ID & password

Set up iPhone with an old Apple ID but can’t remove it? Or set Apple ID on iPhone but forgot its password? Don’t worry. As a highly popular iOS unlock tool, FoneTool Unlocker can help you easily remove Apple ID without losing data, and use your iPhone as a new one.

★Highlights:

• Remove Apple ID when you forget or don’t know the password.
• When Find My is off, all current data will be kept.
• Powerful features offer a high success rate of up to 99.99%.
• Delete screen passcode without entering anything in simple steps.

Now you can follow the detailed steps to set up iPhone without Apple ID:

Step 1. Install and launch FoneTool Unlocker > Connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.

Step 2. Click the Remove Apple ID option.

Step 3. Enter a backup password > Ensure you remember the password > Click OK.

Step 4. Click Remove Now, then you can use your iPhone as a new one.

What happens when use an iPhone without an Apple ID?

Apple encourages users to create an Apple ID to access various features and services, it is not mandatory. You can also use an iPhone without Apple ID. But when you use an iPhone without Apple ID:

• You can’t download apps from the App Store.
• You can’t use iCloud to back up your data.
• You can’t use iMessage and FaceTime.
• You can’t access Apple services.

FAQs on setting up iPhone

Conclusion

Setting up iPhone without Apple ID is entirely possible. The easiest way is to skip the Apple ID sign-in process during iPhone setup. When you forget your Apple ID password or have a second-hand iPhone with the previous owner’s Apple ID, you can consider using FoneTool Unlocker to remove Apple ID without password easily.