Without any doubt, we must say that Apple did a great job with the iOS 17 update as they added some new and cutting-edge features. Most of the users are enjoying the innovative feature, but some users are reporting that sign-out is not available due to restrictions on iOS 17. Here we are going to discuss this issue and solutions.
What Is iOS 17’s Screen Time Restrictions?
Screen Time is Apple’s built-in tool for monitoring and restricting device usage across various categories like apps, websites, and overall daily limits. In iOS 17, Apple introduced the ability to also apply these restrictions to various system-level account actions like installing/deleting apps, changing privacy settings, and signing out of Apple ID accounts.
The purpose is to give a parent or guardian greater oversight and control for children’s device usage and access permissions. However the expanded restrictions can occasionally impact a personal device owner’s ability to perform account actions like signing out or changing passwords.
How Screen Time Prevents Sign Outs in iOS 17
Based on user reports, it appears that having certain Screen Time restrictions enabled relating to account changes and permissions can block you from fully signing out of or resetting your Apple ID account when attempting to do so under the main iPhone Settings menu.
Instead you may encounter errors like:
“Sign Out is not available due to restrictions.”
Or when trying to reset the account the process fails with no clear messaging explaining why. This understandably causes great frustration if you as the owner want to sign out of your personal iPhone due to selling it, allowing a family member borrow it temporarily or wiping it for a trade-in.
Multiple Ways to Fix iOS 17 Sign Out Restrictions Issue
Thankfully there are a few different options to reclaim the ability to sign out of your Apple account on an iPhone or iPad even with Screen Time active.
Temporarily Disable Screen Time
The simplest solution is to temporarily disable Screen Time device-wide under Settings. Navigate to Settings > Screen Time and toggle the switch found at the top to off. Now attempt to sign out of or reset your account via Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. Remember to turn Screen Time restrictions back on after if still needed.
Adjust Specific Account Restrictions
A second method is to leave Screen Time enabled but adjust the specific restrictions blocking the ability to make account changes. Open Screen Time settings, go to Content & Privacy Restrictions, input your device passcode then navigate to Account Changes. Toggle permissions to “Allow” instead of “Don’t Allow” for the options like Delete Apps, Install Apps and Change Passwords. Now retry signing out.
Remove Apple ID Completely From Device
If adjusting restrictions fails and you still cannot sign out or change your password, the last resort may involve completely removing your Apple ID account from the device to wipe the slate clean. This will remove all locally saved data and you’ll have to reinput your account during device setup. An app like iMyFone Fixppo can facilitate full removal for you.
While Apple likely added expanded Screen Time restrictions in iOS 17 with good intentions, sometimes they end up blocking legitimate use cases for account owners like signing out or resetting passwords. But thankfully there are a few workarounds detailed above – either temporarily disabling Screen Time, adjusting specific restrictions or removing your Apple ID account entirely.
Contact Apple Support
If none of these resolution steps provide success, you should contact Apple Support directly about the inability to sign out of your personal Apple ID in iOS 17. Apple can investigate why expanded Screen Time restrictions are still interfering even after adjusting permissions.
Providing details like your iOS version, Screen Time settings, device model and screenshots of any error messaging aids their troubleshooting process. Apple Support can validate if there is a software bug blocking sign outs unrelated to Screen Time. If a system issue, you can request they escalate to engineering.
Feedback
While Apple continues working to improve iOS parental controls and permissions settings, remember you have options to regain access and properly sign out of your own personal iPhone or iPad when needed. Adjusting a few key restrictions pertaining to accounts and passwords should prevent Screen Time and other features from erroneously blocking legitimate account management activities moving forward. If you need more help with the same, feel free to ask us via the comment box.