Cannot create a new Apple ID

A message saying too many free accounts have been activated is discussed in the support document: If you see “The maximum number of free accounts have been activated” - Apple Support

Apple apparently limits excessive Apple Account creation, or iCloud activation of web-created accounts, on any one device per year (presumably a 12-month period). Your options are:

1. Use a different account that has already been set up on a device previously,.

2. Set up the account on a different device that hasn’t reached this limit (you can then use it on the device that displayed the message previously).

3. Wait until the time limit has passed.

You are welcome to contact Apple and check if they are willing to reset the count for you. I seem to recall they used to offer that in that article but have now removed it.

This support article has various country telephone numbers for contacting Apple for support and service ➔ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support Scroll down to “Connect with live support”. If your country is not in the list, go to the “Other countries” entry at the end of the list and click on the “options” link. Not every country has telephone support, and phone numbers may only work when calling from the same country.

For chat, you can try using the Apple Support App if it is available in your country.—> https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

For chat help with a USA Apple Account —>

https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0998&symptom_id=20198

You can create your account online and then simply log in with it, instead of trying to create it directly on the device.

click here ➜ How to create a new Apple Account - Apple Support

The real question here is why this device has been used to create so many accounts already in the limited period of one year allowed?

Seems odd so many accounts would have been created in one year already?

Welcome and thank you for reaching out. 🤗

According to Apple:

You have exceeded the number of accounts that you can set up with iCloud on a single device in one year.

Learn what to do if you can’t create an Apple Account or see “your account cannot be created at this time”.

Why did you see this message?

If you see “The maximum number of free accounts have been activated on this [device]”, it means that you have exceeded the number of accounts that you can set up with iCloud on a single device in one year.

You might see this message when:

• Signing in to an Apple Account you already created on the web, an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD or a third-party device, but have not yet set up with iCloud.
• Creating an Apple Account in Settings or System Settings on a device that has already been used to create other accounts this year.
• Signing in to an Apple Account that has web-only access to iCloud.

What should you do?

If you have another iPhone, iPad or Mac, you can try setting up iCloud with your Apple Account on that device. Sign in with your Apple Account, then follow the onscreen steps to start using iCloud. If you still see the same error, get suggestions on what to try next.

Or, if you already have an Apple Account set up with iCloud, sign in with that Apple Account instead.

Good Luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

Limnos wrote:

Phil0124 wrote:

You can create your account online and then simply log in with it, instead of trying to create it directly on the device.

Might not work:

"You might see this message when..

Signing in to an Apple Account you already created on the web, an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, or a third-party device, but have not yet set up with iCloud." - If you see “The maximum number of free accounts have been activated” - Apple Support

In which case the only recourse is to contact Apple Support as per that article.

If you still see the same error, get suggestions on what to try next.

Phil0124 wrote:

You can create your account online and then simply log in with it, instead of trying to create it directly on the device.

Might not work:

"You might see this message when..

Signing in to an Apple Account you already created on the web, an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, or a third-party device, but have not yet set up with iCloud." - If you see “The maximum number of free accounts have been activated” - Apple Support

Phil0124 wrote:

If you still see the same error, get suggestions on what to try next.

Out of curiosity I tried to see if that would provide a solution. It leads to the usual support pages pointing to support pages, none of which provide an actual solution. The only thing to do is as I suggested in my first post and throw yourself upon the mercy of the support team. They used to offer that but don't overtly anymore.

Click here for information. If you don't have another unit, use the link to contact Apple Support.

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