“I repeatedly get the notification called “Sign out is not available due to restrictions” on my iPhone. This message appears when I try to log out of my current account to log into another. Can someone please help me to overcome this matter? Much appreciated!”
Are you familiar with the question mentioned above? And are you looking for a solution to overcome this issue? Well, look no further as this article explains how to overcome this specific issue.
Overview
“Sign out is not available due to restrictions” is an error message that appears on your iOS device. This message appears if you have enabled the feature called “Screen Time.” This is specifically because screen time is used mainly to limit the accessibility of the accounts connected.
When the screen time feature is activated, it will limit the duration an Apple account can access the features. In addition to that, if your device has an ongoing backup process or restoration, signing out won’t be permitted.
That said, there are a couple of methods to try if sign-out is not available due to restrictions. In other words, these methods can help you bypass the restrictions applied.
Besides, if you wonder what happens after 10 failed screen time passcode attempts, here are the easy fixes if you have forgotten the passcode of your screen time.
What Prevents You from Signing out of Your Apple ID?
Before we take a look at the solutions, let’s learn the possible causes behind this error.
Below are the most common reasons that may prevent you from signing out of your Apple ID.
- Server issues related to Apple.
- Issues related to your screen time.
- Some of those content restrictions may prevent you from signing out of your Apple ID.
- An iCloud backup process is going on.
- Your device’s system software is outdated.
Also, any iPhone user should know how to remove the screen time passcode in case of an emergency. Here are the best solutions for you.
Solutions to Try if Sign-Out is Not Available Due to Restrictions
The best thing you can do is to check if there’s something wrong with the server or the device. Both of those reasons can prevent you from logging out.
So, before moving into more technical solutions, you can check the status of the server. After all, before you try anything complex, it is better to start with the simplest possible option, correct?
1. Check Your Internet Connection
One of the main reasons for this issue to emerge is a faulty internet connection. If your internet connection is faulty, you cannot do anything related to transferring data. That means your device cannot necessarily send requests to Apple’s server to log you out of it. So, it is better to check if your connection is reliable enough.
Let’s assume that sign-out is not available due to restrictions on your Mac. If that system is connected to a Wi-Fi connection, switch to a cabled connection for a reliable data transfer.
In addition to that, you can even try to restart the router and refresh the profile. Once you have done that, the respective connection will be free of data-related issues.
2. Disable the Screen Time Feature on Your Device
As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, screen time can be considered the main reason behind this issue. If you have enabled the screen time, it is more of applying restrictions to the respective device. Whenever you intend to sign out of the restricted profile, the button will appear in grey. That means it is deactivated.
As per the default settings, the feature called screen time is enabled on any iPhone or iPad. So, it is better to disable this feature if sign-out is not available due to restrictions. So, mentioned below are the steps you should follow to disable this feature on your iPhone.
On a Mac
- First, open your Mac’s finder.
- Then, go to the menu bar and select “Apple.” Then, go to “System Preferences.”
- After that, go to the option called “Screen Time.”
- Then, click on “Options.” You can see this option in the sidebar (on the left).
- Tap on the option labeled “Turn Off” next to screen time.
- If prompted, you should provide the password for screen time.
- Restart the computer and see if the issue is resolved.
On an iPhone
- Go to “Settings.”
- Select the option called “Screen Time.”
- After that, you should select “Turn Off Screen Time.”
- You can then enter the password of your screen time.
- Restart the device to proceed.
If you are unaware of the password, however, you can follow the steps below. These steps will help you bypass the process of authentication.
- First, you should go to the option called “Screen Time Settings.”
- Select “Change Passcode.”
- After that, select the option called “Forget Password.”
- Now, enter the respective Apple ID along with the password. This will verify the profile.
- You can set a new passcode for screen time.
- Then, you will be able to turn off the screen time.
3. Deactivate Content Restrictions
You must know that content, and privacy restrictions can prevent your Apple account from using some features. It may prevent you from logging out of your current Apple account.
If this is the case, you can easily fix this issue just by disabling it. So, let’s go ahead and find it out.
On a Mac
- Go to Finder.
- Select the option called “Apple” and then go to “System Preferences.”
- Go to the option called “Screen Time.”
- Select the option labeled “Content and Privacy.”
- After that, turn off the option called Content and Privacy Restrictions.
On an iPhone
- Go to the option called “Settings.”
- Click “Screen Time.”
- Select the option called “Content and Privacy Restrictions.”
- Then, you can disable that option.
4. If a Backup is Going On, Wait for It to Be Completed
You cannot necessarily sign out of an Apple account if a backup is going on. This is true specifically during the process of restoration. During this process, the data is transferred to the system.
If you sign out during this process, the data transferring process will be canceled. That will eventually cause data loss or corruption. This is exactly why Apple doesn’t allow you to sign out of your Apple account during a data backup.
But there’s an effective way to counter this; you can wait for the process to be completed. If not, you can even cancel the transfer process. You can decide on any option depending on your situation. So, mentioned below are those steps to consider.
On a Mac
- Go to Finder
- Select the option called “Apple” and select “System Preferences.”
- Click on the option called “Apple ID.”
- Then, select the option called “iCloud.”
- After that, you should uncheck the option called “iCloud Drive.”
On an iPhone
- Go to “Settings.”
- Select your profile.
- Go to the option called “iCloud.”
- Select the option labeled “iCloud Backup.”
- You can then toggle it off.
In addition, this article will explain everything about how to remove school iPad restrictions in different ways with no hassle at all and their consequences.
5. Update Your System Firmware
As you may already know, outdated OS can lead to various issues. It might result in stability and compatibility errors. If that’s the case, you can update the firmware and expect a solution for this matter.
Developers tend to release new application updates addressing the issues the current OS faces. Those updates often fix bugs and security issues on the system apart from adding new features.
Updating an iOS device to the latest version is not hard. As long as you have an active internet connection, you are good to go. That said, mentioned below are the steps to follow if you want to update your iOS device.
On a Mac
- Go to “Finder.”
- Using the menu bar, you should go to “Apple.” Then, select “About This Mac.”
- Click on the option called “Software Update.”
- You can let the computer scan for any available updates.
- If you don’t see any updates, click “Update Now.” This will update the current macOS.
On an iPhone
- Go to your iPhone’s Settings.
- Select “General Settings.”
- Choose the option called “Software Updates.”
- Wait for a while until the device performs a scan for any updates available.
- Tap “Download & Install” if you see any updates.
6. Go for a Factory Reset
If none of the solutions have worked for you so far, try this one. A factory reset will wipe out your device’s data and let you configure it from scratch.
So, if you are prepared to try this one, you may go ahead and follow the steps below. Before resetting your device, you may create a backup of the data that may be important to you.
On a Mac
- Use “Time Machine” and create a backup of the data.
- Select “Finder” and go to “Apple.” Select “System Preferences.”
- Select “System Preferences” and “Erase All Content & Settings.”
- Enter the password and hit Continue.
- Select “Erase All Content & Settings.”
On an iPhone
- Go to “Settings” and choose “Profile.”
- Select “iCloud” > “iCloud Backup.”
- Toggle it on.
- Go to “Settings” > “General.”
- Transfer or reset iPhone.
- Select “Erase All….“
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, even if the sign-out option is not available, you can still protect your account by adopting alternative security measures. These include clearing browser cache and cookies, enabling two-factor authentication, regularly monitoring account activity, and using VPNs.
2. Are there any alternative methods to ensure account security?
Yes, there are alternative methods to ensure account security when the sign-out option is unavailable. Some effective approaches include enabling two-factor authentication, using strong and unique passwords, and regularly reviewing account settings and activity.
You can monitor your account activity by reviewing login history and recent activity. If you notice any unfamiliar or suspicious access attempts, it is crucial to take immediate action, such as changing your password and enabling additional security measures.
4. Are there any privacy concerns associated with not being able to sign out?
Not being able to sign out may raise privacy concerns, particularly when using shared or public devices. It is important to clear browser cache and cookies and avoid accessing sensitive information on such devices to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to personal data.
The unavailability of the sign-out option may affect multiple devices, especially when account synchronization is in place. In such cases, changes made on one device may be reflected on others. It is important to be mindful of this and take appropriate security measures to protect all associated devices.
Conclusion
While encountering situations where the sign-out option is not available can be frustrating, it is essential to understand the reasons behind these restrictions. Temporary maintenance, account synchronization, device-specific limitations, and regulatory compliance are among the common factors contributing to the unavailability of the sign-out feature.
However, users can still take proactive steps to safeguard their accounts and personal information. By adopting alternative security measures, such as clearing browser cache and cookies, enabling two-factor authentication, monitoring account activity, and using VPNs, users can enhance their online security even when sign-out is not an option.
