It’s common for your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to occasionally request updates to your Apple ID settings.
But if you’re frequently seeing this prompt, it can be concerning.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to address the persistent ‘update Apple ID settings’ notification.
Let’s dive in!
TL;DR Version
Try these solutions if you keep seeing an ‘update Apple ID’ prompt on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac:
Before Anything: Update Your Apple ID Settings
Updating your Apple ID settings is essential for a seamless experience across your Apple devices.
To eliminate the persistent prompt, follow these steps:
For iPhones & iPads:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Continue when the prompt appears.
- Enter your Apple ID password.
- If asked, input your device passcode.
- Complete the update by following the on-screen prompts.
For Macs:
- Click the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen.
- Select System Settings.
- Under your profile name, click on Update Apple ID Settings.
- Enter your Apple ID and password.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the process.
How to Fix Update Apple ID Settings Prompt On iPhone, iPad, and Mac: 7 Ways
1. Restart Your Device
A simple restart can often resolve the persistent ‘update Apple ID settings’ prompt. This issue may arise from errors during the verification of your Apple ID settings.
For iPhone or iPad with Face ID:
- Press and hold both the Volume Down and Side buttons until the ‘Slide to Power Off’ prompt appears.
- Slide the power icon to the right and wait for 30 seconds.
- Press the Side button to turn your iPhone back on.
For iPhone or iPad with Touch ID:
- Hold down the Power button until the ‘Slide to Power Off’ prompt shows up.
- Slide to the right to power off, wait for 30 seconds, then press the Power button to restart your device.
For Mac:
- Click the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen.
- Choose Restart from the drop-down menu.
- Confirm by clicking Restart again when prompted.
2. Refresh Your Apple ID Account
If the ‘update Apple ID settings’ prompt persists, try refreshing your Apple ID by signing out and then logging back in after a few minutes.
This process can refresh your account information and resolve underlying issues.
For iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on your Profile.
- Scroll down to the bottom.
- Tap on Sign Out
- Follow the on-screen instructions to sign out.
- Wait for 2-3 minutes before signing back in.
For Mac:
- Click the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen.
- Go to System Settings.
- Click on your Profile in the sidebar.
- Scroll to the bottom and click Sign Out.
- Complete the sign-out process following the prompts.
- After a brief pause, log back into your Apple ID.
3. Reset Apple ID Password
If the prompt to update settings persists, consider resetting your Apple ID password. An incorrect password might be preventing your device from accessing your account information.
Here’s how to change it:
- Open any browser on your device.
- Go to the Apple ID sign-in page.
- Click or tap on Forgot Password.
- Provide your email or phone number.
- Type the code on the image and click Continue.
- Next, confirm your phone number.
- Select from the options on how to reset your password.
Follow the subsequent instructions to reset and update your password.
4. Reset Face ID & Biometrics
Issues with Face ID or biometric authentication can sometimes lead to the ‘update your Apple ID settings’ prompt. Resetting these settings may help resolve the issue.
- Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Next, scroll down and access the Face ID & Passcode tab.
- Enter your device passcode when prompted.
- Scroll down and tap on Reset Face ID.
- Follow the instructions to continue.
- Now, restart your device.
- Go back to Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
- Tap on Set Up Face ID.
- Go through the setup process to activate Face ID.
- Restart your device again.
5. Check Status of Apple’s Servers
Should the issue persist, it’s worth checking if there are any disruptions in Apple’s services.
Visit Apple’s System Status page to see if there are any reported problems with Apple ID or related services.
In cases of server-related issues, the only option is to wait for a resolution from Apple. Unfortunately, personal troubleshooting efforts won’t impact these types of problems.
6. Update Your Device
There might be an issue with your device’s software that causes the update prompt to pop up.
In this case, see if there are available updates for your device and install them to patch bugs and errors.
For iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings.
- Go to General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Important Notes:
- Your device may restart multiple times during the update.
- Ensure it’s at least 50% charged, or keep it connected to a charger.
- Allow around 15 minutes for the update, especially for major versions.
To enable automatic updates:
- Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
- Turn on Download iOS/iPadOS Updates and Install iOS/iPadOS Updates.
For Mac:
- Click the Apple icon in the top left corner.
- Choose System Settings.
- Proceed to General > Software Update and follow any available update prompts.
Important Notes:
- Your Mac may restart several times during the update.
- If the update progress seems stuck, wait patiently as it can take several minutes.
7. Reset Your Settings
At this point, I suggest resetting your device settings if you still encounter the annoying update notification.
There might be some conflicts with your system preferences that cause the problem.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap on Reset.
- Select Reset All Settings and follow the prompts.
Important Notes:
- Your iPhone will immediately restart upon resetting your configurations.
- It may be stuck in the Apple logo. Wait for the process to complete, which usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.
FAQs
Why am I getting notice to update my Apple ID settings?
Your device may prompt you to update your Apple ID settings, such as your password. To address this, open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and look for any instructions or prompts to update your settings.
What to do if setting up Apple ID is taking too long?
If setting up your Apple ID is unusually time-consuming, try a force restart:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release.
Why can’t I access my Apple ID in settings?
If accessing your Apple ID in settings is problematic, check your content and privacy restrictions:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap on Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Scroll down and find Account Changes.
- Enable Account Changes.
This should restore access to your Apple ID settings.
Why does my Mac keep asking for my Apple ID?
Frequent Apple ID prompts on a Mac are usually due to connectivity issues with iCloud servers, authentication errors, or verification failures. Check Apple’s System Status page for any ongoing service disruptions.