How to Unsync iPhone from iPad: 3 Different Methods

Apple makes it easy for your iPhone, iPad, and other devices to share data, like music and photos, using iCloud, Family Sharing, and iTunes. This allows seamless sharing across all your devices. However, if your iPhone and iPad are linked, you might want to separate them for privacy reasons or to manage storage better.

Keeping devices unsynced helps separate personal and work life, allowing each device to serve its own purpose. It’s especially useful for managing storage and preventing clutter from duplicated files.

This guide explains why you might want to unsync your iPhone from your iPad and how to do it. We will walk you through different methods to achieve this, and remember, the process is reversible, so you can always resync your devices if you choose to.

Now, let’s dive into the steps on how to unsync your iPhone from your iPad to enjoy these benefits.

Method 1. Remove Apple ID

You’ll need to use unique Apple IDs for each device to completely stop your iPhone and iPad (or another iPhone) from syncing. This step is significant if the second device is used by someone else in your household, like your children, spouse, or another family member. 

Using separate Apple IDs ensures that each device maintains its privacy and content, avoiding any unwanted information sharing.

1. In your iPad “Settings,” tap on your name at the top and select “Sign Out” at the bottom. 

   

2. Choose what you want to keep, then hit “Sign out.”
   

   

3. A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap “Sign Out” again.
   

   

4. To log in with a new Apple ID, open the Settings app again, tap “Sign in to your iPhone,” enter the new Apple ID details, and tap “Continue.”
   
   

   

Method 2. Uncheck All Sync Options

Completely removing your iPad from your Apple ID stops all the syncing features, but there are better choices. Doing so means you’ll lose access to handy features like Apple Pay and any subscriptions you’ve paid for. 

Luckily, a less drastic option is turning off iCloud syncing for specific apps. This approach allows you to customize what information is shared between your devices.

1. Open the Settings app on your device. You’ll see your Apple ID name at the top of the settings menu. Tap on it to go to your “Apple ID” settings.
   

   

2. Once there, look for and tap on “iCloud.”
   

   
3. Select “Show all.”
   

   

4. Now, you’ll see a list of all the apps that use iCloud to sync data. They’re usually turned on to sync automatically. Find the apps you don’t want to sync between your iPhone and iPad and switch their toggles to off.
   

   

This method is great because it lets you control what gets synced without cutting off all the benefits of your Apple ID.

Method 3. Disable Handoff Feature

Handoff is an excellent Apple feature that lets you move your work from one device to another without a hitch. For example, if you start writing an email on your iPhone, you can pick up right where you left off on your iPad. 

You can even copy something on your iPad and paste it on your iPhone. But if you want your iPhone and iPad to act more independently, you can turn off Handoff.

1. Open the Settings app on either iPad or iPhone. Scroll until you find the “General” option and tap on it.
   

   

2. Find “Handoff & Airplay” within the General settings and tap on it to see its settings.
   

   

3. There’s a toggle switch next to Handoff. Slide this switch to the left to turn off Handoff.
   

   

This action will stop automatically sharing tasks and clipboard content between your iPhone and iPad, helping you keep your activities separate on each device.