iPhone, iPad, iPod Forums at iMore.com

[milani]

Well I followed TIPB's instructions on the website (by Georgia) and check this out:

I activated 3 MobileMe free accounts from my iPhone 4 (for use with other devices), and I seem to have hit a wall. My iPhone says "The maximum number of free accounts have been activated on this iPhone". When I click "Learn More" it takes me to the main website, which says nothing.

Is this Apple's policy? or is this a bug? I did not see any documentation limiting the number of accounts I could setup from my iPhone 4. If I had known there was a wall I would not have setup the last account.

Any ideas on how one might go about resolving this issue?

Thank!

[milani]

I'm look at you Georgia. It was your tip...

[bamf-hacker]

I don't think there is. You might try to call Apple and ask them to remove one of the accounts you created so you can setup a new one.

[iErick]

Georgia's tip worked. Don't blame her because Apple has a limit per device to protect themselves.

[milani]

Thanks for your incredibly helpful post, iErick. It's people like you that really keep the internet going!

[milani]

Originally Posted by bamf-hacker

I don't think there is. You might try to call Apple and ask them to remove one of the accounts you created so you can setup a new one.

All of the accounts were removed immediately following their authorization on the iPhone 4. It doesn't seem to matter. The phone somehow logs the number of accounts associated with the device.

[crystus]

It logs your serial number and each account you activate is attached to your serial number. They do have a limit of how many accounts can be activated per device and track it by the serial number. The only option if you want one for another device is to have an existing one removed if they can even remove it.

[Rene Ritchie]

Georgia's tip is 100% accurate and reports on exactly what Apple stated on their website, so that's *completely* misdirected, though I certainly appreciate your frustration.

You say you created 3 different Find my iPhone accounts? Why would you need more than one?

[crystus]

I called apple and they confirmed 3 accounts set up per device and they track the serial #. They could not answer if they were able to remove an account from a serial #.

[milani]

^ Good to know that they published this information. /sarcasm

Yes, you're right Rene. I am definitely not blaming Georgia at all. I had hoped that she might post an update on her news article to warn other users, but you've definitely done one better!

Thanks Rene!

Apple limiting users to 3 free Find my iPhone account setups per device? | TiPb

Oh, and to retrospectively answer your question: a person might want to setup a different account if they give an older device (i.e. a 3GS) to a family member. In that case, you probably don't want that phone showing up in your MobileMe account, nor do you want them to have access to your account. In such an instance, it makes perfect sense to setup a new account from your iPhone 4 (which you are well and fully entitled to do) solely for the purpose of using Find my iPhone with the older device.