{
  "schema": "https://storagestudio.us/schema/wiki-page.v1",
  "title": "Signing in to another Apple ID's iCloud fails",
  "slug": "icloud-sign-in-problems",
  "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-sign-in-problems",
  "markdown_url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-sign-in-problems.md",
  "category": "Troubleshooting",
  "category_url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/troubleshooting/",
  "tags": [
    "troubleshooting",
    "cloud accounts",
    "icloud"
  ],
  "summary": "Adding iCloud Drive for another Apple ID needs Advanced Data Protection off and Access iCloud Data on the Web on, plus Apple's verification code. Apple asks for a new code about once a month — use Sign in again when it does.",
  "published_at": "2026-10-01T06:17:05.000Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-01T05:41:26.000Z",
  "headings": [
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "What you might see",
      "id": "what-you-might-see"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "Likely causes",
      "id": "likely-causes"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "How to fix it",
      "id": "how-to-fix-it"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "Good to know",
      "id": "good-to-know"
    }
  ],
  "links_out": [
    {
      "slug": "icloud-drive-for-another-apple-id",
      "label": "iCloud Drive for another Apple ID",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-drive-for-another-apple-id"
    },
    {
      "slug": "compared-with-icloud-drive",
      "label": "Storage Studio's cloud accounts and iCloud Drive",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/compared-with-icloud-drive"
    },
    {
      "slug": "icloud-photos-of-another-apple-id",
      "label": "iCloud Photos of another Apple ID",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-photos-of-another-apple-id"
    },
    {
      "slug": "when-an-account-needs-signing-in-again",
      "label": "When an account needs signing in again",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/when-an-account-needs-signing-in-again"
    },
    {
      "slug": "testing-editing-and-removing-an-account",
      "label": "Testing, editing and removing an account",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/testing-editing-and-removing-an-account"
    },
    {
      "slug": "troubleshooting-start-here",
      "label": "Something's not working: start here",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/troubleshooting-start-here"
    }
  ],
  "links_in": [
    {
      "slug": "troubleshooting-start-here",
      "title": "Something's not working: start here",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/troubleshooting-start-here"
    },
    {
      "slug": "when-an-account-needs-signing-in-again",
      "title": "When an account needs signing in again",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/when-an-account-needs-signing-in-again"
    },
    {
      "slug": "icloud-drive-for-another-apple-id",
      "title": "iCloud Drive for another Apple ID",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-drive-for-another-apple-id"
    }
  ],
  "diagrams": [
    {
      "kind": "flowchart",
      "caption": "Getting another Apple ID's iCloud Drive signed in",
      "outline": "- iCloud sign-in fails\n  - leads to Advanced Data Protection off and web access on?\n- Advanced Data Protection off and web access on?\n  - No: leads to Change both on that Apple ID's device\n  - Yes: leads to Sign in again\n- Change both on that Apple ID's device\n  - leads to Sign in again\n- Sign in again\n  - leads to Code arrived?\n- Code arrived?\n  - No: leads to Use Send a new code or Text me a code instead\n  - Yes: leads to Enter the newest code and click Verify\n- Use Send a new code or Text me a code instead\n  - leads to Enter the newest code and click Verify\n- Enter the newest code and click Verify\n  - leads to Account added\n",
      "source": "%% caption: Getting another Apple ID's iCloud Drive signed in\nflowchart TD\n  A[iCloud sign-in fails] --> B{Advanced Data Protection off and web access on?}\n  B -->|No| C[Change both on that Apple ID's device]\n  C --> D[Sign in again]\n  B -->|Yes| D\n  D --> E{Code arrived?}\n  E -->|No| F[Use Send a new code or Text me a code instead]\n  E -->|Yes| G[Enter the newest code and click Verify]\n  F --> G\n  G --> H[Account added]"
    }
  ],
  "images": [],
  "screenshots_pending": [
    {
      "alt": "The Add Cloud Account sheet with iCloud Drive (another Apple ID) chosen, showing the Before you sign in to this Apple ID box and the Apple ID and Password fields",
      "caption": "Signing in to iCloud Drive for another Apple ID"
    }
  ],
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "Can I see all my cloud accounts in Finder on a Mac?",
      "answer": "Yes. Storage Studio adds a \"Storage Studio\" location to Finder's sidebar, with each connected cloud account and paired device as a folder inside, and a Finder button in the app's main window opens it. Files stay in the cloud until you open them. Folders you have visited open straight away and…",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/faq"
    }
  ],
  "text": "Signing in to another Apple ID's iCloud Drive works only when that Apple ID allows web access: Advanced Data Protection must be off and Access iCloud Data on the Web on. After the password, Apple sends a verification code to that Apple ID's devices. Most failures are one of those three things — and about once a month Apple asks for a new code, so the account needs Sign in again . What you might see Message What it means This Apple ID has Advanced Data Protection on, or web access to iCloud off. Change those two settings on that Apple ID, then try again. Apple didn't accept that Apple ID or password. Check the Apple ID and password. That code didn't work, or it expired. Enter the newest code — or use Send a new code. Enter the latest code Apple sent. This Apple ID has no phone number that can receive codes. Use the code shown on one of that Apple ID's devices instead. Couldn't reach Apple. Check your internet connection and try again. A connection problem on this Mac. Apple needs you to confirm this Mac again for this iCloud account. Apple's monthly check — use Sign in again . Apple changed how iCloud sign-in works, and this version of Storage Studio can't sign in to iCloud yet. Your Apple ID and password weren't the problem. Check for a Storage Studio update. Likely causes Advanced Data Protection is on for that Apple ID, or Access iCloud Data on the Web is off. The code expired or an older code was entered. Enter the newest code Apple sent. No code arrived on that Apple ID's devices. Apple wants the Mac confirmed again. \"Apple asks for a new verification code about once a month — when it does, use Sign in again on this account.\" It can also happen when the Apple ID password changes. Getting another Apple ID's iCloud Drive signed in Flowchart outline: Getting another Apple ID's iCloud Drive signed in iCloud sign-in fails leads to Advanced Data Protection off and web access on? Advanced Data Protection off and web access on? No: leads to Change both on that Apple ID's device Yes: leads to Sign in again Change both on that Apple ID's device leads to Sign in again Sign in again leads to Code arrived? Code arrived? No: leads to Use Send a new code or Text me a code instead Yes: leads to Enter the newest code and click Verify Use Send a new code or Text me a code instead leads to Enter the newest code and click Verify Enter the newest code and click Verify leads to Account added How to fix it On a device signed in to that Apple ID , open Settings, then the account name, then iCloud . Turn Advanced Data Protection off and Access iCloud Data on the Web on. Sign in again in Storage Studio: in Remotes & Accounts , select the account and click Sign in again — or, if it isn't added yet, add iCloud Drive (another Apple ID) with Add Account . Enter the code. \"Apple sent a verification code to the devices signed in to this Apple ID. Enter it to finish.\" Type the 6-digit code and click Verify . No code? Click Send a new code , or Text me a code instead to have it sent to the Apple ID's phone number. Once a month , when Apple asks again, repeat steps 2–3. If Test connection on the account fails, that's usually the sign. If a sign-in again fails or you cancel it, the account is left exactly as it was. Good to know This uses Apple's web access to iCloud rather than an official connection, so Apple could change how it works. See iCloud Drive for another Apple ID for what it can and can't do. Your own Apple ID's iCloud Drive is already on your Mac and doesn't need adding — see Storage Studio's cloud accounts and iCloud Drive . See also: iCloud Photos of another Apple ID · When an account needs signing in again · Testing, editing and removing an account · Something's not working: start here Common questions Can I see all my cloud accounts in Finder on a Mac? Yes. Storage Studio adds a \"Storage Studio\" location to Finder's sidebar, with each connected cloud account and paired device as a folder inside, and a Finder button in the app's main window opens it. Files stay in the cloud until you open them. Folders you have visited open straight away and…",
  "markdown": "Signing in to another Apple ID's iCloud Drive works only when that Apple ID allows web access: **Advanced Data Protection** must be off and **Access iCloud Data on the Web** on. After the password, Apple sends a verification code to that Apple ID's devices. Most failures are one of those three things — and about once a month Apple asks for a new code, so the account needs **Sign in again**.\n\n## What you might see\n\n| Message | What it means |\n| --- | --- |\n| This Apple ID has Advanced Data Protection on, or web access to iCloud off. | Change those two settings on that Apple ID, then try again. |\n| Apple didn't accept that Apple ID or password. | Check the Apple ID and password. |\n| That code didn't work, or it expired. Enter the newest code — or use Send a new code. | Enter the latest code Apple sent. |\n| This Apple ID has no phone number that can receive codes. | Use the code shown on one of that Apple ID's devices instead. |\n| Couldn't reach Apple. Check your internet connection and try again. | A connection problem on this Mac. |\n| Apple needs you to confirm this Mac again for this iCloud account. | Apple's monthly check — use **Sign in again**. |\n| Apple changed how iCloud sign-in works, and this version of Storage Studio can't sign in to iCloud yet. | Your Apple ID and password weren't the problem. Check for a Storage Studio update. |\n\n## Likely causes\n\n- **Advanced Data Protection is on** for that Apple ID, or **Access iCloud Data on the Web** is off.\n- **The code expired or an older code was entered.** Enter the newest code Apple sent.\n- **No code arrived** on that Apple ID's devices.\n- **Apple wants the Mac confirmed again.** \"Apple asks for a new verification code about once a month — when it does, use Sign in again on this account.\" It can also happen when the Apple ID password changes.\n\n```mermaid\n%% caption: Getting another Apple ID's iCloud Drive signed in\nflowchart TD\n  A[iCloud sign-in fails] --> B{Advanced Data Protection off and web access on?}\n  B -->|No| C[Change both on that Apple ID's device]\n  C --> D[Sign in again]\n  B -->|Yes| D\n  D --> E{Code arrived?}\n  E -->|No| F[Use Send a new code or Text me a code instead]\n  E -->|Yes| G[Enter the newest code and click Verify]\n  F --> G\n  G --> H[Account added]\n```\n\n*Flowchart — Getting another Apple ID's iCloud Drive signed in. Outline:*\n\n- iCloud sign-in fails\n  - leads to Advanced Data Protection off and web access on?\n- Advanced Data Protection off and web access on?\n  - No: leads to Change both on that Apple ID's device\n  - Yes: leads to Sign in again\n- Change both on that Apple ID's device\n  - leads to Sign in again\n- Sign in again\n  - leads to Code arrived?\n- Code arrived?\n  - No: leads to Use Send a new code or Text me a code instead\n  - Yes: leads to Enter the newest code and click Verify\n- Use Send a new code or Text me a code instead\n  - leads to Enter the newest code and click Verify\n- Enter the newest code and click Verify\n  - leads to Account added\n\n## How to fix it\n\n1. **On a device signed in to that Apple ID**, open Settings, then the account name, then **iCloud**. Turn **Advanced Data Protection** off and **Access iCloud Data on the Web** on.\n2. **Sign in again** in Storage Studio: in **Remotes & Accounts**, select the account and click **Sign in again** — or, if it isn't added yet, add **iCloud Drive (another Apple ID)** with **Add Account**.\n3. **Enter the code.** \"Apple sent a verification code to the devices signed in to this Apple ID. Enter it to finish.\" Type the 6-digit code and click **Verify**.\n4. **No code?** Click **Send a new code**, or **Text me a code instead** to have it sent to the Apple ID's phone number.\n5. **Once a month**, when Apple asks again, repeat steps 2–3. If **Test connection** on the account fails, that's usually the sign.\n\nIf a sign-in again fails or you cancel it, the account is left exactly as it was.\n\n## Good to know\n\nThis uses Apple's web access to iCloud rather than an official connection, so Apple could change how it works. See [iCloud Drive for another Apple ID](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-drive-for-another-apple-id) for what it can and can't do. Your own Apple ID's iCloud Drive is already on your Mac and doesn't need adding — see [Storage Studio's cloud accounts and iCloud Drive](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/compared-with-icloud-drive).\n\nSee also: [iCloud Photos of another Apple ID](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/icloud-photos-of-another-apple-id) · [When an account needs signing in again](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/when-an-account-needs-signing-in-again) · [Testing, editing and removing an account](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/testing-editing-and-removing-an-account) · [Something's not working: start here](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/troubleshooting-start-here)\n\n- **Can I see all my cloud accounts in Finder on a Mac?** Yes. Storage Studio adds a \"Storage Studio\" location to Finder's sidebar, with each connected cloud account and paired device as a folder inside, and a Finder button in the app's main window opens it. Files stay in the cloud until you open them. Folders you have visited open straight away and… (https://storagestudio.us/faq)\n"
}