Unlinking a work laptop from my personal Apple devices
I own an iPad and an iPhone. I also have a work MacBook Air laptop which I will be returning to the owners soon. How do I stop this device linking to my personal iPad and iPhone?
Your best bet would be to follow these steps on the MacBook Air:
- Backup any data you may want to keep (including data on iCloud)
- Open iTunes
- From the menu bar go to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer
- Enter your Apple ID and password
- Click Deauthorise
- Now also go to Apple > System Preferences
- Click on the iCloud preference pane
- If it's selected, then deselect the Find My Mac checkbox
- Now totally sign out of iCloud
- Exit System Preferences
- Launch the Messages app
- Go to Messages > Preferences > Accounts
- Select the Accounts tab
- Sign out of any personal accounts
- Follow these steps to reinstall macOS
Now you're MacBook Air is ready to hand back.
OPTIONAL: If you can't do Step 15 (e.g. you're not allowed to, etc) then you could also do the following (assuming you're allowed to):
- Go to Apple > System Preferences > Users & Groups
- Click on the + sign to add a new account. When you do, ensure that it is an Administrator account.
- Exit System Preferences
- Restart the Mac and login to the new user account you just created
- Once you're logged in, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups
- Click on the - button to delete your original account. Select the appropriate option and click on Delete User.
Now your MacBook Air is ready to hand back.