Read whether the message names an association period
A screen stating that a device is associated with another Apple Account for a number of days describes a specific purchase-access condition. Before resetting a working password, preserve the exact wording and remaining period. Signing into an account and associating a device for purchases are different states, so one successful action does not establish the other.
Apply Apple’s purchase-device explanation
Apple says associated devices are not the same as the devices currently signed into an account. It allows ten associated devices, including no more than five computers, for purchases. Its guidance says changing a previously associated device to another Apple Account can require waiting up to ninety days. This is a provider-documented condition, not a reason to keep guessing passwords or create duplicate purchase accounts.
Check a shared-computer example
Suppose two adults use different purchase accounts on one computer and one sees the association message while redownloading a film. Inspect the relevant account’s Manage Devices information and the exact message before changing broader security settings. Keep both people’s purchases and credentials separate. Do not buy another copy solely to test whether the same association condition will recur.
Use the official next step for the actual device
Apple’s removal instructions differ between computers and mobile devices and advise signing out on the relevant device when removal is unavailable. If the stated wait remains, use official support for clarification rather than a supposed bypass tool. This article does not claim a wait can always be removed immediately. Record the purchase route and device context while keeping payment information and account secrets out of the report.
Questions, answered
Is the associated-device list identical to the signed-in-device list?
Apple explicitly says these are different lists.