How Do I Change My Apple ID On My iPhone? The Fix!

What a headache! You’re setting up your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and it asks for your Apple ID. Something goes wrong and it becomes extraordinarily difficult to create a new Apple ID or change your old one to a new email address. Breathe deeply and rest assured: In this article, I’ll help you change your Apple ID or create a new one so you can start using your iPhone or Mac and stop pulling your hair out.

Apple’s website has a cute little support article on this subject. It assumes you already know your Apple ID and password, that you can successfully log in on the “My Apple ID” webpage, and that the email address you’re changing it to isn’t already in use.

If you do, scroll down to the section called How To Change Your Apple ID Email Address for a process that’s much simpler than Apple’s. But that’s probably not why you’re here. You’re here for one of these reasons:

  • You’re trying to change your current Apple ID to a new email address.
  • You’re trying to create a new Apple ID but your iPhone or Mac says “That email address is already used as an Apple ID.” You have no idea what the password is and you just want to start fresh.
  • You had an Apple ID but you can’t remember what it was, and you probably don’t know the password either.

It Happens All The Time

Email Address Is Already an Apple ID iPhoneAnyone who’s ever worked in an Apple Store has seen this problem 1000 times. One of two things happen:

  • A customer is setting up their new iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and they go through the process of creating an Apple ID. They fill in all their information, press Done, and it doesn’t work.
  • A customer is simply trying to change their Apple ID from an old email address to a new one. When they try to update it, their iPhone or Mac tells them the email address is already in use.

What You Need To Know Before We Begin

Separate Accounts with Separate Passwords

Apple IDs are always linked to an email address, but the Apple ID and the email address are separate accounts with separate passwords. It can be confusing because both accounts have the same username ([email protected], for example), but the accounts are entirely separate. The only exception is if you choose to create a new iCloud email address (ends in @icloud.com) when you create your Apple ID.

Just to be clear: Even though you know your email password, your Apple ID password may be entirely different. They can be the same, but only if you set them up that way when you created both accounts.

Make Sure You Have Access To The Email Account Linked To Your Apple ID

Apple sends a verification email to the new Apple ID’s email address as part of the setup process. If you don’t have access to that email account, you won’t be able to verify the address with Apple and you won’t be able to use that Apple ID.

For instance, if you’re creating an Apple ID for [email protected], make sure you can log in to [email protected] on the Gmail website before you begin. Remember, even though they have the same user name (the email address), the accounts are entirely separate and may have separate passwords.

What To Do If Your Email Address Is Already An Apple ID or Not Available

Apple ID Must Be AvailableIf you’re creating a new Apple ID and you see “Email Address Is Already an Apple ID” or that it’s not available,  that Apple ID already exists, even if you don’t remember creating it. You can’t create a new Apple ID if an Apple ID was created using that email address in the past. The rule is one Apple ID per email address.

To make this walkthrough easier to understand, we’ll use these email addresses as examples:

  • [email protected] – The Apple ID you’re using now
  • [email protected] – The email address you’d like to change your Apple ID to. Even though you may not remember creating this ID, it does exist.
  • emailIDon’[email protected] – We’ll change the Apple ID at [email protected] to this one to move out of the way. You can create a free email address on gmail.com if you don’t have an another email you can change it to.

How To Change An Apple ID Email Address That Is Already In Use

  1. Log in to the [email protected] account on the “Apple ID” page of Apple’s website.
  2. Change Apple ID Email AddressChange that Apple ID’s email address from [email protected] to emailIDon’[email protected]. We’re moving it out of the way to make room for your current Apple ID.
  3. Sign Out of appleid.apple.com.
  4. Check for a verification email from Apple in the inbox of emailIDon’[email protected] and go through the verification process. You can’t change your [email protected] to [email protected] until you change [email protected] to emailIDon’[email protected] and verify it to complete the change.
  5. Apple ID Verification EmailLog in to the [email protected] account on appleid.apple.com.
  6. Change that Apple ID’s email address to [email protected].

Password Problems

If you don’t remember creating an Apple ID with for [email protected], there’s a good chance you don’t remember the password, either. If that’s the case, go back to Apple’s Apple ID webpage and click Reset your password. If the email address you’re trying to change to is already in use, you’ll need the passwords for both your current Apple ID and the Apple ID associated with the email address you’re changing it to in order to complete this process.

Apple’s Unnecessarily Complicated Method For Changing Your Apple ID

Apple’s support article suggests an inefficient time-consuming method designed to shield you from seeing warning popups that ask you to update your Apple ID after you change it to the new email address. But these warnings make your life easier! 

Apple’s article suggests you sign out of all the services that use your Apple ID (iTunes, App Store, iMessage, etc.) on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other devices before you begin. I recommend you change your Apple ID on all your devices after you change it to the new email address. You’ll enter the updated information when your iPhone, iPad, or Mac asks you to. It’s easier than hunting through Settings on all your devices to sign out of every service that uses your Apple ID first.

How To Change Your Apple ID Email Address

  1. Manage Your Apple IDGo to appleid.apple.com, click Manage Your Apple ID, and sign in with your Apple ID.
  2. Click edit to the right of your email address under the section called Apple ID and Primary Email Address.
  3. Enter your new Apple ID email address.
  4. Click Save.
  5. Check your inbox for a email called “Verify your Apple ID.” from Apple and click Verify now >.
  6. Log in on Apple’s website to complete the process.

Apple ID Email Address: Changed.

You’ve successfully changed your Apple ID email address and you can finally use your iPhone, iPad, and Mac with the email address you want to. As you’ve discovered, it can be extraordinarily difficult to change an Apple ID to a new email address – in face, the process is amazingly complicated. I hope this walkthrough has helped clarify the process for you and I’d love to hear about your experiences with changing your Apple ID in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading and remember to pay it forward,
David P.

About Author

I'm a former Apple employee and the founder of Payette Forward, and I'm here to help you with your iPhone.

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henry
2 years ago

I have been sharing my apple id with my wife for years and now want to have my own apple id and keep all the apps, messages, passwords, contacts, calendars and pictures. I have a new iphone 13mini. Thank you in advance.

clare oechsle
2 years ago

I had to get a new apple ID for my cell, because I deleted my account by accident. I know, stupid!
SO, I got the new email and the password, however, when I try to update on my phone, they keep asking me for my password to my old Apple ID and I can’t remember that. Is there a fix for this? Thank you.

Heath
2 years ago

I set up my Apple ID with the correct email address. However, I accidentally added a letter to my last name that doesn’t need to be there. How do I edit that?

Editor
Colin Boyd
2 years ago
Reply to  Heath

Hi Heath! I’d suggest reaching out to Apple’s support team directly about this issue. They’re typically the best bet for trying to resolve minor Apple ID issuesl ike this. Best of luck!

letitia bigham
2 years ago

My iPhone is not letting me login to my app. It keeps saying “Access denied please check your credentials”. How do I fix that?

Editor
Colin Boyd
2 years ago
Reply to  letitia bigham

Hi Letitia! Are you experiencing this issue on all of your apps, or just one specific app?

Raymond
3 years ago

I am not sure if my case can be fixed with the method you explained here. My Apple ID is an email address that ceased to exist/function. I bought a brand new iPhone XR and put all my personal info into it and created a new Apple ID with my actual functioning email address. It seemed to go well to this point and my new Apple ID appeared on my new iPhone. After I did this and changed my SIM card from my old iPhone to the new one, I proceeded to regenerate the new iPhone with the backup info… Read more »

Yuhama
3 years ago

Hi,i have iphone 6 plus but i am forget the email and password what can i do

Kate
4 years ago

Hi, I had an old iPad mini with an account with a U.S address. I utilised the same Apple ID for my recent purchase of an ipad. I would like to change the email address as well as the street address ( to one that is outside the U.S) 1. does the street address really matter .. -(the billing address) 2. I have complimentary Apple TV for the yr & would like to sign up but want to switch the info 1st .3. would this affect my previous app purchases. ( would it still be there. Or should I leave… Read more »

Anonymous
5 years ago

Hi my uncle was using a iPhone 5 and he passed . So the family give me the iPhone it has password which I dont know. Pls help me in resetting it.

Anonymous
5 years ago

Doesnt work for me as I have an old @icloud address…
Really pissed off. Ive been on and of far trying to find a solution for months.

Anonymous
5 years ago

I am trying to eliminate the 6 digit code to open iPhone. When I do, it ask me for my password for Apple ID for an email address I do not use for Apple ID anymore. I changed that months ago. I do not remember that password anymore for the old email address I used to use. What now?

Anonymous
5 years ago

what to do if my iphone is blocked and i don’t remember my apple id password? So now i unlocked my phone and it says that this phone is linked to apple id ***blahblah and i don’t remember the password. I tired changing my password, but the problem is that link is sent to my phone number and my phone numper is linked to my iphone. I can’t get in my phone, help

Anonymous
5 years ago

I have forgotten my password entirely. How can be helped to reset my password on my iPhone

Anonymous
5 years ago

I like to change my Apple ID

Anonymous
5 years ago

I just want my original word game back where I have 11000 points and 45 badges

Anonymous
5 years ago

Please help me I got luck my apple id

Anonymous
5 years ago

Apple process: Stupid is as stupid does

Anonymous
5 years ago

I no longer have the email address that I set up with Apple. How can I change to my current email address

Anonymous
5 years ago

What happens to the contacts, etc. that you have on the phone? Will they remain even if you change your email address on the apple id?

Anonymous
6 years ago

i can’t remember my apple id password. what will i do?

Anonymous
6 years ago

Hello Im using a iPhone my brother gave me his phone and wen I put in his information it keeps on saying your Apple ID has been disabled for security reasons wat das that means? Please help

Anonymous
6 years ago

My companies iphone 7 and I need to reset my password to gain access to my phone. I changed my email address and it will not let me unlock this phone. My IT department was not very helpful, I guess they believe I should have never forgot my password. HELP!!

Anonymous
6 years ago

my mobile no 8947875557

Anonymous
6 years ago

Thanks – it worked for me!

Anonymous
6 years ago

Please help. Ive started at a company. They gave me a Iphone 6. I did factory reset because the previous lady no longer working for the company and nnot using icloud any more. How can I reset the iclout password

Anonymous
6 years ago

i changed my password my iphone se won’t accept it but my computer will

Anonymous
6 years ago

I no longer have access to my old email account, so the fix did not address my issue.

Anonymous
6 years ago

AND THIS was supposed to be simple? It’s like having to be able to understand this before you can undersstand this…unnecessarily complicated.

Anonymous
6 years ago

What if I no longer have access to the email account that my apple id is set up with.

Anonymous
6 years ago

I have 2 apple ids. How do I merge these accounts gracefully? Meanwhile my devices are not synching properly because of their confusion.

Anonymous
6 years ago

Very complicated procedure. Doesn’t work for me.

Anonymous
6 years ago

i rest my iphone. it want an apple id. or i forgot my apple id password. how can i unlook my iphone?

Anonymous
6 years ago

When I went to appleid.apple.com
I got this message:-

“Your connection is not private

Attackers might be trying to steal your information from appleid.apple.com. (for example, passwords, messages or credit cards). Learn more”

SInce I am going there to change or set up a password this does not seem like a very good idea!!
any other clues what to do. My apple ID email address no longer exists.

Anonymous
6 years ago

I thought this was supposed to tell us how to change the ID on the PHONE.

Anonymous
6 years ago

Ugg mine says my account has been locked for security reasons. After I finally remembered my password and now I can’t get squatt. I dislike Apple so much.

Anonymous
6 years ago

This Apple ID an password is a big mess. The IT guys think the mores complex they made, the more “secured” it is but the result is putting the users a unnessary burden. I wonder if they ever tried to use the device like a regular human being. I have the first gen. iPad mini. I hate this retarded garbage to begin with, I had been using just as a desktop clock.. But one day out of the blue, it locked me out. Since then I am not able to lock in again. I tried every method from Apple, any… Read more »

Anonymous
6 years ago

I think I’m going to buy an Android

Anonymous
6 years ago

These instructions seem to be for very specific situations. I’m trying help an elderly friend have access to the Apple Store on her iPhone. She has two Apple ID’s. No password to either ID. Neither email address is still active. I would like to set up a new ID, new password and remove the old, irrelevant ID’s from her phone. Is that even possible?

Anonymous
6 years ago

I tried to do a factory reset and now it asks for the first apple account that was on the IPhone…which one i don’t remember…niether the id or password…is there anything that can be done?
Or it will remain just like a toy for my kids from now on?

Anonymous
6 years ago

Apple sucks. Changed for a competitor smartphone (made in China), and saved time, money and problems like this.

Anonymous
6 years ago

how long does it take to pick up the new email address? been waiting asbolutely ages!!!!

Anonymous
6 years ago

can’t get to it as my account has been locked and the verification code has been sent to an email address (the one i’m trying to change) that no longer exists!

Anonymous
6 years ago

tried this and it still saying I can not use the email i want. Changed the “emailiwant” to “emailidontcareabout” logged out. logged back in to make sure it took, verfied and all. Still will not let me change it. even tried logging in with “emailiwant” and it said apple id does not exist. So it’s not tied to anything. Has anything changed? Thanks!

Brenda Adams
7 years ago

my daughter set up my phone with her apple id now i have no storage on my phone can’t take pictures because no storage available

Sureka Pandiyan
7 years ago

hi i have changed the email id to idontcareemail id but still emailidiwanttochangeto shows it is used on another apple id..:can you suggest pls

Julia Wright
7 years ago

On setting up an iPhone 5c, my husband entered an incorrect email that doesn’t actually exist. Because there is no password attached to the incorrect email there is no way to log in and get the validation email. This means there is no way to validate the phone, access icloud, or even hard reset the phone as there is no way of creating a password to do this and be able to log out of the phone. Any suggestions on how to rectify this?

Meredith Hall Lind
7 years ago

Thanks! But now I can’t seem to get iCloud to switch to the new AppleID so nothing is being backed up. I’m not seeing an option to edit the ID as I did for iTunes. Help?!