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How to change your Apple ID on an iPhone
Your Apple ID is the hub for all things Apple, so it’s imperative that you change it if you stop using the email associated with the account. If you’re ready to make the move, we’re here to show you how to change your Apple ID on an iPhone.
QUICK ANSWER
To change your Apple ID on an iPhone, go to Settings > Apple ID > Name, Phone Numbers, Email > Edit (next to Reachable At) > "--" sign > Delete > Continue. Enter your new email address and hit Next. Apple will send a verification code to your new email address. Enter the verification code on your iPhone.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
Editor’s note: All steps in this article were formulated using an iPhone 12 Mini running iOS 16.1.1. Some steps may differ if you have different hardware and software.
What happens when you change your Apple ID on an iPhone
Some of you may be wary of changing your Apple ID email. You probably fear this will somehow affect your synced numbers, photos, and other iCloud services. This isn’t the case. The only thing that will happen is that the associated email will change. This means you’ll need to enter the new email whenever you want to sign in to your Apple ID account. You will also receive notifications or verification requests to the new email address.
There is, however, one small detail to keep in mind. If you’re using an Apple email address (@icloud.com, @me.com, @mac.com), you won’t be able to change your Apple ID back to a third-party email address. Keep this in mind, as you won’t be able to switch back if you change your Apple ID email to an Apple one. Also, in some markets, it’s possible to use a phone number as an Apple ID. Those with an email-associated Apple ID can’t switch to a phone number, and vice-versa. You can switch between phone numbers, though, and the process is the same.
Now, those who decide to switch to an entirely new Apple ID instead of simply changing the email address associated with the account, might face more issues. This is a completely new account, which means your purchased apps, services, and subscriptions will no longer be available. You’ll have to make those purchases again. You’ll also have to resubscribe to services. If apps are already in the device when you switch accounts, they’ll still be there, but you may have trouble updating them and re-downloading them if they are paid apps.
Your iCloud-synced contacts, photos, and other content will be there, as long as they are stored locally. You can then turn on sync, and they’ll be re-uploaded to your new Apple ID account. If you use services like Find My or Apple Pay, you’ll have to set them up again. Do you have an Apple Card? It’s also tied to your Apple ID, which might be a reason not to switch at all.
How to change your Apple ID on an iPhone
If you’re ready to change the email associated with your Apple ID, here’s how to do it.
- Launch the Settings app.
- Tap on your Apple ID section, which has your name on it.
- Go into Name, Phone Numbers, Email.
- You’ll see your Apple ID email in the Reachable At section. There’s an Edit option next to it. Tap on it.
- You’ll see a red “–” sign next to your Apple ID email address. Tap on it.
- Select Delete.
- You’ll be asked to confirm the action. Hit Continue.
- Enter the new email address and select Next.
- Apple will send a verification code to your new email address. Find it, and enter it on the iPhone when requested.
- You’re done!
How to switch the Apple ID on an iPhone
Now, switching to a completely different Apple ID is a bit easier, but as mentioned above, it will result in more drastic consequences. If you’re sure you want to do this, here are the steps.
- Launch the Settings app.
- Tap on your Apple ID section, which has your name on it.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap on Sign Out.
- Enter your credentials and hit Turn Off.
- Toggle on everything you want to keep a copy of on your iPhone.
- Select Sign out.
- Confirm the action by tapping Sign Out again.
- Now it’s time to sign into the new account. Go back to the main Settings page.
- Select Sign into your iPhone.
- Enter your credentials and hit Next.
- You may be asked for a verification code. Enter it.
- Done!
FAQs
Yes. Changing your email address associated with your Apple ID is relatively simple to do straight from an iPhone.
No. You’re simply changing the email address linked to the account. All your information, apps, photos, contacts, and other details will stay untouched.
Data stored locally will stick around, and you can sync it to a new Apple ID once you switch. Everything that lives in the cloud will be inaccessible, though. Additionally, you might have issues updating or re-downloading paid apps, as the new account won’t have them. This means you might have to re-purchase apps. Additionally, you’ll have to set up subscription services, Apple Pay, and other Apple services again.
In some regions, it’s possible to associate a phone number with your Apple ID. If you already have a phone number-linked Apple ID, you cannot change it to an email. The same works the other way around. You have to switch from phone number to phone number, or from email to email.
Your Apple Card is linked to your Apple ID, and it can’t be transferred. You can keep it if you simply change your Apple ID email, but sadly, it won’t work with a completely new Apple ID.