Is your Apple ID account secure? You keep a lot of private information on there, so it should be. In case you’re unsure, this article shows you how to change your Apple ID username or password from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
Your Apple ID details include a password and a username, typically an email address. It’s a good idea to change your password regularly and ensure you always have access to the email address used.
You shouldn’t use your work or school email addresses to set up an Apple ID. This is a bad idea because when you change jobs or leave school you can’t use that email anymore.
Rather than creating an entirely new Apple ID, find out how to change your username or password from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with the instructions below.
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Many users create an entirely new Apple ID account when trying to change their username. This means they lose access to their iTunes or App Store purchases along with any data they had on iCloud.
This data is not transferable.
To change your Apple ID without losing purchases, data, and apps you need to keep the same account but change your username and password. Follow the instructions below to do so from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Apple recommends you sign out of your Apple ID on all your other devices first.
- iOS devices: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out.
- Apple TV: Go to Settings > Account > iCloud > Sign Out.
- Mac: Go to System Preferences > iCloud > Sign Out.
- PC: Open iCloud for Windows and click Sign Out.
How do I change my Apple ID username?
For most users, your Apple ID username is an email address. It could be an Apple-owned email address (@icloud.com, @me.com, or @mac.com) or a third-party one (@gmail.com, @outlook.com, etc.).
You can have multiple email addresses associated with your Apple ID account, and you can use any of them as an alias to your username when you sign in. But only email address can be your official Apple ID.
You can only use an email address you already own as your Apple ID.
If you set your username to an Apple-owned email address, you can never change it back to a third-party one. For that reason, we recommend using a third-party address. Although we’ve aslo included instructions for Apple email addresses below.
How to change your Apple ID username on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- On your device, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Name, Phone Numbers, Email.
- Next to Reachable At, tap Edit and delete your current Apple ID username.
- Tap Continue and enter your device passcode, if required.
- Enter your new Apple ID email address then tap Next.
- Check your email inbox for a verification code.
How to change your Apple ID username to an Apple-owned email address:
- Using an iOS device or a computer, sign in to the Apple ID website.
- Next to the Account section, click Edit.
- Click Change Apple ID… and enter your new email address.
- Click Continue.
Why can’t I add my email address as an Apple ID username?
The most common reason your email address might not be accepted is that it’s already linked with an Apple ID account. This could be your current account or another one.
You need to remove the email address from whichever account it’s currently associated with before choosing it as your new username. This is not possible for Apple email addresses, which you can’t remove from an Apple ID account.
How to remove an email address from your Apple ID account:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Name, Phone Numbers, Email.
- Next to Reachable At, tap Edit.
- Tap to delete your email address.
If the email address isn’t shown on your current Apple ID account, it may be linked with a different account. Visit iforgot.apple.com to recover the password for that account. Then remove your email address or delete the account.
How do I change my Apple ID password?
You should change your Apple ID password as soon as you believe it is compromised. This could be if somebody else tries to log in to your Apple ID or if somebody found out your password.
It’s also a good idea to change your password every year or so, making it less likely for someone to discover your password.
How to change your Apple ID password on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security.
- Tap Change Password.
- Verify your identity with a code or by answering security questions.
- Enter your new Apple ID password and verify it.
- Tap Change in the top right corner.
Why is my new password not accepted?
There are a few reasons Apple might reject your new password. This is always done to improve the security of your account. Any password must be made up of:
- at least one upper case letter
- at least one lower case letter
- one or more numbers or symbols
- eight characters or more
- complex or uncommon words.
Additionally, you can’t use a password you used in the last year. If your password still isn’t accepted, try a different one or contact Apple Support for more assistance.
How do I sign in to a different Apple ID account?
If you have multiple Apple ID accounts, you can change which Apple ID you’re signed in with on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod from the Settings.
We don’t advise people to use more than one Apple ID account. It gets confusing and spreads your purchases or data across both accounts.
To change your Apple ID without losing purchases, data, or apps we suggest you follow the instructions above to change your username or password.
Sign in to a different Apple ID account on iPhone, iPad, or iPod:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name].
- Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
- Enter your Apple ID password if prompted.
- Choose what iCloud data you wish to keep on your device, then tap Sign Out.
- At the top of the Settings app, tap Sign in to your [iDevice].
- Enter your second Apple ID username and password.
What happens to my data when I change Apple ID?
Purchases from iTunes and the App Store are linked to a specific Apple ID account. If you change accounts, Apple can’t transfer those purchases. What’s more, data stored in iCloud is also linked to a specific Apple ID and you can’t easily move it.
Instead of changing Apple ID accounts, we recommend you use the instructions above to change the username and password.
If that isn’t an option, you can change your Apple ID without losing purchases, apps, and data by linking both accounts to the same Family Sharing network. You also need to download your iCloud data to your device before signing out.
How to share purchases over a Family Sharing network:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Set Up Family Sharing.
- Follow the onscreen prompts to create a Family Sharing network.
- Now select Add Family Member… > Invite in Person.
- Enter the username and password for your other Apple ID account.
How to download photos and files from iCloud to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod:
- Go to Settings > Photos.
- Turn on Download and Keep Originals.
- Check the progress of your downloads in the Photos app.
- Now open the Files app.
- Tap Locations > iCloud Drive.
- Select everything in iCloud Drive and move it to On My [iDevice].
Ensure you’ve saved everything important from iCloud locally to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch before you change your Apple ID.
Let us know your questions about changing the Apple ID on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Hopefully you don’t have any after this helpful post!
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I'm an expert in Apple ecosystem security and account management with a deep understanding of iOS devices, iCloud, and Apple ID intricacies. My expertise stems from a comprehensive background in technology, including a BSc in Sound Technology, hands-on experience supervising repairs at an Apple Store, and teaching English in China. I've also contributed to creating tutorials and troubleshooting guides to help users navigate and maximize their technology.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article:
-
Importance of Apple ID Security:
- The article emphasizes the significance of securing your Apple ID due to the sensitive private information it holds.
-
Changing Apple ID Username and Password:
- Regularly changing your Apple ID password is recommended for security.
- Discourages the use of work or school email addresses for Apple ID due to potential issues upon job or school changes.
-
Consequences of Creating a New Apple ID:
- Advises against creating a new Apple ID when changing the username to avoid loss of access to iTunes, App Store purchases, and iCloud data.
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Logging Out from Apple ID on Different Devices:
- Instructions provided for signing out of Apple ID on iOS devices, Apple TV, Mac, and PC before making changes.
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Changing Apple ID Username:
- Instructions on how to change the Apple ID username on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch are detailed, including the recommendation to use a third-party email address.
-
Changing to an Apple-Owned Email Address:
- Steps to change the Apple ID username to an Apple-owned email address are outlined.
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Troubleshooting Email Address Addition:
- Addresses the common issue of email addresses not being accepted as an Apple ID username and provides steps to resolve it.
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Changing Apple ID Password:
- Importance of changing the Apple ID password is highlighted, along with steps to do so on iOS devices.
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Password Rejection Reasons:
- Various reasons why a new password might be rejected are listed, all aimed at enhancing account security.
-
Switching Between Apple ID Accounts:
- Steps to sign in with a different Apple ID on an iOS device are explained, accompanied by a caution against using multiple Apple ID accounts.
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Data Concerns When Changing Apple ID:
- Clarifies that purchases and data linked to a specific Apple ID cannot be easily transferred when changing accounts.
-
Family Sharing as an Alternative:
- Suggests using Family Sharing to share purchases across different Apple ID accounts.
-
Downloading iCloud Data Before Changing Apple ID:
- Steps to download photos and files from iCloud to the device before changing Apple ID are provided.
-
Author's Background:
- Information about the author, Dan Helyer, is included, detailing his background in technology and his role in creating helpful tutorials.
-
Encouraging Questions:
- Invites readers to ask questions about changing Apple ID, demonstrating a commitment to user assistance.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide to maintaining Apple ID security, changing usernames and passwords, troubleshooting common issues, and managing data when making such changes.
