Your Apple ID is the account you use to access Apple services like the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and more. It is essential to keep your Apple ID up-to-date, especially if you change your primary email address. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to change your primary Apple ID address on an iPhone.
Please note that this guide assumes you already have an Apple ID and you’re looking to change the email address associated with it.
Understanding the Different Types of Apple ID Email Addresses
Before proceeding with the steps to change your primary Apple ID address, it’s crucial to understand the different types of email addresses associated with an Apple ID:
Primary Email Address: This is the main email address associated with your Apple ID account. It is used for account-related notifications, password resets, and communication with Apple support.
Rescue Email Address: The rescue email address serves as a backup to the primary email address. It is used for account recovery purposes and to receive important account-related information.
Notification Email Address: This email address is used to receive notifications from Apple services like iCloud and Find My.
Alternate Email Address: The alternate email address serves as an additional point of contact for your Apple ID account. It can be used to sign in to your account and receive password reset emails.
Please note that this guide focuses on changing the primary email address of your Apple ID.
Preparing to Change Your Primary Apple ID Address
Before changing your primary Apple ID address, there are a few things you need to do:
Sign out of your Apple ID on all devices: To avoid any issues during the process, sign out of your Apple ID on all your devices, including your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and any other Apple devices you may own.
Make sure you have access to the new email address: Ensure that you have access to the new email address you want to use as your primary Apple ID address. You’ll need to verify the email address during the process.
Check your new email address for compatibility: If your current Apple ID email address is an iCloud, Me, or Mac email address (i.e., an email address ending with @icloud.com, @me.com, or @mac.com), you cannot change your primary email address. In this case, you’ll need to create a new Apple ID with a different email address.
Changing Your Primary Apple ID Address on an iPhone
Follow these steps to change your primary Apple ID address on your iPhone:
Open the Settings app: Locate and tap the “Settings” app icon on your iPhone’s home screen.
Tap your name: At the top of the Settings app, tap your name to access your Apple ID account settings.
Tap “Name, Phone Numbers, Email”: In the Apple ID account settings, tap “Name, Phone Numbers, Email” to access your account’s email settings.
Tap “Edit” next to the “Reachable At” section: In the “Name, Phone Numbers, Email” screen, tap the “Edit” button located next to the “Reachable At” section.
Remove your current primary email address: To remove your current primary email address, tap the red minus sign icon next to it, followed by the “Delete” button that appears.
Add your new primary email address: Tap the “Add Email or Phone Number” option and select “Add Email Address.” Enter your new primary email address and tap “Next.”
Verify your new email address: Apple will send a verification code to the new email address you provided. Check your inbox for the email from Apple, and note down the verification code. Return to the “Name, Phone Numbers, Email” screen on your iPhone, and enter the verification code in the appropriate field. Tap “Next” to complete the process.
Updating Your Apple ID Email Address on Other Devices
After changing your primary Apple ID address on your iPhone, you’ll need to update the email address associated with your Apple ID on all your other devices. To do this, follow the steps below for each device:
a. iPad or iPod touch:
i. Open the Settings app.
ii. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
iii. Tap “Sign Out” at the bottom of the screen.
iv. Sign back in using your updated Apple ID email address and password.
b. Mac (macOS Catalina or later):
i. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
ii. Click “Apple ID.”
iii. Click “Overview” in the sidebar.
iv. Click “Sign Out” and confirm.
v. Sign back in using your updated Apple ID email address and password.
c. Mac (macOS Mojave or earlier):
i. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
ii. Click “iCloud.”
iii. Click “Sign Out” and confirm.
iv. Sign back in using your updated Apple ID email address and password.
d. Apple TV:
i. Navigate to “Settings” > “Users and Accounts.”
ii. Select your account.
iii. Click “Sign Out.”
iv. Sign back in using your updated Apple ID email address and password.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues while changing your primary Apple ID address on your iPhone, try these troubleshooting tips:
Ensure you’re running the latest version of iOS on your iPhone. To check for updates, go to “Settings” > “General” > “Software Update.”
Make sure your new primary email address is not already associated with another Apple ID. If it is, you’ll need to remove it from the other account before you can use it as your primary email address.
If you’re unable to remove your current primary email address, ensure that it is not set as your rescue, notification, or alternate email address. To check, go to “Settings” > [your name] > “Name, Phone Numbers, Email” and scroll down to view the different email addresses associated with your account.
Conclusion
Changing your primary Apple ID address on an iPhone is a straightforward process, but it’s essential to follow the steps carefully and update the email address on all your devices. By keeping your Apple ID up-to-date, you’ll ensure smooth access to Apple services and maintain the security of your account.
