You can change your Apple ID email address, but the process depends on whether you want a new address or are switching to a different one you already own

Apple lets you change the email address tied to your Apple ID, but the steps differ based on your situation. If you want to use a completely new email address, you'll create one through Apple during the change process. If you already have another email address you'd rather use, you can switch to that instead. The change takes effect when ready on your Apple ID, though some services like iCloud mail may take longer to fully update across Apple's systems.

Before you start, know that changing your Apple ID email is different from changing just your iCloud email address. Your Apple ID email is what you use to sign into iTunes, the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services. Your iCloud email is the @icloud.com or @me.com address you might use for mail. This guide covers changing your Apple ID email.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Apple ID email on any device where you're signed in, or through Apple's account website without signing in first.
  • If you create a new Apple email address during the change, it will be an @icloud.com address you can use for mail and other services.
  • You'll need to verify ownership of your new email address before the change completes, which usually takes a few minutes.
  • After you change your Apple ID email, you'll need to sign back into apps and services on your devices using the new address.
  • If you forget your new Apple ID email, you can recover your account using your phone number or a recovery email address you set up beforehand.

Change your Apple ID email on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Tap Password & Security, then tap Edit next to your email address. You'll see your current Apple ID email listed. Tap Change Email Address.

You now choose between creating a new Apple email address or using an existing email you already own. If you select Create a new Apple ID email, Apple generates an @icloud.com address for you. If you select Use existing email, enter the address you want to switch to. Either way, Apple sends a verification code to your new email address. Check that inbox, enter the code, and the change completes.

After the change, you'll be signed out of your device. Sign back in using your new Apple ID email address. You may also need to sign back into individual apps like Mail, Photos, or iCloud Drive if they ask for your credentials.

Change your Apple ID email on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click your name at the top of the sidebar. Click Password & Security, then click the Edit button next to your email address. Select either Create a new Apple ID email or Use existing email, depending on what you want to do.

If you're creating a new Apple email, the system generates an @icloud.com address. If you're using an existing email, type it in. Apple sends a verification code to your new address. Open that email, copy the code, and paste it into the prompt on your Mac. Your Apple ID email changes when ready, and you'll be signed out.

Sign back in with your new email address. Check your System Settings to make sure the change took effect — your new email should now appear under your name in the top section.

Change your Apple ID email through Apple's website

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser. Click Sign in and enter your current Apple ID email and password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, complete that step as well.

Once you're signed in, click Personal Information in the left sidebar. You'll see your current Apple ID email listed. Click Edit next to it. Choose whether to create a new Apple email address or use an existing one. Enter the new address if you're using an existing email, then click Continue.

Apple sends a verification code to your new email address. Check that inbox and enter the code on the website. The change takes effect right away. You'll need to sign out of your Apple ID on all your devices and sign back in using your new email address.

What happens to your old Apple ID email

Your old email address stops working as your Apple ID when ready after the change. You can't use it to sign into Apple services anymore. However, Apple keeps that old email address associated with your account as a recovery option for up to 30 days. If you need to recover your account during that window, you can use your old email address along with other recovery methods.

After 30 days, Apple releases the old email address, and someone else could potentially register it. If you want to keep using that old email for other purposes, you can do so — it just won't be tied to your Apple ID anymore.

Sign back into your devices and apps

After you change your Apple ID email, you'll be signed out of your device or devices. On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to Settings (or System Settings on Mac), tap or click your name, and sign in again using your new Apple ID email and password. This usually takes a few minutes.

Some apps may ask you to sign in separately, especially Mail, iCloud Drive, Photos, and Notes. Open each app and enter your new Apple ID email when prompted. If an app doesn't ask, you may need to go into its settings and sign out, then sign back in manually.

Check that your iCloud data is syncing properly after you sign back in. Open iCloud settings and make sure the toggles for Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Photos, and other services are turned on. If data isn't syncing, try signing out and back in again.

If you created a new Apple email address

When you choose to create a new Apple email address during the change process, Apple assigns you an @icloud.com address. This address works as both your Apple ID and an email account you can use to send and receive mail. You can access it through Mail on your devices, or through iCloud.com in a web browser.

You can also set up forwarding if you want emails sent to your new Apple address to go somewhere else. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Mail, then tap Accounts. Select your iCloud account, tap Account, and look for forwarding options. On Mac, open Mail, go to Mail menu > Preferences, select your iCloud account, and check the forwarding settings.

Your new Apple email address is permanent and tied to your Apple ID. You can't change it again for 30 days after the initial change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Apple ID email if I have two-factor authentication on?

Yes. Two-factor authentication actually makes the process more find. When you try to change your email, Apple will send a verification code to a trusted device or phone number you've already set up. You'll enter that code before the change goes through. This protects your account from unauthorized changes.

What if I forget my new Apple ID email after I change it?

You can recover your account using your phone number or a recovery email address you set up beforehand. Go to iforgot.apple.com, select "I forgot my Apple ID", and follow the prompts. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using your phone number, recovery email, or security questions. Once verified, you can see your Apple ID email or reset your password.

Do I need to change my iCloud email address too?

No. Your Apple ID email and your iCloud email address are separate. You can change your Apple ID email without touching your iCloud mail address. However, if you created a new Apple email address during the Apple ID change, that new address becomes an iCloud email you can use for mail. Your old iCloud address remains unchanged unless you specifically modify it in iCloud settings.

How long does it take for the email change to work everywhere?

The change to your Apple ID takes effect when ready on Apple's servers. However, it may take a few minutes to a few hours for the change to sync across all Apple services on your devices. If you're having trouble signing into a service with your new email, try signing out completely and signing back in. Restarting your device can also help speed up the sync.

Can I use a Gmail or Outlook address as my Apple ID?

Yes. When you change your Apple ID email, you can choose to use any existing email address you own, including Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or any other provider. Apple will send a verification code to that address to confirm you own it. After verification, that email becomes your Apple ID and you'll use it to sign into all Apple services.