The two ways to change your iCloud email
You have two separate paths depending on what you want to do. If you want to keep your current iCloud email but add a different email address to your account so you can sign in with either one, you add an alias. If you want to replace your iCloud email entirely with a new one, you change your primary email address — but Apple does not let you do this through settings. Instead, you have to create a new Apple ID with the new email and transfer your data over.
Most people want to add an alias, not replace their email. An alias lets you receive mail at a new address without losing access to everything tied to your original iCloud email. Your apps, purchases, photos, and documents all stay connected to your original Apple ID.
Key Takeaways
- Adding an alias (a second email address you can use to sign in) takes five minutes and keeps your original iCloud email active.
- Changing your primary iCloud email requires creating a new Apple ID, which means your old email stops working for sign-in and you lose the ability to recover your account with it.
- You can add up to three aliases to a single Apple ID, and you choose which one appears as your "from" address when you send mail.
- If you create a new Apple ID to change your primary email, you will need to transfer purchases and subscriptions manually — Apple does not move them automatically.
How to add an email alias in Settings
Open Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Tap or click your name at the top, then select iCloud. Look for your iCloud email address and tap or click the dropdown arrow next to it. Choose Add an alias.
You will see two options: create a new iCloud address (something@icloud.com or something@me.com) or add an existing email address you already own. If you choose to add an existing email, Apple sends a confirmation link to that address. Click the link to verify you own it. Once verified, you can sign in to your Apple ID with either your original iCloud email or the new alias.
After you add an alias, go to Mail settings and choose which address you want to appear in the "from" line when you send messages. Your inbox still receives mail sent to either address.
What happens when you change your primary email
If you want to stop using your iCloud email altogether and switch to a completely different email address as your Apple ID, you cannot do this by editing your account. Instead, you create a new Apple ID with the new email address, then move your important data to it.
Before you start, understand what stays and what does not move. Your iCloud photos, documents, notes, and reminders can be transferred. Your App Store purchases, subscriptions, and payment methods do not transfer — you will need to re-read apps and re-subscribe to services on the new Apple ID. Game progress, saved data in third-party apps, and anything stored in those apps' own accounts will not move either.
Your old iCloud email address becomes inactive for sign-in, though you can still receive mail there if you set up forwarding. You will not be able to use it to recover your account anymore.
Step-by-step: Creating a new Apple ID and moving your data
Go to appleid.apple.com and click Create your Apple ID. Enter the new email address you want to use, create a strong password, and complete the security questions. Apple will send a verification code to your new email — enter it to confirm.
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, and select Sign Out. Choose to keep a copy of your iCloud data on this device (you will need it). Sign in with your new Apple ID when prompted.
Once signed in, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and turn on the data types you want to sync: Photos, Notes, Reminders, Contacts, Calendars, and others. iCloud will merge this data with what is already in your new account. This process can take several hours depending on how much data you have.
On your old Apple ID account (at appleid.apple.com), you can set up mail forwarding so messages sent to your old iCloud address go to your new one. Sign in with your old credentials, go to Account settings, find the email section, and look for forwarding options.
Why you might want to keep your old iCloud email
Your iCloud email is tied to your Apple ID in ways that are hard to untangle. Apps you bought, subscriptions you pay for, and recovery options all connect to it. If you change your primary email, you lose the ability to use your old address to reset your password or recover your account.
Adding an alias instead solves most problems without these complications. You get a new email address to use, but your original iCloud email stays active in the background. If you ever need to recover your account or access old purchases, your original email still works.
What to do if you cannot access your old email anymore
If your old iCloud email is locked or you no longer have access to it, you can still add a new email address as an alias. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud, find your email, and add an alias using a different email you control. This gives you a working email address tied to your account without losing your Apple ID.
If you have already lost access to your Apple ID entirely, you will need to contact Apple Support. They can verify your identity through security questions, your device, or a recovery email address you set up in the past. Have your device serial number and any recovery information ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have two Apple IDs with different iCloud emails on the same device?
Yes. On iPhone and iPad, you can sign in to one Apple ID in Settings and a different one in the App Store. On Mac, you can create multiple user accounts, each with its own Apple ID. This is useful if you share a device with family members.
If I add an alias, will my contacts see the new email address?
Only if you change your Mail settings to show the alias as your "from" address. By default, mail still appears to come from your original iCloud email. You control which address shows up in each message you send.
What if I delete an alias by mistake?
You can add it back anytime. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud, tap your email, and select Add an alias again. There is no waiting period or penalty for removing and re-adding the same address.
Do I lose my iCloud storage if I change my primary email?
Your storage plan stays with your Apple ID, not your email address. If you have 200 GB of iCloud storage, it moves with you to your new Apple ID. However, you will need to re-read and re-sync your data to see it in the new account.
Can I use a Gmail or Outlook address as my Apple ID?
Yes. When you create a new Apple ID, you can use any email address you own, not just an iCloud address. This is useful if you already have a Gmail account and want to use that instead of creating a new iCloud email.