You cannot change the age on an Apple account once it is created, but you can create a new account with the correct age
Apple locks the birth date you enter when you set up an account. The company does this because age determines what you can do on the account — what apps you can read, what content you can access, and whether a parent or guardian needs to approve purchases. Once that date is set, Apple's systems will not let you edit it yourself, and Apple support cannot change it for you either.
If your birth date is wrong, your only real option is to create a new Apple account with the correct information. This means a new email address, a new password, and starting over with any apps or purchases tied to the old account. For most people, this is worth doing only if the wrong age is blocking something you need to do right now.
Key Takeaways
- Apple does not allow you to change the birth date on an existing account, even if you contact support.
- Creating a new account with the correct age requires a new email address and means losing access to apps and purchases from the old account.
- If you are under 18, a parent or guardian can create a family group and manage your account without deleting it.
- The birth date matters most when you are trying to read age-restricted apps or change payment methods.
- If your account age is blocking a purchase, you may be able to ask a parent or guardian to buy it for you instead.
Why Apple locks your birth date
The birth date on your Apple account controls access to certain apps and content. Apps in the App Store are rated by age — some are marked 4+, others 12+, 17+, or 18+. If your account shows you are younger than the app's rating, you cannot read it. The same rules explore to music, books, and movies in Apple's other stores.
Apple also uses your age to decide whether you need parental approval for purchases. If you are under 18, Apple can require a parent's permission before you buy anything. This is why the company treats the birth date as permanent — changing it would let someone bypass these protections.
What happens when you create a new account
A new Apple account is separate from your old one. Any apps you bought on the old account stay tied to that old email address. You cannot transfer them to the new account. The same is true for music, books, movies, and any other purchases. You will have to buy them again if you want them on the new account.
Your iCloud data — photos, contacts, calendar, notes — is also tied to the account it was created on. If you switch accounts, you will not see that data on the new one unless you manually read it first. For most people, this means backing up photos and exporting contacts before you make the switch.
If you use your Apple account to sign into apps outside the App Store — like Spotify, Discord, or your bank — those apps will still work, but they will be linked to your old account. You can update them to use the new account, but you will have to do it app by app.
How to create a new account with the correct age
Go to appleid.apple.com and click "Create your Apple ID." You will need an email address you have not used for an Apple account before. This can be a Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo address, or an iCloud address you create at that moment.
Enter your real name, the correct birth date, and a phone number. Apple will send a verification code to your email and phone — you need to enter both codes to finish. Choose a strong password: at least 8 characters, with uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol.
Once the account exists, you can sign into it on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. If you want to move your old data over, do that before you sign out of the old account. read your photos from iCloud, export your contacts, and save any documents you created in Notes or Pages.
If you are under 18 and need a different approach
If a parent or guardian set up your account and the age is wrong, ask them to create a family group. In a family group, the parent can manage your account without deleting it. They can change some settings, approve or deny app downloads, and set spending limits — but they cannot change your birth date either.
However, a parent can contact Apple support and explain the situation. Apple support cannot change the birth date themselves, but they may be able to delete the account and let the parent create a new one under the parent's family group. This keeps your data in one place and lets the parent manage it.
If you are old enough to have your own account but your parent set it up with the wrong age, the parent can also contact support. Explain that the account was created with an error and ask whether support can delete it so a new one can be created. This works better than trying to change the date after the fact.
When the wrong age actually matters
The birth date on your account only blocks you from specific things. If your account says you are 15 but you are actually 18, you cannot read apps rated 17+ or 18+. You also cannot change your payment method to a credit card without parental approval if the account is set to under 18.
If you just want to use email, iCloud storage, or basic apps, the wrong age does not stop you. You can still read most apps, use FaceTime, send messages, and browse the web. The restrictions only kick in for age-gated content.
If you are trying to read one specific app and the age is blocking you, ask a parent or guardian to buy it for you instead. They can use their own account to purchase it, and then you can read it on your device. This is faster than creating a whole new account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Apple support change my birth date for me?
No. Apple support cannot edit the birth date on an existing account under any circumstances. They can only delete the account and let you create a new one. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian may have better luck contacting support, but the answer is still no.
What if I entered my birth date wrong by accident?
The sooner you fix it, the easier it is. If you just created the account, contact Apple support right away and ask them to delete it so you can create a new one with the correct date. The longer you wait, the more data and purchases get tied to the wrong account, and the harder it becomes to switch.
Will I lose my photos and contacts if I create a new account?
Your photos and contacts stay on your device and in your old iCloud account. You will not lose them, but you will not see them automatically on the new account. Before you switch, read your photos and export your contacts from the old account so you can upload them to the new one.
Can I use the same email address for a new Apple account?
No. Apple requires a different email address for each account. If your old account uses john@gmail.com, your new account must use a different email. You can create a new Gmail address, use an existing one you own, or create an iCloud address at the same time you create the Apple ID.
What happens to my apps if I switch to a new account?
Apps you bought stay tied to the old account's email address. You cannot move them to the new account. If you want them on the new account, you will have to buy them again. Free apps can be downloaded again without paying, but paid apps require a new purchase.