You cannot change your iTunes username directly, but you can change the Apple ID email address linked to it

Your iTunes account is built on your Apple ID, which is an email address. Apple does not let you alter the username part of that email within iTunes itself. What you can do is change which email address is attached to your Apple ID — this becomes your new login for iTunes, the App Store, iCloud, and every other Apple service tied to that account.

The process takes about 10 minutes and does not affect your music library, purchases, or payment methods. You will need access to both your current email and the new email address you want to use.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iTunes login is your Apple ID email address, and you change it by updating your Apple ID email in account settings, not within iTunes itself.
  • You must have access to both your current email and your new email address before you start, because Apple sends a verification link to the new address.
  • The change takes effect when ready after you verify the new email, and you will use the new address to log into iTunes and all other Apple services.
  • Your music, apps, purchases, and payment information stay with your account — only the login email changes.

How to change your Apple ID email on a Mac or Windows computer

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your current Apple ID email and password. Click Account Settings or Edit next to your name at the top of the page.

Under the Account section, find Apple ID or Email Address. Click Edit next to it. Enter your new email address in the field that appears. Apple will send a verification code to that new email address — check your inbox (and spam folder) for a message from Apple. Enter the code into the prompt on the website.

Once verified, your Apple ID email changes when ready. You can now use the new email address to sign into iTunes, the App Store, iCloud, and any other Apple service. Your old email will no longer work as a login.

How to change your Apple ID email on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Tap Account Settings or Edit. Look for Apple ID or Email Address and tap Edit.

Enter your new email address. Apple sends a verification code to that address — you will see a prompt asking you to enter it. Check the email inbox for the code and type it in. The change takes effect once the code is verified.

What happens to your music and purchases after the change

Nothing changes about what you own. Your iTunes music library, app purchases, in-app purchases, and any subscriptions (like Apple Music) stay attached to your account. The only thing that changes is the email you use to log in.

If you share an Apple ID with family members through Family Sharing, they will see the new email address associated with the account, but their own access and purchases are not affected. If you use iCloud to back up your phone or sync your music across devices, that continues to work the same way.

If you want a completely separate iTunes account instead

Changing your email address keeps everything under one Apple ID. If you actually want a second, separate iTunes account — for example, to keep work and personal music libraries apart — you would need to create a new Apple ID with a different email address entirely. This is a different process and results in a completely separate account with no shared purchases or library.

Most people do not need a second account. Changing your email address on your existing Apple ID is simpler and keeps all your music and purchases in one place.

What to do if you no longer have access to your old email

If your current Apple ID email is an old account you no longer use or can no longer access, you can still change it — but the process is longer. Go to appleid.apple.com, click Forgot Apple ID or password, and follow the account recovery steps. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email, a recovery phone number, or answers to security questions you set up when you created the account.

Once you have regained access to your account, you can change the email address using the steps above. If you cannot remember your security questions or no longer have access to your recovery email or phone number, contact Apple Support — they can verify your identity another way and help you regain control of the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Apple ID email affect my iCloud backup or photos?

No. Your iCloud data, backups, and photos stay with your account. The email change only affects how you log in. You will use your new email to sign into iCloud on any device, but all your existing data remains there.

Can I change my Apple ID email on my iPhone without a computer?

Yes. Open Settings, tap your name, tap Account Settings or Edit, find your email address, tap Edit, enter the new email, and verify it when Apple sends a code. You do not need a computer.

What if I want to use my old email address again later?

You can change your Apple ID email as many times as you want. If you want to switch back to your old email, follow the same steps and enter the old address. Apple will send a verification code to that email to confirm the change.

Do I need to update my password when I change my email?

No. Your password stays the same. You will use your new email address and your existing password to log in after the change takes effect.