Merge apple id's, me.com and itunes account?

Luke Noel-Storr wrote:

If you sign up to iCloud using an existing Apple ID, and get a new @me.com address, then those are not two different Apple IDs. They are the same Apple ID. They are just different aliases for the same Apple ID.

That is exactly how I view the situation, too. But according to everyone at Apple I have talked to about this (genius bar people at the store, low-level tech support on the phone, tier 2 tech support, etc.) they all say that what it comes down to is that I have 2 Apple IDs. That's how Apple sees it. I'm not saying it's right, and perhaps this is just the line they have been told to give, but that is how Apple views it. And as Apple keeps saying, when dealing with 2 Apple IDs, their line in the sand is that they cannot be merged. But again, I don't see this as a merge: I just want to change my primary email from old Apple ID email to my new @me,.com email. But they don't see it like that.

I keep hoping that Apple will one day allow this, but I'm losing hope.

At least the set-up is working for me, the only downside being that I have to hold on to my old Apple ID email address, which is kind of a bummer.

Luke Noel-Storr wrote:

OK, I think there is some confusion going on in this thread recently.

If you sign up to iCloud using an existing Apple ID, and get a new @me.com address, then those are not two different Apple IDs. They are the same Apple ID. They are just different aliases for the same Apple ID. You don't need to be worried about them being separated at any point. The email address isn't the actual ID, it is just an alias, and you can add several different email address to your ID, and sign in using any of them.

I'm not clear on this. I have an itunes account (xxx@jblongz.com), which does not have the same registered purchases as my iCloud acount (xxx@me.com).

It's a complicated situation, because it depends on how you set up your @me.com address.

1) If you got it when you set up a Mobile Me account, then it is a different Apple ID.

2) If you got it because you set up a completely new iCloud account, then it is a different Apple ID.

3) If you got it because you signed into iCloud with an existing Apple ID, and registered for an @me.com address, then they are the same Apple ID.

I hope that clarifies things, a little.

Here is my case:

1) Got an iTunes acount (several years ago)

2) Got a Mobile Me id and paid the $99 per year. (several years ago)

3) Just got the new iPhone 4S

4) Set up iCloud from my iPhone 4S. Tried to use my Mobile Me id but couldn't. When I tried to type it in to the phone it says it is already taken.

3) Just set up iCloud from my PC iTunes.

4) It used my iTunes account ID (not my Mobile Me ID)

5) Was able to sync my PC and iPhone through my iTunes id.

6) Was able to login to iCloud on the web with my iTunes ID

7) Was able to set up an email account on my iPhone 4S using the Mobile Me ID.

8) Sync on iPhone with PC uses my iTunes ID

9 Was able to login to iCloud on the with my Mobile Me ID. It appears to be a separate account then my iTunes iCloud account. The Mobil Me iCloud account is blank, but the iTunes iCloud account is the same as the PC and iPhone.

Now will pause to contemplate this situation. But clearly the iPhone 4S setup did not anticipate using the old Mobile Me id's but was willing to create a new one.

Clearly some kinks in the upgrade path. But also it is clear iCloud is my better then Mobile Me. It actually works!

Russ

Just want to add my name to the list of Apple users that wants this problem fixed. Apple please help!!!!!

I'd also like to add my name to this increasing list of frustrated customers !

Everyone who is frustrated with this, and would like to share your opinion with Apple, please do so here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/icloud.html

I have heard many seasoned discussion board members say that Apple does not read these boards, so if you want to express your frustration with this Apple ID issue, tell them directly.

Hopefully we'll get them to notice!

Just sent an email

Thanks

It's a complicated situation, because it depends on how you set up your @me.com address.

1) If you got it when you set up a Mobile Me account, then it is a different Apple ID.

2) If you got it because you set up a completely new iCloud account, then it is a different Apple ID.

3) If you got it because you signed into iCloud with an existing Apple ID, and registered for an @me.com address, then they are the same Apple ID.

I hope that clarifies things, a little.

In option 3 above, if they are for all intents and purposes the same Apple ID, then why won't Apple simply let us replace the original e-mail address with the new @me.com one? Since this wouldn't be merging accounts in any way it seems like this is a reasonable request. The other two options are going to be much more complex.

Love your twist about three way to end up in a mess. I did the last alternative first thought that was a mistake erased it made alternative two, where I am now. This **** have made me hate Apple ID more than everything else when it comes to computers and Apple particular. Have erased all payment information from it and just try update things in a very time consuming way. Music the big deal it's at least possible to buy outside Apple ecosystem. Apple have lost a couple of 100 $ from me because I'm not able to use just one Apple ID, just because they force me to use to 1 for iTunes and 1 for iCloud. Hope more people do like me and use other sources for music than iTunes .... I would like to ask people in my situation and that is most old iTunes users stop using it!!! Let it hurt...

Now they dont get my annual money for MobileMe and until they fix this they wont get my money for iTunes Match. I shouldn't be penalized for having the smarts in 2001 to not use an email address and in 2008 to pay for MobileMe so I could find my iPhone. By not fixing this they are hurting their most loyal customers.

I signed up for the free @me.com address which is linked to my Apple ID (name@gmail.com) simply because I thought I would be able to use @me.com for all my email needs and to sync the extra stuff like notes with icloud. It'd be good if I could just ditch the gmail.com and stick to the one address but until its fixed I guess I'm stuck with the two which I think just gets confusing. Maybe apple would of been better off making a different @address.com rather than @me.com to seperate the older "paid" users to the new "free" users (in consideration that iCloud came out in iOS 5 and introduced the free @me.com accounts)

Yea, I'm in this boat as well. I heard that they were proposing a possible fix a while back but nothing has ever been delivered.

Many people have an Apple ID before receiving a MobileMe ID. This forces them to have two Apple IDs.

Yes, they say you have multiple Apple IDs. It's a fairly common problem that people have been complaining about for years. Honestly, I'm surprised they seem to place such a low-priority on solving such a troublesome problem.

I don't see how it can be much harder than combining purchase histories...