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

So glad I found this thread. I have a related problem that branches into yet another related problem.

We started out with one Original iTunes Apple ID for the whole family.  My oldest was then 8 or so.  Now he's 19.  A couple of years ago, wanting to pay for his own music, he made a Oldest Son Apple ID with his own credit card.  (He also, like the rest of us, has a me.com email. We will use those for non-purchase related iCloud functions.)  But now his music library is attached to two iTunes IDs, each with thouseands of songs, and his computer is authorized to play both.  That never seemed like a big issue before.  But as he upgrades to ios5 and iCloud, it's a conundrum. It would be great if he could merge those two accounts... (because, as I understand it, then everything is backed up together, and if he were to lose everything, he could get it back without waiting 90 days, correct?)

But... even if he COULD combine those two accounts...

Myself and my other son, now 15,  STILL use the Original iTunes ID. Already looking ahead, I would like for him to one day also use his own credit card... which means he'll have to create Youngest Son Apple ID.  And here we go again.

But surely even if Apple allows merging of two accounts, they will not ever allow songs from one account to split in half... or thirds... and each of those "married" to that person's mobile me account.

Do you see where I'm going?

Eventually kids grow up and, hopefully, PAY FOR THEIR OWN stuff.  And that means a new Apple ID associated with a new credit card.  My kids are first generation iTunes kids. But more and more people will have this issue. When I made a family account (and by the way, thankfully I have only purchased about 200 songs on that account.  I might actually re-buy those just to be excised from my kids.)

Is there something I'm missing?  Is this not another future problem that our family is obviously amongst the first to contend with?

I hope this makes sense.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3215086?tstart=0

Sorry, the point of that link is?

If that was directed at me, clearly someone didn't read the whole discussion.  I am well aware that Apple ID's can't be merged at this time.  I was merely pointing out ANOTHER new issue arising with this old rule and the new iCloud and families, since that's what we've been talking about. (And one that wouldn't even necessarily be solved by Apple changing its policy on merging ID's.)

But, akirasixty9 didn't post anything!  If you are referring to Souad H, then you should click on the reply button in his post if you want to respond to him.

Also, you can see that his post was 'directed' at you, as it says 'in response to boysmum'.

I was trying to use the Iwork functionality on icloud but could not use it as I have a different app store ID to my mobile.me Id (that was transferred to icloud) I tried out what someone here suggested and that is to change my original apple id (app store) to my m.me email(now icloud ID).

I entered  manage my account and then tried to  change my ID but when I put my Icloud mail it says I cant use it because that’s not my main e-mail so then I try to change my primary e-mail and it says I cant use it because it belongs to another apple ID so it looks like a catch 22 situation…am I missing some step? Starting to get really confused with this mess.

Please Apple sort this Cr**p up, its annoying to say the least

Where do I report this idiocy? every time I go to support it says I have to purchase a ticket lolol dear god

well it's for gyes who asked about merge apple id's

Have you seen the title of this thread?  What do you think the 15 pages have been about!?!  That link doesn't say anything that hasn't been posted here many times.

...and i looks like by the time apple does something about it there will be another 15 pages. I suppose that it will only be corrected in IOS 5.0.1 and god knows when thats out. In the mean time no m.me except for the galleries and half an icloud. The other users that had no m.me account can use the same e-mail/ID and have all of icloud working, nice.

sorry if I don't quite have this forum down yet. apologies.

It has nothing to do with iOS5.  People have been complaining to Apple for years about this, and they point blank refuse to do anything about it.  There have been recent murmurings about changing their minds, but I personally don't believe it will happen. I hope I'm wrong!

igmackenzie, you really do need to read the whole thread.  Apple has always had this policy, but there are new issues with IOS5 and iCloud. I'm not going to re-list them again.  Scroll back a few pages.

I don't need to read the whole thread, I am well aware of its contents and the new issues.  My point was/is that people have been complaining about similar issues and the inability to merge Apple IDs for years.  Despite the new twists, it's still the same main issue.

Yes, there were many complaints before iOS 5 about not being able to merge Apple IDs / Accounts, but iOS 5 has magnified the problems by 100-fold.  Prior to iOS 5, all music, apps and books were synced to devices via USB.  So, as long as all your digital downloads were on your desktop/laptop computer, everything was synced that you wanted synced regardless from which account it was purchased.  Now via wi-fi instead of being tethered to USB, you are now "tethered" i.e. locked-into for 90 days to one Applle account.  Once you identify your wi-fi sync account you cannot use any other account for at least 90 days.  This is not quite the 'old' merging ID problems because now it effects everyone with multiple accounts.

We're all on the same side here!

I didn't say it was the same as the 'old' merging problems.  I said, that the main issue, i.e. merging Apple IDs, is the same.