how to access old apple id that no longer exists?

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Level 1

17 points

how to access old apple id that no longer exists?

I once had an apple id using an email address I no longer use. This was from years ago, before I had iPhones, before app stores, from the days when there was only iTunes. Years ago when I moved, I transferred all my CDs to iTunes. All that music is apparently associated with that old apple id. When I got an iPhone, 7-8 years ago, I got another apple ID, using an email I still use today. At some point I'm pretty sure I "merged" those two apple IDs. However, now when I try to play any songs from albums I purchased as CDs years ago and added to iTunes, I'm told I need to associate my current computer with the old apple ID I had when the music was added to my iTunes library. I tried doing this, but I can't remember the password for the old apple ID, sO I tried clicking "change password" (Note: I can now access the email address for that old apple ID if I need to, but that is not the problem. When I start the "change password" steps, I get an error saying the apple id, the old one that iTunes is asking me to authorize the computer to use, does not exist! How is it iTunes can ask me to authorize a computer to access music "purchased" with an apple ID that DOES NOT EXIST? And how am I supposed to authorize it? Thanks.

NOTE: I am using a Mac Mini 2014, but that option wasn't included in the list of devices. At the time I added the music to iTunes, I was using a 2008 MacBook Pro

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Oct 11, 2019 9:03 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Chris_D13

Community Specialist

Oct 16, 2019 8:11 AM in response to michael-stx

Hello michael-stx,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. I understand that you want to reset the password to the Apple ID that you previously used with your iTunes account. Upon attempting to reset the Apple ID password, you received a message that the Apple ID doesn’t exist. I’m happy to help.

For additional help with your Apple ID, please contact Apple’s Account Security team here: Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support

Take care.

Reply

Answer 2

michael-stx Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 16, 2019 2:35 PM in response to Chris_D13

Great. I'm all ears. How can you help?

I've followed the link above. The only help provided there that I can find is a link to the "Apple ID" page where you can "reset your password, change preferences, edit privacy settings or...". I've been there. That's where I got the message saying the Apple ID I was trying to change the password for does not exist.