User profile for user: giovinci
giovinci Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Change primary email of my Apple ID

Hello,

I would like to change the primary email @gmail.com linked to my Apple ID with the email @icloud.com that actually is in the list of reachable at addresses.


If I try to update the primary email from @gmail.com to @icloud.com (listed in the reachable at addresses like an alias of my Apple ID) I receive the message: "This email address is already being used as an alternate email address. Remove this email address from your alternate addresses and try again."


How can I remove this email address from the alternate addresses?


Thanks,

Giovanni

Posted on Oct 16, 2019 3:17 AM

Reply

Similar questions

5 replies
Sort By: 
User profile for user: Eric Root
Eric Root
User level: Level 10
684,945 points

Oct 17, 2019 8:26 AM in response to giovinci

Does the email address you are trying to change to have an X on the right side or a question mark? You need to use one with a question mark. See if anything here helps.


Apple ID Name Change


 What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support     I suggest doing this before you change your Apple ID or password.

Reply
User profile for user: Eric Root
Eric Root
User level: Level 10
684,945 points

Oct 16, 2019 7:20 AM in response to giovinci

Based on what I have read, I suggest you leave your Apple ID email address as a 3rd party email address because you have more flexibility if you need to change the email address because the Apple ID got compromised. I also have read of many people who were locked out of their accounts when they forgot their password. Since the recovery email address is the @iCloud email address, if you forget your password, you also can't access your email to get emails from Apple to recover your account. You can set a rescue email address, but for some people, this hasn't worked.

Reply
User profile for user: giovinci
giovinci Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Oct 17, 2019 7:23 AM in response to Eric Root

Form what I reading in your message, I have to understand that I can change the primary email from @gmail.com to @icloud.com? What is the correct procedure to do?

About the risk to not be able to recover the account if I forget the password, I can use the phone number, besides to use a 3rd party rescue email address.


Reply
User profile for user: giovinci
giovinci Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Oct 21, 2019 7:09 AM in response to Eric Root

Mission accomplished! Below what I done.

I changed the Apple ID choosing the alias @icloud.com instead @mac.com (previously the principal Apple ID).

Automatically, the Apple ID was updated to the new @icloud.com in all my devices and the field Principal email address (previously @gmail.com) is disappeared. In the list of reachable at addresses the @gmail.com has become removable (X instead a question mark) and @mac.com has become an alias useful only for iMessage and FaceTime.

The @mac.com is no longer an Apple ID account, I will be able to access on iCloud only with @icloud.com or @me.com.

It was not necessary to logout from the devices.

Thanks Eric Root for your suggestions.


Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Change primary email of my Apple ID

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up