Trying to Change my Old Apple ID account to my New Apple ID account; email unavailable

Question

Level 1

4 points

Trying to Change my Old Apple ID account to my New Apple ID account; email unavailable

I just made a new Apple ID on my MacBook and I want to change the Apple ID on my phone, as it's a different one. But it seems that I can't sign out of the Apple ID account without losing my iCloud data, but whenever I try to change the email it says "this email address is not available. Choose a different address." This could be because I just made an Apple ID account with it, but I can't figure out how else to add the new Apple ID.

I'm very confused.

iPhone 6

Posted on Dec 24, 2019 10:04 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Eric Root

Level 10

684,567 points

Dec 25, 2019 9:25 AM in response to booknbean

You can't use the same email address for 2 different Apple IDs. On the phone, when changing to the new ID, there may be some data loss, but you can minimize it. If syncing photos with iCloud, ensure Optimization is turned off in Settings/Your Name/iCloud/Photos and/or in Photos/Preferences/iCloud. Then make sure full resolution photos are on the device/computer. When signing out of iCloud, if asked whether you want to retain data, choose yes. Messages conversations will be lost if they are addressed to the ID. See the article below for other places that the old ID should be removed. See Winston Churchill's response in the below discussion. Also set up Family Sharing to keep access to your apps/purchases.

How to transfer all files from one iCloud account to another

Apple ID email address or password - What to do after you change

Family Sharing

Family Sharing - Set up

Reply