Change Apple ID on one of two phones sharing an ID

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Change Apple ID on one of two phones sharing an ID

Long question:

Parent's phones. They've been sharing an Apple ID. I have created a new ID for my mom and tried to switch her phone to it but having trouble:

I can change to her new ID in settings>Name & ID>iTunes & App Store, but it's still connected to my dad's phone.

If I try to change the "Reachable At," I get a message that I can't use the email being used for notifications.

If I remove a phone number from "Reachable At" it takes it off of both phones.

#1 - What am I doing wrong? Is there a step I've missed to disconnect the two phones before I try to switch to her new Apple ID?

#2 - If I finally succeed, will she lose her pictures and contacts? I have it backed up to a computer, but if I restore from that back up, won't I just put it back to my dad's Apple ID?

iPhone 7

Posted on Sep 4, 2020 4:27 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Eric Root

Level 10

684,657 points

Sep 4, 2020 5:23 PM in response to Laura Sievert

Did you create a new ID using the steps in the articles below or change her existing ID email address?

Apple ID - create a new.

Apple ID – Create

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. If possible, also set up Family Sharing between the IDs to keep access to your apps/purchases.

How to switch Apple IDs on your iPhone or iPad.

How to transfer all files from one iCloud account to another.

What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support.

Family Sharing.

Family Sharing - Set up.

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Answer 2

Sep 15, 2020 2:19 PM in response to Eric Root

Hi Eric,

Yeah, that wasn't clear. The existing Apple ID for both phones is on my dad's email. So I used my mom's email to create her Apple ID. But when I changed her phone to her new ID, it still used my dad's as all the apps were still being shared and when I changed the ID of my mom's phone to her name, it changed my dad's too. I haven't been able to get back and work on it since I asked the question, but hopefully this week I will. I'll use your article above - possibly l missed a step when I tried to change it. Thanks!

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

684,657 points

Sep 15, 2020 2:24 PM in response to Laura Sievert

You are welcome. Did you create a new Apple ID for your Mom using the above articles. If you set up Family Sharing, then your dad's apps should be shared and not require his ID.

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Answer 4

Sep 15, 2020 3:05 PM in response to Eric Root

I originally created my mom's ID by just going into the apple site and making an ID. I plan on setting up the sharing once we get it all straightened out ;)

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Change Apple ID on one of two phones sharing an ID

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