User profile for user: ironfinger3
ironfinger3 Author
User level: Level 1
13 points

How to change email address in iTunes account?

My iTunes Apple ID email address does not exist anymore, so I have to change the email address to get the bills of my buys.

I can't change the email address in the "edit account data" section, how do I do?

Thanks in advance

iMac 24", Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Jul 26, 2010 12:06 PM

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User profile for user: D0GG
D0GG
User level: Level 3
957 points

Sep 10, 2010 12:07 PM in response to Ed State

I'm not sure where you got that from.

open iTunes
select iTunes store on the sidebar
point at your account email in the upper right of the iTunes store bar
click on the little down arrow that appears next to your account email address
select "Account" from the list that appears
enter your password
click the Edit account info button
change your email add and click "Done" at the bottom of the window

You have just changed your account email!

I think you will receive a confirmation email to the address you changed it to.
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User profile for user: Chris CA
Chris CA
User level: Level 10
82,513 points

Sep 11, 2010 9:34 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

You will see your Apple ID - which can't be changed

Yes it can be changed, very easily.
Log into -> https://appleid.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyAppleId.woa/62/wa/directCallLandi ngIndex?wosid=vVCitwjC0F7jm0dpziLH70&localang=en_US

Go here
User uploaded file

then here
User uploaded file

But you cannot change it to a .mac or mobileme ID yourself.
Apple/iTunes store can.
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User profile for user: Ed State
Ed State
User level: Level 2
459 points

Sep 12, 2010 9:49 AM in response to Chris CA

Quote:

"
I understand that you'd like to change your existing iTunes Store account name to reflect the name of your MobileMe account. I do apologize for the inconvenience, but as stated previously, it is not possible to change the name of an existing iTunes Store account to that of a MobileMe account, nor is it possible to merge two Apple IDs together if you create a new iTunes Store account.

While I certainly understand your reasoning for wanting to do so, this is simply something that cannot be done due to system limitations. We welcome your feedback, and if you would like to provide suggestions for ways that we can improve our service, I recommend visiting out feedback page:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

If you have any questions, please reply to this message to let me know. Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

*,
iTunes Store Senior Advisor
"
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User profile for user: Ed State
Ed State
User level: Level 2
459 points

Sep 10, 2010 12:45 PM in response to D0GG

I know. It seems crazy... In fact, they were getting really annoyed with me because I kept saying "…REALLY?"

But they were adamant. Both reps, as well as the iTunes "elevated" support that they were "chatting" with. They even specifically told me NOT to do what was suggested, precisely BECAUSE it would create a second account, and all my apps wouldn't update, etc.

The main problem is, in my case, I'm trying to go from an old road runner email to my current MobileMe email, and the problem (for some reason) lies in switching TO the MobileMe email.

I may just try it anyway… and then raise holy heck if things go bizarro. I have heard that they do emergency "merges" on a case-by-case basis.
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User profile for user: D0GG
D0GG
User level: Level 3
957 points

Sep 10, 2010 2:08 PM in response to Ed State

That is one reason that I suggest to everyone... get a domain you like and get email hosting. It is very cheap. If you get your own domain address then technically you never have to worry about using it so long as you keep the account current. There are a lot of places that offer email hosting for $10-$15 a year.
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User profile for user: Ed State
Ed State
User level: Level 2
459 points

Sep 11, 2010 8:26 AM in response to Chris CA

Do you know how?

I have gotten nothing but the runaround with support. Tech, customer service, and iTunes support all say that there's NO WAY to do this.

Again, this is simply amazing to me. Apple should WANT people to consolidate IDs/emails to a MobileMe account, not keep users from doing that.

Also, seeing how big iTunes is getting, with the introduction of Ping and the future of AppleTV, the fact that iTunes doesn't have an 800# is doing to really hurt them. A chat, at the very least.
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User profile for user: Chris CA
Chris CA
User level: Level 10
82,513 points

Sep 11, 2010 8:55 AM in response to Ed State

Do you know how?

They simply sent an email to the link I gave asking to convert/link their old ID to their .mac account.
A chat, at the very least

When you go here and select an option under *Get Customer Service*, chat shows up if there is someone actually available the time.
It also seems to be available for some issues but not others.
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User profile for user: Roger Wilmut1
Roger Wilmut1
User level: Level 10
131,398 points

Sep 11, 2010 9:13 AM in response to Chris CA

What you need to do is change the email address associated with your user account name, not the account name itself (which looks like an email address but isn't necessarily one).

In iTunes, open the Store. Click on Account in the list on the right. Log in. In the pane which opens click on 'Edit Account Info'.

You will see your Apple ID - which can't be changed - and below it an email address which you can change to anything you want.
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User profile for user: Roger Wilmut1
Roger Wilmut1
User level: Level 10
131,398 points

Sep 11, 2010 2:51 PM in response to Chris CA

So if I may take the liberty of summarizing for the benefit of the OP (if he's waded through all this): he can't change his Apple ID, but he can change the email address in iTunes to which any messages from them will be sent. The fact that the Apple ID is the same as an expired MobileMe account (I assume) doesn't matter because it's an ID, not an actual email address.
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User profile for user: Roger Wilmut1
Roger Wilmut1
User level: Level 10
131,398 points

Sep 12, 2010 10:17 AM in response to Ed State

Quote: I understand that you'd like to change your existing iTunes Store account name to reflect the name of your MobileMe account.


This isn't the issue. The OP is registered with an ID which is the same as an email address which no longer functions, if I read it correctly. It doesn't matter if the ID happens to be the same as a dead email address; it's just an ID and can continue to be used. What needs to be done is to change the email address associated with the ID: this does not have to be the same as the ID, and there is a separate field in iTunes Account Info to enter this.

User uploaded file
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User profile for user: Ed State
Ed State
User level: Level 2
459 points

Sep 12, 2010 10:18 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Gotcha. I jumped on the thread because my situation is very similar (defunct email address as ID).

Sure, they'll let you change your email "notification" settings… and that may have been all the OP was interested in… but hopefully the other information provided in this thread will help people in similar, if not exact, situations.

However, I still contend that an ID is important. And for iTunes to require that ID to be in the form of an email address, and then "LOCK" that in place forever (without a warning) is a PROBLEM.

I've already submitted feedback, and I would hope others would do the same.
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User profile for user: Chris CA
Chris CA
User level: Level 10
82,513 points

Sep 12, 2010 12:45 PM in response to Ed State

If you have not misunderstood then you would know that,
"iTunes to require that ID to be in the form of an email address, and then "LOCK" that in place forever

is a false statement.
I have changed my current iTunes account ID a few times.

You cannot change it from your .mac ID and for some reason, Apple is telling you that you cannot change it TO your .mac ID but those are exceptions to the rule.
Also, if you have an AOL ID you have used with iTunes, you can convert that.

The original question has been answered so good luck!
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How to change email address in iTunes account?

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