Can't change Apple ID

Question

Level 4

1,343 points

Can't change Apple ID

I created my Apple account under a Gmail address. Yesterday I created an iCloud email address through my Apple account so it was associated with my account already. Currently it is a secondary alias. I would like to make it the primary alias and remove my Gmail address entirely.

When I try to do so I get a message saying "This email address cannot be used as an Apple ID at this time."

Is there a reason I can't change my email right now?

Any feedback is appreciated.

Posted on Mar 3, 2021 5:00 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

Cruzermur Author

Level 4

1,343 points

Mar 3, 2021 5:59 PM in response to Eric Root

I never created an iCloud address when I made my Apple account. I just created this address yesterday.

This is the message I get when trying to add my secondary alias (iCloud email) as my primary Apple ID.

Reply

Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

684,069 points

Mar 3, 2021 5:38 PM in response to Cruzermur

You can't use a secondary alias as your Apple ID.

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. For example, if the Apple ID got compromised, you can change it to another address. 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