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need to change email for apple ID

The old email (_____@outlook.com) associated with my Apple ID was compromised and shut down.


I followed Apple support guidelines for changing email and setup a new email account as __@icloud.com


Now trying to use the new email address to replace compromised email address on Apple ID but keep getting error message:



I think I may inadvertently have created a new Apple ID at the same time as the email address. Very confused.


Anyone able to advise?


thanks,

Posted on Jul 3, 2021 12:37 PM

Reply
5 replies

Jul 3, 2021 1:34 PM in response to SaltSeaShark

If you created a new iCloud address, you created a new Apple ID. You are trying to use an address from one ID on another ID. You can't do that. Apple IDs can't be merged.


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.

Jul 3, 2021 3:23 PM in response to Eric Root

Thanks Eric,


I also noticed this in the Apple support document:


If you can’t change your Apple ID

If you're trying to change your Apple ID to an @icloud.com email address that was created within the last 30 days, you will be asked to try again later.


Except I wasn't asked to try again later – the error message simply stated, "You can only add the iCloud address that is already on file in your account."


But it does seem to indicate that it is possible to create an iCloud address without simultaneously creating another Apple ID, which is exactly what I was trying to do.


need to change email for apple ID

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