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Gmail vs Googlemail -- One user, one email, two different Apple IDs. Help!

Hi forum... Somehow I've got a mess of Apple IDs (Apple ID, iTunes and iCloud), all attached to the "same" email, only one is name@gmail.com, and the other is name@googlemail.com. What's more, it looks like (across four devices) I've got app store purchases attached to both @gmail and @googlemail.


What can I do? I need to update apps on my phone, but some are attached to @googlemail and some aren't, and I really, really need to pair my iPad with this computer (for an upcoming event) but I can't because the computer is on @gmail and the iPad is on @googlemail. Someone please help! I don't know how to get out of this mess without losing my billions of photos, media, apps and everything. All suggestions welcome!

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jul 5, 2021 6:55 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 5, 2021 7:47 AM

Pick one Apple ID to use. Since the computer is on @gmail, you probably want to use that ID so you can pair to the computer.


On the phone, when changing to the @gmail 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.        



3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 5, 2021 7:47 AM in response to puppetopera

Pick one Apple ID to use. Since the computer is on @gmail, you probably want to use that ID so you can pair to the computer.


On the phone, when changing to the @gmail 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.        



Jul 5, 2021 8:43 AM in response to puppetopera

You are welcome. If you change the email address on the existing ID, you should retain access to all your data and purchases.


Note the restrictions in the article.


Apple ID Name Change.        


 What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support    I suggest doing this before you change your Apple ID or password.


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 5, 2021 8:34 AM in response to Eric Root

Thank you! I will try all of this and hopefully get all my devices logged in under one ID. I was on the phone with Apple earlier, and their only response was "sorry", so this is amazingly helpful.


Out of curiosity, do you know what would happen if I changed the ID to a totally new address (say, an iCloud address)? Would I lose absolutely everything?

Gmail vs Googlemail -- One user, one email, two different Apple IDs. Help!

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