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Change Apple Id on iPhone SE

I have four Apple devices (including one lost) that share the same Apple ID and a fifth one (an iPhone SE) that has a different Apple ID.


I am trying to change the iPhone SE Apple ID to the same ID as the other four devices, but when I go through the steps to change the ID I get the message; "Invalid email. email address not available. Choose a different address" (this is a translation of the message in Spanish and the actual wording in English might be different).


I will appreciate any help on this issue

iPhone SE

Posted on Jul 31, 2021 4:08 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jul 31, 2021 6:51 AM

If you are trying to change the email address on the iPhone SE Apple ID to the email address of the other Apple ID, you can't do that. Apple IDs can't be merged. If you want to use the other Apple ID on the iPhone SE, you need to sign out of the current ID and then sign in with the other ID.


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.        

5 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 31, 2021 6:51 AM in response to eacd21

If you are trying to change the email address on the iPhone SE Apple ID to the email address of the other Apple ID, you can't do that. Apple IDs can't be merged. If you want to use the other Apple ID on the iPhone SE, you need to sign out of the current ID and then sign in with the other ID.


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.        

Change Apple Id on iPhone SE

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