How to change my iCloud email address?

I'm new to apple. I created an iCloud email address when I set up my MacBook. Unfortunately I created a dumb email address that I want to change, but I cannot find any info on how to do this. I doesn't seem to be an option. I don't want an alias, but a primary email address.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 13.0

Posted on Dec 2, 2022 3:33 PM

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7 replies

Dec 6, 2022 8:25 AM in response to appleantilope

Hi appleantilope,


If your main concern is the email address you'll be using to communicate with others, and not the username you'll use to log in, then creating an alias may still provide what you're looking for. An alias can be used to send and receive emails with the account. Add and manage email aliases for iCloud Mail on iCloud.com has more details on this.


Create an email alias

  1. In Mail on iCloud.com, click the Settings button at the top of the Mailboxes list, then choose Preferences.
  2. Click Accounts, then click “Add an alias.”
  3. Provide the requested information.
  4. Click Add, then click Done.


If you have additional concerns, or you're not seeing the expected options to Change your Apple ID then we'd recommend contacting Apple Support.


Take care.





Dec 6, 2022 9:07 AM in response to appleantilope

Sign out your primary Apple ID from the Mac system preferences an option comes when Apple ID is completely signed out , click on create a new Apple ID you can choose the mail address as example1@icloud.com

Note : before signing out , make sure your primary Apple ID accounts credentials should be known like apple id password , three answers for respective questions , date of birth , rescue mail address and its password .

The new Apple ID will be replaced with previous Apple ID and will onwards act as a primary Apple ID .

See a thread for old version of Mac sign out from secondary authentication ac… - Apple Community

In the screen shot of it you can see option to create new Apple ID , just click over it the upcoming steps will slightly vary for type of account that is again to be signed in , but the concept will be same .

Dec 5, 2022 2:48 PM in response to appleantilope

Hello, appleantilope,


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities, it's great to have you here. We want to help make sure that your Apple ID is set up in the best way possible for you. As long as you have access to the email address that you want to change, you can absolutely edit that email address anytime. You would just want to follow the steps in this article, which is the process that would cover what you're trying to do: Change your Apple ID - Apple Support


If you used an email address that you don't necessarily have access to, then you may not be able to change it. One workaround could be creating a working version of the email address that you used when signing up and then following the steps we shared above.


We hope that this information is helpful.


​Have a great day!

Dec 27, 2022 12:47 PM in response to tygb

Thanks! That's it! Just what I needed.


I don't think I followed the instructions correctly though, I lost my notes and maybe some other things. I wasn't sure what to do after I signed out so I just created the the new AppleID. I did save everything that was selected when asked, so I didn't lose any of that - everything that was in iCloud. Unfortunately notes weren't.


I saw that I could add another iCloud account so I added the old one. Once I did that I got my old email back.


But I think if I understand correctly if I were able to follow what you suggested, the accounts would have been merged? Is that correct? Do you mind explaining that part again?

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How to change my iCloud email address?

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