I can't turn iCloud Mail on - anyone else having this issue?
I've had an iCloud account for several years but haven't used Mail previously. I've tried to turn on iCloud Mail, it prompts me to create a primary email address, but still doesn't work.
Question marked as
User profile for user:
DerekM87
User level:
Community Specialist
Hey Sean Fleming,
To clarify, are you able to sign into that iCloud account at iCloud.com? If so, go to Mail on the website rather than via your Mac. Are you able to access the web app?
Generally, if you have an existing Apple ID you may still need to create a primary iCloud account for use with mail, ie an account that ends with @iCloud.com.
See more info here: Create a primary email address for iCloud Mail - Apple Support
"Create a primary email address for iCloud Mail
You must create a primary iCloud email address on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac before you can use iCloud Mail. For an overview of what you can do with Mail and iCloud, see Send and receive iCloud Mail on all your devices and keep Mail settings up to date.
If you already have an @icloud.com (or an @me.com or @mac.com) email address, see Set up iCloud Mail on all your devices.
Create a primary iCloud Mail address on your Mac
- On your Mac, do one of the following:
- macOS Ventura: Choose Apple menu
> System Settings, click [your name] at the top of the sidebar, click iCloud on the right, click iCloud Mail, then click Turn On. - macOS 12 or earlier: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Apple ID, click iCloud, then select iCloud Mail (or Mail).
- Follow the onscreen instructions to create an iCloud Mail address.
- If you don’t see onscreen instructions after turning on iCloud Mail on your Mac, you already have a primary iCloud email address.
After you set up your @icloud.com email address, you can use it to sign in to iCloud.com and your devices in addition to your Apple ID. See Use your Apple ID with iCloud.
Cheers!