My old Apple ID (and iCloud) email address has been discontinued (due to retirement), but my purchases (magazines) and info still go to that invalid address. The problem with creating a new account, is that my regular (preferred) address is the validification address that Apple has on file, so can't be used to create a new account. How do I switch my account to my regular (preferred) email address, without having to create a third (new) email address?
Have you tried deleting the rescue email address first? I am wondering if Apple won't let you use it because it is currently in use as a rescue email address.
Change your Apple ID - Apple Support
Have you tried deleting the rescue email address first? I am wondering if Apple won't let you use it because it is currently in use as a rescue email address.
Change your Apple ID - Apple Support
Apple still does not have any official statement as to email re-use but what you say is in keeping with many, many similar statements I have seen on this forum in 18 years. You will have to set up a different email address to use as your ID.
By the way, you should not create a new account. Everything purchased with it is permanently tied to the account and cannot be transferred. You should instead change the email address on the current account, which will require a different address Apple hasn't seen before.
Here's how you change the email address you use for your Apple ID:
1. Go to https://appleid.apple.com and sign in.
2. In the Sign-In and Security section, choose Apple ID.
3. Enter the email address that you want to use as your Apple ID.
4. Choose Change Apple ID.
5. If you changed your Apple ID to a third-party email address, check your email for a verification code, then enter the code. Learn what to do if you didn't get the email. --> If you didn't receive your verification or reset email - Apple Support
6. If you use services like iCloud or Messages to share with friends and colleagues, sign in to those services with your updated Apple ID. --> What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support
For more details and how to do this if you have a mobile number ID, see the document Change your Apple ID - Change your Apple ID - Apple Support
Also note Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support
I thought about that, but am worried that it still wouldn't be considered a "new" address by Apple, and I'd still need a third address to use for verification. For any other business I deal with, including financial institutions, it is a simple matter to switch email addresses.
Apple uses an email address as the way to identify an individual. I guess they do not want somebody getting access to an email address after one person has abandoned it and then using it to get access to a dormant account and the private data that may still be in it.
I was interested if signing out of one would let you re-use it but I understand your hesitation. I too do not want to risk my email address of 18 years as an Apple ID to just experiment if it works. It's just a bit of a nuisance that Apple doesn't just comout out and say, "No email re-use," so I was wonderingif it was still possible some way. people hadn't just been doing it the right way.
I went ahead and entered a little-used address (gmail) as my new ID as you recommended. Not my first choice, but all seemed to work seamlessly. Keeping my fingers crossed that the media I subscribed to through iCloud, gets sent to the new address rather than the old (dead) one that I can't access anymore. If not, I guess I'll have to cancel the subscription, and then re-subscribe.
Thank you for your help.
"Purchase Sharing doesn't include subscriptions. But if you use Family Sharing, you can share your Apple Music family subscription, and your iCloud storage and Apple News+ subscriptions, with your family members."
from: What types of content can I share with my family using purchase sharing? - Apple Support - What types of content can I share with my family? - Apple Support
You say media subscriptions so you may need to check if they support subscription sharing.
Changing iCloud email address
