Changing Apple ID from shared account without losing data

Question

Level 1

6 points

Changing Apple ID from shared account without losing data

Hi. My elderly folks share the same Apple ID but have separate ipads and iphones with different stored data on each. They use the same icloud login details, not part of the Apple Home sharing but they have just done it this way as not v technical. They have just upgraded their phones and again both used the same apple ID.

The question is how can they now change to their own individual Apple ID's without losing their individual data?

Mum would essentially need to register for her own Apple ID. But if she backs up data now before this then presumably this will be only accessible by the old shared account (Dad's account). Similarly if she changes Apple ID this will change it for dad also as the account is currently shared, though again not through apple family sharing.

They don't want to pay for the higher data package needed for family sharing and have v low usage.

Is there a way for them to both have their own apple ID but move forward with their own personal data?

The other issue I thought might arise is they have a shared bank account, and so can a bank card be used for multiple apple ID's?

Thanks!!

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Posted on Jun 13, 2023 12:05 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jun 14, 2023 12:41 PM in response to MrT35

Click here to see how to 'Create a new Apple ID' = create an Apple Account. --> How to create a new Apple ID - Apple Support

Merging Apple accounts (IDs) or transferring data is not officially supported. Read the links below for things you may need to do to transfer as much as is possible and to share some others.

Apps and media bought with one ID are permanently associated with that ID. Look into using Family Sharing to continue to be able to use items purchased with one Apple ID with other Apple IDs, and for some data sharing features.

- Family Sharing - What is Family Sharing? - Apple Support

- Set up Family Sharing - Set up Family Sharing - Apple Support

Share folders with iCloud Drive -->Share files and folders in iCloud Drive on iCloud.com - Apple Support

Read How to use Shared Albums in Photos on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Apple Support about how to share photos.

If you have signed into the first ID on a device then fortunately when you sign out of that ID, do not erase the device, then sign in with a different ID, it asks you in most cases if you wish to merge the data from the two IDs on your device. Say yes and later delete individual items from the other ID that you do not want. Note, in How to save apps and progress on one Appl… - Apple Community a Community Specialist says, "you will not be able to transfer the meta data from one Apple ID to another. Once you switch to another Apple ID the information associated with the old Apple ID will be gone except for physical content on the device like photos and videos." Also turn off storage optimization before doing this. With Optimize Storage, smaller, space-saving photos and videos are kept on your device while all of your original, full-resolution versions are stored in iCloud. Make sure photo optimization is turned off. Manage your photo and video storage - Apple Support

Sign out of iCloud on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac --> Sign out of iCloud on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac - Apple Support

If another Apple ID is signed in you may need to enter the password for that ID to sign out of that ID first.

Click on this link to learn how to 'Sign in with your Apple ID' --> Sign in with your Apple ID - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

Jaym_8

Community Specialist

Jun 14, 2023 12:40 PM in response to MrT35

Hello MrT35,

Signing into a different Apple ID would not remove any of the data that is stored on the device. If there is data they have stored in iCloud, they'll want to download it directly to the device first before signing out of the account. In Settings > name at the top > iCloud, turn off all the options to make sure everything is stored to the device. Things like Photos, Contacts, Notes, Calendars, etc.

Sign out of iCloud on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac

Content purchased from the iTunes or App Store is tied to the Apple ID it was purchased with. If they have purchases they would like to continue accessing, they can set up the Family Sharing feature to share purchases: How to share purchases with your family

They can use these steps to add their payment information to the new Apple ID they've created: Add a payment method to your Apple ID

Cheers!

Reply

Changing Apple ID from shared account without losing data

Similar questions