Problem setting up iCloud email address

Interesting, I am pretty sure the fact that you see iCloud in your Mail settings indicates you have a primary iCloud email address.

Where you see its status as inactive do you have an "Enable this account" checkbox? After you enable it you would likely be able to see your iCloud address. In the image below you would see an "Addresses" list below the "Description" field that would show your iCloud address.

If you cannot enable it or create one, I think your best next step would be to reach out to Apple Support directly. I know you aren't seeing any error but this article seems most relevant to me and contacting them would be the last resort.

If you see a Could Not Create Apple ID or Could Not Set Up iCloud message - Apple Support

"If you see a Could Not Set Up iCloud message

If you see a Could Not Set Up iCloud message, it means that you have exceeded the number of Apple IDs you can set up with iCloud on a single device in one year. 

Why did I see this message?

You may see this message when:

• Signing in with an Apple ID you already created on the web, an Apple TV, or a third-party device, but have not yet set up with iCloud
• Signing in with an Apple ID that has web-only access to iCloud

What should you do?

If you have another iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, you can try setting up iCloud with your Apple ID on that device. Sign in with your Apple ID, then follow the onscreen steps to start using iCloud. 

Or, if you already have an Apple ID set up with iCloud, sign in with that Apple ID instead. 

If you still need to set up iCloud with this Apple ID, contact Apple Support for help."

If they have a solution that works, first make sure it is ok to share in the community, then reply to your original question with the solution and mark the reply as helpful or solved. That way others seeing this issue could find it much easier than we could.

Hello,

Since you have an iCloud+ subscription you already have an Apple ID and an iCloud email address correct? Are you looking to create a second Apple ID/iCloud address, change your Apple ID/iCloud address, or simply create an alias for your existing iCloud address?

I will give information for all three. If something else is what you are intending to do please reply and I will attempt to help with it.

Change your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you are already signed into your Mac and iPhone with an Apple ID you would want to create a second through a browser. Create your Apple ID on another device

"Create your Apple ID on the web

1. Go to appleid.apple.com and click Create Your Apple ID.
2. Follow the onscreen steps to provide an email address, create a strong password, and set your device region. The email address that you provide will be your new Apple ID.*
3. Enter a phone number that you can always access.
4. Check the boxes to subscribe to Apple Updates if you'd like. This keeps you up to date on the latest news, software, products, and services from Apple.
5. Click Continue.
6. Follow the onscreen steps to verify your email address and phone number. 

After you verify your email address, you can use your new Apple ID to sign in to the iTunes Store and other Apple services such as iCloud."

Use email aliases in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

I hope this helps.

Got it. Thanks for replying with more info!

To find your "Apple ID email address" which may or may not be an iCloud address you would go to System Settings > Apple ID (Your Name). Below your name you would see the address.

Depending on how long ago you created it you may have an @Mac or @Me address but both would work the same as an @iCloud address. If you see a third party address, which I think you are describing, you would be able to create an @iCloud address in your iCloud Settings.

Create a primary email address for iCloud Mail - Apple Support

"Create a primary iCloud Mail address on your Mac

1. On your Mac, do one of the following:

• • macOS Ventura 13.3 or later: Choose Apple menu  > System Settings, click [your name] at the top of the sidebar, then click iCloud on the right. Below Apps Using iCloud, click iCloud Mail, then turn on Sync this Mac.
  • 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).

1. Follow the onscreen instructions to create an iCloud Mail address.
2. If you don’t see onscreen instructions after turning on iCloud Mail on your Mac, you already have a primary iCloud email address."

Sorry I am late to reply.

When you go into your Mail Settings > Accounts > iCloud (On the left) > Email Address, do you have an @iCloud, @Me, or @MAC address in the dropdown list?

The standard address would be your Apple ID then the @domain. For example Gisbang@icloud.com

If not, you should see a link to edit your addresses which should bring you to iCloud.com. Here you may be able to create one with more success.

For anyone else experiencing this same issue, I found that first turning on iCloud Drive (via the similarly named sync button), allowed the iCloud email name creation process to work. It might just be a coincidence, but worth noting . . . (I then turned iCloud Drive off, since I first wanted to set up email.)

I try to set up an existing email on web for easy access instead of

going to server but no success.

any advice