User profile for user: Ken W
Ken W Author
User level: Level 2
216 points

Can't link Apple ID with either of my emails after tinkering with iPhone name.

My wife gave me her old iPhone. Because it had her name at the head of the first Settings page, and because her name was also linked with her Apple ID, I decided to try and change everything to my name and my Apple ID. This was the start of my troubles.


I seem to have mixed up email accounts (Is this the same as Apple ID?) and Apple IDs from both my wife's and my accounts. My wife, who is slightly more conversant with an iPhone than I am, (I only turn mine on two or three times a year) has managed to get her iPhone back to what it was after my tinkering seemed to change settings on hers. However, her tinkering with her iPhone seems to have changed things on my iPhone. The position now is that at the head of the first Settings page on my phone appears her name. Just beneath her name and associated icon appears a line "Update Apple ID Settings" with a figure 1 in a red circle. If I press the figure 1, I get a page which says "Some account services will not be available until you sign in again". with a blue "Continue" link. What does all this mean? Who has to sign in...me or my wife?


I would just like everything to go away. I am completely at sea with this technology although I recognise it is Apples way of keeping accounts secure. Confusingly, I am still able to sign in to these discussion pages, where my Apple ID and password seem to be recognised. But when I attempt to sign in to the Apple ID website to try and find out what data it holds on my Apple ID and password, I cannot log in because I get a message saying that the email address I am trying to use is either in use by "someone else" (my quotes) or is not available. Can anyone point me in a direction where simple understandable steps might be available to help me sort this out?


I think I am posting this query on the Ventura discussion pages. Should I perhaps post it on an iPhone discussion page?

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Feb 27, 2024 1:02 AM

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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
User level: Level 10
443,722 points

Posted on Feb 27, 2024 7:58 AM

  • Mixed Account Information: Tinkering with your wife's iPhone probably led to mixing your personal information with hers, causing conflicts.
  • Shared Apple ID: It's important to never share an Apple ID for security reasons. Use separate IDs for each individual.
  • Double-check the email addresses you're using for Apple ID and login attempts. Ensure they are not duplicates or associated with your wife's account.


Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:

  1. a. On your iPhone:
    1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] at the top > Sign Out.
    2. Sign in again with your Apple ID.
  2. If you encounter issues on the Apple ID website:
    1. Visit the Apple ID account page: https://appleid.apple.com/
    2. Click on "Forgot Apple ID or password?" if needed.
    3. Follow the steps to reset your password if necessary.
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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
User level: Level 10
443,722 points

Feb 27, 2024 7:58 AM in response to Ken W

  • Mixed Account Information: Tinkering with your wife's iPhone probably led to mixing your personal information with hers, causing conflicts.
  • Shared Apple ID: It's important to never share an Apple ID for security reasons. Use separate IDs for each individual.
  • Double-check the email addresses you're using for Apple ID and login attempts. Ensure they are not duplicates or associated with your wife's account.


Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:

  1. a. On your iPhone:
    1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] at the top > Sign Out.
    2. Sign in again with your Apple ID.
  2. If you encounter issues on the Apple ID website:
    1. Visit the Apple ID account page: https://appleid.apple.com/
    2. Click on "Forgot Apple ID or password?" if needed.
    3. Follow the steps to reset your password if necessary.
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User profile for user: Ken W
Ken W Author
User level: Level 2
216 points

Mar 2, 2024 10:59 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thank you SravanKrA for all your inputs. In the end, I adopted the more radical approach of creating a new email account with my internet service provider and then created a new Apple ID using this new email account. My iPhone now shows my name on the first Settings page together with my correct (new) email account. I forgot...I preceded all this with getting my wife to erase everything on her (now "my") iPhone and thus got it back to a factory reset condition. I thank you again for your time and inputs. Without people like you, those of us who are more technically challenged would have a much harder time of it.


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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
User level: Level 10
443,722 points

Feb 27, 2024 7:56 AM in response to Ken W

It seems like there is a bit of confusion with Apple ID, email accounts, and device settings. Let's try to break down the issues and provide some guidance:


  1. Apple ID and Email Accounts:
    1. Your Apple ID is typically an email address. It is the account you use to access Apple services like iCloud, the App Store, and more.
    2. Make sure you have the correct Apple ID associated with your iPhone.
  2. Changing iPhone Settings:
    1. Changing the name on your iPhone doesn't impact the Apple ID directly. However, it might cause confusion.
    2. To change the name on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > About > Name.
  3. Update Apple ID Settings:
    1. When prompted to update Apple ID settings, it usually means that the device needs you to sign in again to confirm your identity. Tap "Continue" and sign in with the correct Apple ID.
  4. Login Issues on Apple ID Website:
    1. Make sure you are using the correct email address associated with your Apple ID when trying to log in on the Apple ID website.


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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
User level: Level 10
443,722 points

Feb 27, 2024 8:00 AM in response to Ken W

Here are some common solutions you can attempt:


  1. Please follow the steps in the following link for support with this issue: If your iOS device restarts or displays the Apple logo or a spinning gear unexpectedly
  2. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches. Turn off your iPhone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
    1. Restart the device. That's it.
    2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
  3. Make sure you have the latest updates installed. Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)


If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance based on your device model and iOS version.


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Can't link Apple ID with either of my emails after tinkering with iPhone name.

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