Changing Apple ID to another Apple ID already in use

Conundrum. A few years ago I received an email requesting an Apple ID password change to an email I didn't set up with an Apple ID. The email came to my account and was apparently set up with my address but without a period between my first and last name. I didn't think anything of it and moved on as this does happen occasionally. Recently I've decided that I wanted to change my Apple ID email that I set up in my younger era. I was able to add the email as an addition to my current Apple ID and phone number for sign-in security, but then when I tried to change my old email to the new email (with my period I have always used) it said the email was already associated with another Apple ID. Then it hit me that it was probably from the account request I received info about a few years ago.


I never delete anything, so I was able to pull it up. She never ended up using the Apple ID for obvious reasons, so I've been able to access it kind of. I accessed the Support page and it said it wasn't associated with any devices, so I felt comfortable trying to "steal" my identity back. I can't get past the security question hurdle though - am I just SOL?

Posted on Jun 20, 2024 7:30 AM

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Jun 20, 2024 7:54 AM in response to Adam The Law

I'm not following all that but:


Apple won't let you use an email address for an Apple ID that has been used previously for anything with them.


Security Questions - Those are an old security method to prevent people who might have gotten hold of your password from getting into an account. Now replaced by two Factor. In fact if you have problems with SQ you need to transition to Two Factor. Apple won't help reset questions. You could contact them for help but even if this account "belongs" to you, if somebody has taken it over and you don't know the information for getting into it then you may have a hard time convincing Apple that you are the true owner.

Jul 23, 2024 6:54 AM in response to MyHelpPlz

If you use the same ID with anything made by Apple and you use iCloud, the photos will appear on all the equipment.


Set up and use iCloud Photos - Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support - FAQ


Turn on iCloud Photos

Make sure that you set up iCloud and sign in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on all of your devices. 

On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

1. Go to Settings > [your name].

2. Tap iCloud.

3. Tap Photos, then tap the switch next to Sync this [device].


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Changing Apple ID to another Apple ID already in use

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