Unable to change old Apple Account email on iPad

Hi I have a 12 year old apple ipad air which works ok as such but ....

It's connected to an old optus email that I've not had for years and I do have password but I changed the itunes account email to a current one and now the ipad says the apple account is not active and won't let me change to the new email

I've tried going into an apple store and been on the phone for ages and both were no help at all and kept telling me to reset the password which obviously isn't possible

They even confirmed that the itunes email is current but refused to change it on my ipad due to security reasons which I get but is frustrating if I can't use my ipad properly


so my question is If I reset to factory settings will I then be able to start my ipad with the current itunes email or will I end up with a useless brick that becomes landfill


Thanks in advance



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: can't change old email

Posted on Sep 11, 2025 6:57 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 11, 2025 8:52 PM

Factory Resetting will not remove an account from the iPad. There are only 2 ways to remove your account from the iPad in order to add a new one.

  • Gain access to the account. Just because you do not have access to the email, does not mean the password cannot be reset. There must be something else going on there if you are unable to change your password. Account Recovery is the normal process that allows you to change the password without access to the email address or Trusted Phone number on the account. There will be a waiting period, usually about a week.

How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support

If your Apple Account is locked, not active, or disabled - Apple Support

  • Remove the Activation Lock. In most cases you will need the original purchase receipt from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller and can submit it here to have the account removed from the device.

https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 11, 2025 8:52 PM in response to krcreszur263

Factory Resetting will not remove an account from the iPad. There are only 2 ways to remove your account from the iPad in order to add a new one.

  • Gain access to the account. Just because you do not have access to the email, does not mean the password cannot be reset. There must be something else going on there if you are unable to change your password. Account Recovery is the normal process that allows you to change the password without access to the email address or Trusted Phone number on the account. There will be a waiting period, usually about a week.

How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support

If your Apple Account is locked, not active, or disabled - Apple Support

  • Remove the Activation Lock. In most cases you will need the original purchase receipt from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller and can submit it here to have the account removed from the device.

https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support


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Unable to change old Apple Account email on iPad

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