Separating an ICloud email address from my Apple ID (which is a different email)

I have 2 Apple Accounts - one of which is the email I use for my Apple ID and the other is a separate ICoud address. I have lost the password for my ICloud account and when I try to change it, I am directed to change the password for my Apple ID. The two accounts/email addresses appear to have become joined up. How can I change my ICloud email password without changing my Apple ID password please?



iPad, iPadOS 26

Posted on Dec 1, 2025 11:11 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 2, 2025 7:15 AM

Any and all Apple Accounts have an iCloud email address associated with them.

These are not separate entities, they are the same account, with basically 2 names.


You can access iCloud using either the iCloud address or your Apple account email address, but the password is still the same password for both since it's the same underlying account.


If you do actually have an iCloud account that is entirely separate to this Apple Account, then that iCloud address is in and of itself an Apple account.


If it's not being used as the account for a device or computer directly, then the only way to change the password for it is from the https://account.apple.com website by clicking on the "Forgot Password" link.


If it tries to log in to your normal Apple Account first using Touch ID or Face ID, tap or click on "Use different Apple Account", then enter the email address for the iCloud account, and then when prompted for the password, click on the Forgot password link below it.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 2, 2025 7:15 AM in response to Bushbell

Any and all Apple Accounts have an iCloud email address associated with them.

These are not separate entities, they are the same account, with basically 2 names.


You can access iCloud using either the iCloud address or your Apple account email address, but the password is still the same password for both since it's the same underlying account.


If you do actually have an iCloud account that is entirely separate to this Apple Account, then that iCloud address is in and of itself an Apple account.


If it's not being used as the account for a device or computer directly, then the only way to change the password for it is from the https://account.apple.com website by clicking on the "Forgot Password" link.


If it tries to log in to your normal Apple Account first using Touch ID or Face ID, tap or click on "Use different Apple Account", then enter the email address for the iCloud account, and then when prompted for the password, click on the Forgot password link below it.

Separating an ICloud email address from my Apple ID (which is a different email)

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