Setting up "Find My iPhone" using an existing iTunes account

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Level 4

1,180 points

Setting up "Find My iPhone" using an existing iTunes account

Hello

I have an iPhone 4 with the latest iOS (4.2.x). I can sync it with iTunes on this computer.

I want to set up "Find My iPhone" on this device. I'm following the directions at this site:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/find-my-iphone-setup/

On Step 4, when I attempt to input my Apple ID, I get a notice that "username or password is incorrect". If I just type my Appl eID in (without making it an email address), I get an alert "Unsupported Apple ID" and that Mobile Me requires an Apple ID that is an email address.

My Apple ID is "spdorsey". It is not an email address.

How can I get this to work?

Thanks

12-core Mac Pro 2.93 GHz, 24GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 5870, 12TB Storage, 30" Screen, Mac OS X (10.6.4), External Blu-Ray burner, Canon 5D MkII

Posted on Dec 27, 2010 1:05 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 27, 2010 3:04 PM in response to Steve Dorsey

Is your apple ID just one word or does it have an e-mail address attached or registered with it?

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Answer 2

Steve Dorsey Author

Level 4

1,180 points

Dec 27, 2010 3:20 PM in response to Tech Elementz

My apple ID is "spdorsey". It has an email address attached to it.

When I try the ID alone, then an error dialog pops up telling me it must be an email.

When I try the email address, I get an error dialog telling me the email or password is incorrect. (The password is not incorrect if it's the one that is attached to my iTunes account).

Still no idea what to do.

Thanks,

------S

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Answer 3

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Dec 27, 2010 3:38 PM in response to Steve Dorsey

Your Apple ID must be a full email address (e.g. name@example.com) in order to set up free Find My iPhone. You can change your existing Apple ID to be in the format of an email address (recommended), or create a new Apple ID.

If your Apple ID is not an email address, you can change it on appleid.apple.com. This article provides instructions on how to change the Apple ID.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HE40

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Answer 4

Dec 27, 2010 3:42 PM in response to Steve Dorsey

Your Apple ID needs to be an email address for this to work. You need to change your Apple ID to a valid email address.

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Answer 5

Steve Dorsey Author

Level 4

1,180 points

Dec 27, 2010 3:50 PM in response to wjosten

My ID MUST be an email address? That's pretty stupid.

but they make the rules, not me. So I'll have an ID that is an email address, and then an email address attached to my ID that is an email address.

Makes perfect sense.

Thanks for your help. No, really, you helped, and I'm thankful! 🙂

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Answer 6

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Dec 27, 2010 3:55 PM in response to Steve Dorsey

You're welcome.

My ID MUST be an email address? That's pretty stupid.

It is what it is.

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Answer 7

ptotheb3

Level 1

0 points

Jan 18, 2011 8:52 PM in response to wjosten

I'm still having trouble with this same issue, and like Steve, I think this is entirely stupid. Just to clarify, I need to use an existing email address as my apple ID, as opposed to using the apple ID I've been using for a couple years. Problem is that the email address I would like to use is already my primary email address for this account. The response I get when I try to enter it is as follows:

"This email address is already in use or you may already have an Apple ID associated with this email address. Please try again or sign in using your existing Apple ID".

So basically I have to create another email address for the sole purpose of setting up the Find My iPhone feature?? Frustrating.

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