How to change support forum user name?

Mine too... I never saw the screen that asked for it. This is permanent?

I just posted this question as a new issue. I can't believe there isn't a simple solution to this, other than (1) get another email address, and then (2) create a whole new account?? For a username change? Seriously?? Why can't we just control what appears on screen from the privacy options in our account? This is one of the few dumb, clumsy, brainless things I've seen Apple do.

I just bookmarked this thread, and noticed that when you bookmark something there's an option to make the bookmark "Private". Great, thanks - you can preserve the privacy of a stupid bookmarked thread, but not my actual name?? Apple, wake up...!!

A long time ago, users were allowed to change their user name at will, every day, if they wanted. This led to some abuses of the system, with mischief-makers constantly changing i.d.s.

The current (and immediately prior) system software (which is not created by Apple) does not allow easy user-name changes. It allows NO changes by the user, except to create a new account which is associated with a new e-mail address. If you want to change your user name, but still have it associated with the e-mail address you're using now, create a new e-mail address just for this purpose, then change your current account's e-mail address to that new one (this you CAN do, I believe). Then you can use your current e-mail address with the new user i.d. you want to set up. It's kind of a hassle, but doable.

But what I don't get is why the software doesn't just use the user name I've had at Apple for years. I don't want to change my user name - I just want the Apple Forums to use that EXISTING name, instead of my actual name.

If the software just used the username in my file for my permanent forum ID, it would have been fine. But it opted for my actual name - over the existing user-name - and then requires that we jump through these e-mail hoops to simply get back to the point where we were. That's what doesn't make sense to me.

In your other thread, I have told you that I have contacted the Hosts regarding your concerns. I will now also provide them with the link to this discussion, as well.

I was able to change mine by contacting apple's privacy support email. As you can seen I m now shinobixtc and my previous post on Jun 5, 2011 shows my new name, not first/location anymore. I simply stated it was private information I did not wish to share and apple made the decision to have it as default during sign up instead of leaving it blank. They replied a few days later asking me what to change it to. Voila.

<Edited by host>

Funny my login to here uses my username, so there should be no reason why I need to reset everything under a new email. I would imagine that also would break your points as it creates a new account basically. Shinobixtc, I just used your advice and sent an email to them.

Thanks,

Craig Holland (formally known as petesweaty)

In Gmail, you don't even have to create a new account. You can juse add something like +apple to your Gmail username. So, if your gmail address is anonymous@gmail.com, you can create a new apple ID anonymous+appleforums@gmail.com. And can receive messages in your original Gmail inbox.

I know, it's lame, right?

Can you do the same for me? I hate having trolls use my actual name in posts. I'd really appreciate it.

I don't know if you're still around, but I'd also like to change my username. Can you help me do that? I'd appreciate it if trolls didn't have my actual name (in the future) when they were trying to provoke a response.

I also am annoyed at this.. I never chose my username and they just automatically assumed I wanted to use my name.. I have had my account since 2005 so i really don't want to create a new one not to mention all my purchases are tied to this one and I don't want to manage two of them

no, we can't change nickname …

the email option is not ok for me …

so i will wait …

Sebastien

I believe you can go into your profile and change the e-mail address associated with Apple Support Communities.

You could try setting up a new (throw-away) e-mail address and change your current Apple Support Communities i.d. to associate with that. Then you can start a new account with a user i.d. of your choice here on Apple Support Communities and associate it with the e-mail you're currently using. Of course, any points you've accumulated will not be associated with the new account.