How to change Apple ID on iPhone

The real problem here is that Apple refuses to allow consolidation of Apple ID accounts. I now have several because of changes in email address. It's almost impossible to keep up with multiple accounts with multiple passwords with different purchases under different ID's. What a pain.

Dennis Braddy wrote:

The real problem here is that Apple refuses to allow consolidation of Apple ID accounts. I now have several because of changes in email address. It's almost impossible to keep up with multiple accounts with multiple passwords with different purchases under different ID's. What a pain.

The real problem here is that you are doing it wrong.

There is no need to create a new Apple ID everytime you change your email address:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1918?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Possibly would have been better to check that out the first time you created a new id.

Thank-you so much gdgmacguy, much appreciated!! Clearly still learning about the iPhone as I haven't had it a week yet. Won't forget this in a hurry 😉

There are several ways to wind up with multiple Apple ID's including family members creating their own. Also, I don't believe it was always possible to change the Apple ID because the ID was the email address. A new email address meant a new account. In any case there is no way to combine two accounts. So I'm now stuck with two accounts with purchases on each. Updating apps and tracking past purchases is a nightmare. Why not allow accounts to be consolidated? I think Apple doesn't want to fix this problem, because it would deflate the number of accounts they can claim. Not a user friendly reason at all.

You are right, there are many reasons to have multiple accounts, I was just saying that different email address' should not be one.

Dennis Braddy wrote:

Updating apps and tracking past purchases is a nightmare.

I have two accounts for a different reason, and I am not sure what the problem is?

Set both accounts with the same password and there is no hassles.

Why are you tracking past purchases?

Even if you want to just log in to each account and check.

Or better yet just keep the apps on your mac as welland you can see what you have.

Updating is no issue either, iTunes, or iPhones/iPads automatically log into which ever account they need to update, so in the end all you have to do is type in the password.

I have it set to always ask for my password for purchases or updates anyway so no troubles for me.

I think Apple doesn't want to fix this problem, because it would deflate the number of accounts they can claim. Not a user friendly reason at all.

I am not sure if Apple wants to "fix" this "problem" or not, and we can't speculate here as to Apples motives as that is against Terms of service of these forums.

But why would Apple care how many iTunes accounts they have?

I can't say Apple has ever boasted about how many Apple Ids they have?

They do talk often about number of Apps, or Number of downloads; but actual account numbers indicate nothing.

I do agree that if it is possible then Apple should try to impliment this.

The only way to help the situation is ask Apple to allow account mergers.

And here is where you can ask:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

thanks thought it wouldn't be to difficult, easy when you know how!!! thanks

how about for the i message... it still show my old apple id .. how can i change that

Is there anyway to get rid of all the ID's and just use one for everything apple has to offer?

Thanks...

Syncronize the Iphone against iTunes with al the (apple)Ids you have (so you dont lose anything you purchased or downloaded free) An than just use one? And on the Phone just erase the account and do the same you did when you got it from the store!? With the difference that you might write in an existing account instead of making a new one! Perhaps I mist a step so please double check with someone:-)

Answers to S.Mohamed. and clues.in.bama

Thank you sooooo much

*** Apple? Are you freaking microsoft now?

Helped me too - wish I had read this before I wiped out my contacts by syncing to my daughter's computer. . .now I have all her contact! Thank you!

thank you! so helpful!

Hi - I've just picked up your comments on search on a problem I have and read your posts with interest. I have an iphone with my apple ID and an ipad with a different apple ID (my daughter's). My itunes on my computer is registered to my ID so doesn't want to sync with the ipad. I understand apple with not consolidate accounts and I am quite happy to change the ipad to my ID, I'm just worried I will lose the purchases I have made for my daughter on the ipad if I do this (videos and apps). Do you know if there is a way round this?

Families will have different IDs so I am surprised there isn't an easier way to sharing all of the purchases when they are all registered to the same home address. Unless I have just not found out how to do it yet?

Many thanks

Thanks alot that really worked!