New Apple ID requirements and password changes

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Level 1

6 points

New Apple ID requirements and password changes

On the new OS5 why is Apple requiring that you change your Apple ID to your e-mail account and requiring that all passwords now be 8 characters with at least one capital letter and two numbers? This sounds minor but it's frustrating that they're making these changes without admitting it. And it's a pain in the butt to have to re-enter an entire e-mail and now longer password everytime you need to change something such as update an app which is easily at least once a day.

Posted on Oct 17, 2011 8:20 PM

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Answer 1

James Gates1 Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 17, 2011 9:16 PM in response to Chris CA

Thanks Chris for responding. The "without admitting it" sounds severe but is part of a larger problem I'm having. I'll explain it to you to see if it makes any sense.

I uploaded the new OS5 system to my iPhone. In order to activate it I had to go through a series of steps on my iPhone including entering my e-mail address. Upon doing that I was told my e-mail address was "already in use." Nothing I tried it over several times. Then I put in an alternative e-mail address.

Then I went to iTunes online (not on my iPhone) and they wouldn't accept my old Apple ID or password. It wouldn't say which was wrong. So then they required that I change my password. But this time they said it has to be 8 characters, and you know the rest. So now I have the wrong e-mail and a new password that I don't want. I know how to change the e-mail, but now they require that you use the e-mail as your ID.

It seems to me that Apple is making changes with passwords and Apple ID's without telling you that that is what is about to happen. So basically, they shut you out of your normal password and force you to create a new one, to their specs to get in. Perhaps there is some reasoning behind it, but it certainly isn't explained. So if you can that would be great, because it is beyon frustrating.

Thanks,

jim

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Answer 2

Oct 18, 2011 6:42 PM in response to James Gates1

This whole mess would have been avoided had Apple notified users that their password had to be changed if it didn't meet the new security requirements ( including 8 characters, a number, an uppercase letter and a lowercase letter), plus that the user needs to make sure they know their email address attached to their AppleID (so as to be able to reset accounts should there be a problem).

I went through this issue, but luckily the steps I took, including remembering my email address attached to my Apple ID, resolved my issue within 30 minutes. That said, this shouldn't have taken more than 2 minutes to get through.

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Answer 3

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Oct 17, 2011 8:30 PM in response to James Gates1

James Gates1 wrote:

...

requiring that all passwords now be 8 characters with at least one capital letter and two numbers?

So your password is more secure.

This sounds minor but it's frustrating that they're making these changes without admitting it.

Without "admitting it"?

Stating that your password must be 8 characters with at least one capital letter and two numbers sounds to me like they are "admitting it"...

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Answer 4

James Gates1 Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 1, 2011 2:28 PM in response to Frogroast

Thanks for taking time to respond. It is helpful to learn that I'm not alone in this new password and new ID issue. You're right, it would have been much easier and saved a lot of frustration if Apple just said what was going on. Ironically, I upgraded to OS5 so that I could then upgrade to Lion, but after this experience I'm waiting on Lion. Seems like Apple has their hands full with issues on that one.

jim

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