Why does iCloud require a DIFFERENT .me address?

Don't create a new account.

Just sign into your iCloud account in System prefs > iCloud.

Now, after installing Mountain Lion, if I try to sync my Notes and Mail with iCloud,

Note that syncing mail does not actually do this.
It only syncs the mail account settings (server names, usernames, etc.)

pomme-homme wrote:

I am signed in...with my Apple ID. When I try to check "Notes" or "Mail"

You are using the Mail app and the Notes app on your computer?

Click System prefs > iCloud > Account details and make sure you are signed into the correct account.

pomme-homme wrote:

I do not use Mail.

Then why are you trying to check it?

You're not understanding the question. I'm having the same issue.

I'm logged onto the cloud at myusername@gmail.com. Everything syncs just fine.

I open up systme preferences -> icloud I see I'm logged in with the correct ID

The Notes box is not checked. I want to sync my notes now. I click on the notes box.

A window opens up "chose an icloud email address to use Notes with icloud" - and gives me a a box that ends with "@me.com".

the issues

- I thought in Lion they seperated email form notes, so why do I need any email account to associate with notes

- with mobil me/me.com, why is it, in Mountian Lion, asking for a me.com email address?

Managed to find a work-around.

Heat to systerm preferences -> mail, Contacts & Calendars.

Click on icloud there and it will let you sync at least Notes without asking for an address.

I also don't get this. If I create a me.com email address, then what happens with syncing all my other things, like documents? How can I be using two different Apple IDs at the same time?!?

Maybe if I just create a new me.com address like "notes@me.com" then only the notes go that route, and everything else still is associated with my regular Apple ID???

😕

I have so many email addresses, accounts, and on and on....

Same issue here. I try to check the box for Notes and am asked to create a new .me address despite already being signed into iCloud.

If I try putting in my current address it says it's already taken.

I also have this exact problem. Will try to stop by an Apple store and see if someone at the "Genius" Bar can help, and report back here.

I tried this and was able to turn on syncing on the computer with my AppleID address (at least accoridng to the check box), but still isn't syncing because my iPhone wants to use a DIFFERENT address for syncing notes.

I am having a similar problem. my apple ID is a @gmail.com as it has been since forever. If I try and enable icloud mail and or note syncing on any of my devices it doesnt work. If I try it on my mac it gives a message "Notes cannot be enabled at this time, try again later" I also cant access mail if i go to icloud.com. I have never used my @me or @icloud for mail so the mail not working doesnt bother me but I woud love to have notes sync.

Apple's answer, via the Genius Bar at the 5th Ave Store in NYC, is as follows:

"You have to use a differnent @me.com e-mail address because Notes syncing is designed to remain compatible with Lion (10.7). Even though it is inconvenient, you just have to make up a new address solely for the purpose of syncing Notes. You don't have to ever use the address/log in/check mail; just type it into your iPhone once and Notes will sync."

Once you enter this address and turn on Notes syncing in the iCloud System Preference panel on your computer, and in the iCloud Settings panel on your iPhone, Notes will sync. You will then have two Notes accounts on your phone, "iCloud" and "On My iPhone." For new notes to sync, make sure you switch the default account to "iCloud" in the Notes settings on your phone.

Unfortunately, this will only sync new notes going forward. I have not been able to get my existing notes to sync, other than by copying each one and pasting into a new note (and deleting the old one). If you were syncing notes under 10.7, you might be able to change the account the notes are associated with (i.e. move them from "on my phone" to "iCloud') using the Mail application on your computer, but if you have not synced notes before I think you're out of luck.

...and this is why I use evernote....