Level 2

220 points

Why can't I use my iCloud email address as my Apple ID

When I want to enter my iCloud email address (like foo@icloud.com) as my Apple ID, the system at appleid.apple.com tells me that I can't use an email address with a domain owned by Apple as my Apple ID which I find odd enough. I tried to create a new Apple ID through appleid.apple.com just to see what happens and even then it says that you cannot use an email address with an Apple domain.

It becomes even more odd when you consider that, if I'm not wrong, you can very well create a new Apple ID and use a new @icloud.com email address if you do it with an iPhone.

I can use my iCloud address as the primary email address of my Apple ID account so it's not a huge problem, but it still annoys me a little bit that the name of my Apple ID has to continue being my obsolete Gmail address.

Does anyone have more information on this?

Posted on Oct 15, 2012 8:45 AM

Top-ranking reply

Imp68

Level 4

2,672 points

Posted on Jun 19, 2013 11:42 AM

If you had an existing (non-apple) apple id before icloud, apple gave people the ability to have an icloud (email) account attached to it. By signing into an icloud enabled device, and checking off mail, you are given the option to create an @icloud address (formerly an @me.com one), that is associated with that apple id. This allowed people to continue to use the apple id that had all their purchases, and have an @icloud address. You can sign into any apple services using this address and pretty much ignore the originating non-apple address if you want. If that originating address is no longer valid... well, that's not really apples fault. You can maintain it, or create a new non-apple address to change it to (only reason you'd really need to do this is for the sake of rescue emails).

If you don't have an apple id, and wanted to use icloud, you can create an icloud apple id by signing into an icloud enabled device. This is an apple id in its own right, and therefore cannot be used to change the address of an existing non-apple id.

This is essentially how it works, and is pretty easy to understand.

Now, what you guys are wanting is a new feature, which DOES make sense. I'm with you guys on this. You want to be able to remove the non-apple address from your accounts, and just use the @icloud address permanently, without a non-apple address. After all, new icloud signups can do this...

Anyone wanting this new feature should request it at apple.com/feedback.

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428 replies

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 10, 2014 3:27 AM in response to Matthew Palm

Matthew Palm wrote:

I'm jealous that you have an @me.com Apple ID! You must have set it up relatively recently (last couple of years).

Each domain ending spanned the time period that the corresponding service was available, first came iTools (2000) which ushered in the @mac.com domain, iTools was renamed to DotMac and then MobileMe (2010) and that brought us the @me.com period. Lately MobileMe has become iCloud and the @icloud.com ending is now operative.

If you started with a .mac address you now have 3 to use mac, me or iCloud, if you got your address back in the MobileMe days you have 2 addresses, me and iCloud. If you just joined (last couple of years) you only have the iCloud address.

Oct 10, 2014 9:08 AM in response to Csound1

Well that makes me feel better Csound! I like my @me and have no other personal email address (aside from the "automatic" ones set up for one by Amazon, TimeWarner, etc., which I don't know). For me, the @me not only is "me", but also is the state initials for Maine, so it is just kind of cool for me!

So, I'm glad to know that your @mac is still functional (with the added @me and @iCloud) after 12 years 🙂 YAY!!!!

And very interesting historical timeline as well! Thanks for the info!

Oct 10, 2014 2:09 PM in response to Imp68

Imp68 wrote:

Exactly. People keep making it sound like it's some sort of hard work. And easy arguments can be made for the benefits of having a 3rd party address, too, particularly account recover.

It does have its benefits. But it's added risk too. Someone who gets into your gmail can use recovery and a bit of social engineering to get into your apple account.

Some people are ok sacrificing part of their security for convenience, some are not. But apple doesn't give you a choice. If you don't believe me about the risks, you can email me your gmail account info (the one you use for apple id, if you do) and I'll happily give you a proof-of-concept demonstration.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 10, 2014 2:34 PM in response to bluefox34

bluefox34 wrote:

Imp68 wrote:

Exactly. People keep making it sound like it's some sort of hard work. And easy arguments can be made for the benefits of having a 3rd party address, too, particularly account recover.

It does have its benefits. But it's added risk too. Someone who gets into your gmail can use recovery and a bit of social engineering to get into your apple account.

But first they would need to know your Apple ID. then they would need to know the password that goes with it for the email address it represents. Then they could start with your 'social engineering'

Oct 10, 2014 2:51 PM in response to Csound1

Csound1 wrote:

bluefox34 wrote:

Imp68 wrote:

Exactly. People keep making it sound like it's some sort of hard work. And easy arguments can be made for the benefits of having a 3rd party address, too, particularly account recover.

It does have its benefits. But it's added risk too. Someone who gets into your gmail can use recovery and a bit of social engineering to get into your apple account.

But first they would need to know your Apple ID. then they would need to know the password that goes with it for the email address it represents. Then they could start with your 'social engineering'

Not true. If your gmail account is compromised, they already know all of that.

Imp68

Level 4

2,672 points

Oct 10, 2014 4:35 PM in response to bluefox34

If you have the details for someone's apple id, whether it is apple owned or not, doesn't prove any difference in security.

If you feel that is not correct, outline what you mean in detail. This is at least the second time you've been asked for proof. It's hard to take your claim seriously if you don't back it up.

Oct 10, 2014 4:35 PM in response to Csound1

Csound1 wrote:

You haven't though this through have you.

I suggest you change to a more secure system if this one does not meet your, standards.

That's a bad response. If someone points out a problem, the response should not be to "go elsewhere".

Oct 10, 2014 4:38 PM in response to Imp68

Imp68 wrote:

If you have the details for someone's apple id, whether it is apple owned or not, doesn't prove any difference in security.

If you feel that is not correct, outline what you mean in detail. This is at least the second time you've been asked for proof. It's hard to take your claim seriously if you don't back it up.

I'm a bit lazy to make outlines. If you give me your gmail account I'll show you how I can take your apple account away from you. What do you have to lose if I fail?

Oct 10, 2014 4:46 PM in response to Imp68

Imp68 wrote:

If you give anyone your information you can take away anyone's account, regardless of apple owned address or not.

Again not true. You can take my disposable yahoo account and you can't get into my apple account because the two are not associated together.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 10, 2014 4:50 PM in response to bluefox34

bluefox34 wrote:

Csound1 wrote:

You haven't though this through have you.

I suggest you change to a more secure system if this one does not meet your, standards.

That's a bad response. If someone points out a problem, the response should not be to "go elsewhere".

The problem is in your mind, my solution will work very well for you.

Oct 10, 2014 4:51 PM in response to Csound1

Csound1 wrote:

bluefox34 wrote:

Csound1 wrote:

You haven't though this through have you.

I suggest you change to a more secure system if this one does not meet your, standards.

That's a bad response. If someone points out a problem, the response should not be to "go elsewhere".

The problem is in your mind, my solution will work very well for you.

Others here disagree with you.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 10, 2014 5:14 PM in response to bluefox34

bluefox34 wrote:

Says the person who was recommending abandoning apple id email address (which Apple explicitly advises against doing).

Please quote post in which I said that.

Have you considered sticking to the truth?

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 10, 2014 5:23 PM in response to bluefox34

There is nothing in that post that is "recommending abandoning apple id email address"

You fail to quote what it is you claim I said, instead you identify an entirely irrelevant post. So far you have failed to back up a single thing you have claimed.

I'm done with you.

Oct 10, 2014 5:28 PM in response to Csound1

Csound1 wrote:

There is nothing in that post that is "recommending abandoning apple id email address"

You fail to quote what it is you claim I said, instead you identify an entirely irrelevant post. So far you have failed to back up a single thing you have claimed.

I'm done with you.

Oh lord!

Oct 11, 2014 4:38 AM in response to gail from maine

gail from maine wrote:

So, you are claiming that even with 2-step verification that you think you can get into my Apple ID? How, exactly, would you be getting the verification code to do such a thing?

GB

Again, 2FA protected accounts can be broken into with a compromised primary address. Bruce Schneier talks about 2FA weaknesses and you can google him up. You guys need to understand that security is broken at its weakest link, not the strongest. If apple can go through the effort to implement 2FA, why continue to require an external apple id address/primary address? What is the benefit?

And again I've already offered to show it to you. If you're so confident in your account's security, what do you have to lose?

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Why can't I use my iCloud email address as my Apple ID