ChadH83
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Change Apple ID or Primary Email?

Hey guys,

I'm having to switch to an Android device due to work. I was wondering is it possible to change my Apple ID/Primary Email over to my gmail address? I logged in online but didn't have an option to edit my primary email or Apple ID. My Apple ID is an iCloud email because I've had it for so long. Is this even possible? If it's not what is going to happen to all of my stuff that I've downloaded on my computer using that Apple ID if I have to created another on it? Thanks for your help in advance!!

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Dec 11, 2013 8:25 AM

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ChadH83

Q: Change Apple ID or Primary Email?

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  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Dec 13, 2013 7:52 AM in response to ChadH83
    Community Specialists
    Dec 13, 2013 7:52 AM in response to ChadH83

    Hello ChadH83,

     

    It sounds like you would like to change your primary Apple ID email address. This article will help you do that. The key is the Edit button to the right of your Primay email address:

    Apple ID: Changing your Apple ID

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5621

    • Make sure that the email address you want to use for your Apple ID meets these conditions:
      • The email address is one that you use regularly, because it will be the primary email address for your Apple ID.
      • The email address is not associated with any other Apple ID.
      • The email address is not an iCloud email address, which is already an Apple ID. iCloud email addresses end with @icloud.com, @me.com, or @mac.com.

     

    To change your Apple ID, follow these steps:

    1. Go to My Apple ID (appleid.apple.com), click "Manage your Apple ID", and sign in.
    2. If you have two-step verification turned on, you'll be asked to send a verification code to the trusted device associated with your Apple ID. If you are unable to receive messages at your trusted device, follow the guidelines for what to do if you can't sign in with two-step verification.
    3. In the "Apple ID and Primary Email Address section," click Edit.
    4. Enter the email address you want to use, then click Save Changes. Apple will send a verification email to that address.
    5. Open the email from Apple, then click Verify Now in the email.
    6. When the My Apple ID page opens, sign in with your renamed Apple ID.
    7. If you have two-step verification turned on, you'll be asked to send a verification code to the trusted device associated with your Apple ID.

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

    All the very best,

    Sterling

  • by horsecrazy,

    horsecrazy horsecrazy Dec 29, 2013 3:12 PM in response to sterling r
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    Dec 29, 2013 3:12 PM in response to sterling r

    Hi Sterling -

     

    I want to make my icloud email the primary and delete my .mac acount altogether.  In the past the instructions you posted worked fine, but when I logged into my AppleID account today to make the changes I found the following:

     

    • No Edit button in the section labeled Apple ID and Primary Email Address
    • My primary is listed as my .mac address, but then listed again as my alternate (which it is supposed to be) under the heading Alernate Email Addresses

     

    Is this a bug with Mavericks?  I have a screen shot if you want to see it.  In the interim, how do I make this change without an Edit button?

     

    Thanks

    Angie

  • by HelpAshley,

    HelpAshley HelpAshley Jan 25, 2014 8:28 AM in response to sterling r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2014 8:28 AM in response to sterling r

    I'm having the same problem.... I have followed the instructions and easily changed my other information but when I got to: "In the "Apple ID and Primary Email Address section," click Edit.".... There is no edit button in that section. I can edit the other sections/emails just fine except for that one. I also want to change it from an: @me.com address to a gmail. I can't access that old email address and would really like to remove it and change my appleID. Is there a way around this or do you know why the edit button is not showing up?

     

    Thanks,

    Ashley

  • by simon manners,

    simon manners simon manners Mar 21, 2014 9:20 PM in response to HelpAshley
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 21, 2014 9:20 PM in response to HelpAshley

    Did you ever find a solution to your problem.  Not having an edit button in right corner for primary? and having either @mac, @me, or @icloud for your alternate email address, and not being able to edit those either??

     

    I am in desperate need of help!

  • by horsecrazy,

    horsecrazy horsecrazy Mar 22, 2014 7:06 AM in response to ChadH83
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    Mar 22, 2014 7:06 AM in response to ChadH83

    At the end of January I called AppleCare about this problem and was escalated to Seth Giumento, AppleCare iOS Manager.  He told me there is no way, at least right now, to modify the primary email address.  I told him I did not understand why, since @mac, @me and @icloud are supposed to be interchangeable.  His answer was somewhat vague but what I could gather it has to do with the way the ios architecture was designed to drive all the synch functions across devices post-MobileMe.  Hopefully, this will change with future updates!

  • by PatriceB,

    PatriceB PatriceB Aug 30, 2014 5:55 AM in response to ChadH83
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 30, 2014 5:55 AM in response to ChadH83

    I have the same problem. No edit button next to my primary email. Any news ? Thanks

  • by horsecrazy,

    horsecrazy horsecrazy Aug 30, 2014 7:24 AM in response to PatriceB
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    Aug 30, 2014 7:24 AM in response to PatriceB

    No new updates, but I am hopeful this problem will go away with the Yosemite software update. 

  • by misskalli,

    misskalli misskalli Nov 17, 2014 7:56 PM in response to ChadH83
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Nov 17, 2014 7:56 PM in response to ChadH83

    I have been trying for months to change my primary apple ID from an @mac.com account to my @icloud.com accout or @gmail accout as primary. Simply because, I used the @mac account when I was younger and after a year of having it, they wanted $99/month to keep it. That obviously is no longer the issue but it's still my primary apple ID. I haven't had access to that account in probably about 8-9 years! Therefore, I cannot verify it. There really needs to be a solution to this.....I really want to change my apple ID login email..... Has anyone had any luck???Screen Shot 2014-11-17 at 10.48.18 PM.png

  • by siddhartham,

    siddhartham siddhartham Jan 7, 2015 7:54 AM in response to misskalli
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 7, 2015 7:54 AM in response to misskalli

    Same problem here... no edit button

  • by SL Kong,

    SL Kong SL Kong Jun 29, 2015 4:11 PM in response to ChadH83
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 29, 2015 4:11 PM in response to ChadH83

    I have exactly the same issue for years. Now I'm a developer for IOS and OS X, but I was forced to register another ID for that, because I simply can't receive any email from @mac.com. That *****.