How do I change my AppleID rescue email address?

First, no need to apologize 🙂. You are not taking up my time since that is why we log in here - to help anyone who needs help!

So, when you say that the email addresses that are listed under your "reachable at" list were "given" to you, I'm not sure what you mean (also, I'll ask the hosts to edit your email addresses, since you have both your Apple ID and your iCloud ID listed, and really, any email address shouldn't be posted on an online forum). On my iOS device, the first address listed is the Apple ID that I have signed in. Is the @comcast.com address also the Apple ID you have signed in and showing at the top of the Settings app?

The @me.com and @icloud.com may be a separate Apple ID. Are you signed into iCloud on your iOS device?

I would suggest that you just try one of them. They both belong to a single Apple account, so you can go to iCloud.com on any computer, sign in with either of those addresses, and you should see the Mail app there. The purpose of having a separate email address is because sometimes when someone needs a rescue email, they have no way to access it since their Apple ID is locked. So, forwarding it would defeat the purpose of a Rescue email address. You need to access it separately from the Apple ID account.

So, here's what I would suggest:

1. See if the @iCloud or @me.com addresses can be used (they may be attached to the same Apple account. If they are, you won't be able to use them.

2. If neither work, you can set up a brand new iCloud account that you can then use as the Rescue email account. To do that, make sure you are signed out in the Settings>your name screen (scroll to the bottom to find the Sign Out button). Then you will see the option to set up a new iCloud email address when you click on your name again. Choose an address to go in front of @iCloud.com, then append the @iCloud.com domain name. Follow the prompts. Once you have set it up, you can then use it as your Rescue email address, and you can access it by going to iCloud.com on a computer and signing in with that new ID. Once you have set up your new iCloud email account, go back to the Settings app and sign your primary Apple ID back in.

3. I would also suggest that you delete the addresses you no longer use from the "reachable at" list on your primary Apple ID. You can do that on your device or via a computer at: Apple - My Apple ID

Cheers,

GB

Your Rescue email address cannot be the same as the Apple ID email address on the account you are putting it on. That would defeat the purpose of a "Rescue" email address. It needs to be a different address than your Apple ID or your iCloud ID on that account.

Also not sure what you mean when you say you are seeing an @me and @iCloud address in "settings"? What settings are you referring to?

Any reason why you don't want to use Two-Factor Authentication instead of Security Questions? Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support

Cheers,

GB

Hello,

Not sure if this is been answered here, but when I tried to change my Rescue Email, it keeps telling me to use a Valid Email Address. I tried to place my main email address in there and it won't let me.

I had a second email I used alot, but no longer use it and no longer own it, as it was related to a website I had owned. This is the email associated with the Rescue system.

The email I am trying to place in there is actually my Apple ID. Is that not OK to use?

Also, I see in the settings that I seem to have a .me address, an icloud email address and maybe one other that I might have but have never used. How do I get those addresses to forward mail to my main address?

And can I use one of those other Apple ID's, the .me and the .icloud as the Rescue Email Address?

Thanks for any help!

Jeff

GB,

When I log in the first two categories at the top are Account and Security. In the Account section over on the right it says "Reachable at". And here is the list;

***********
***********
***********
***********

The next section Security shows my Rescue Email as *********

I don't use that anymore as it is not active and not paid for any longer, the hosting.

If I try the EDIT option there and then put my main email address I now know and you have told me, that I cannot use the email that is also my APPLE USERNAME OR ID.

And so, if I try and use one of those listed above, will that work for the Rescue email? If so, how do I set that email address up to forward to my main email? In other words, those emails listed above I have no idea how to actually use them or receive anything sent to them from Apple or anyone else.

Usually you have to set up a second email address to forward to your main email so that you can go to just one email account to see all emails coming your way. I am sure you know about this. Those listed above were given to me and I have no idea how to set things up with them or where to actually do that.

Like you said, I can bypass this Rescue email BS and just go to the Two Factor authentication for Security.

I'm sorry to be taking up your time with this!

Jeff

<Email Edited by Host>

Here is a support article that tells you how to manage your Rescue email address:

Manage Primary, Rescue, Alternate, and Notification email addresses

Cheers,

GB

I believe that is because your @mac.com email address already is an Apple ID. Try going to Manage your Apple ID and click on Reset Password. On the next screen, type in your @mac.com email address. If you do not know the answers to your Security Questions, contact Apple Support to reset them so you can reset your password.

Manage your Apple ID: Apple - My Apple ID

Apple Support for Security Question reset: ACCOUNT SECURITY CONTACT NUMBERS

Cheers,

GB

Sure enough, Gail, you are right again. ...as you can see by my different/other handle. I had forgotten.

I think part of my confusion stemmed fm my using one ID for my developer acct and another for iTunes. ...and it seems the App Store will take either but when it comes time to pay, it goes to iTunes. A single, common master ID database would be IMHO the correct solution.

Mee thinks I'm off and running again. Tx.

I don't have the edit option next to my rescue address - how do I change it?

Thanks!

Are you certain you are looking at your Rescue email address and not your Apple ID? If you are looking at your Apple ID, and it is an @me, @mac, or @iCloud.com address, you cannot change it.

Cheers,

GB