Accidentally created new Apple ID, how to merge?

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Level 1

8 points

Accidentally created new Apple ID, how to merge?

So I've got an iPhone and iPad already, and last week got a new MacBook Air. In the setup process of this laptop I accidentally created a new Apple ID. I have no purchases on this new ID, so I really don't need it. I just want to stop using it and start using my old Apple ID on my new laptop. I got lots of purchases on my old ID. But how?! It seems impossible to change Apple ID on my MacBook Air.

I see some pages with descriptions on how to change from one user to another, like in case you're selling your MacBook to someone else, but then I'd lose the license for some of the software! I'm not switching users, it's still me!😢

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Jul 28, 2015 8:44 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

726,689 points

Jul 28, 2015 8:49 PM in response to Lysfjord

Sign out of it and then into your old Apple ID.

(130920)

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Answer 2

Lysfjord Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 28, 2015 8:59 PM in response to Niel

Signing out brings me to a screen where my only two options for signing back in again are by choosing the default account (which I want to stop using) or to sign in as a guest. So your suggestion doesn't help.

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Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

726,689 points

Jul 28, 2015 9:00 PM in response to Lysfjord

Don’t sign out of your Mac OS X user account. Sign out of your Apple ID.

(130923)

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Answer 4

Lysfjord Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 28, 2015 9:07 PM in response to Niel

Think I managed to resolve my issue.

I went into System Preferences, then Users & Groups, created a new User based on my old Apple ID, gave that user Admin rights, then logged out and logged back in again with the newly created user. Now I just hope I haven't lost the licenses for any software.

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Answer 5

UGADog

Level 4

1,971 points

Jul 28, 2015 9:14 PM in response to Lysfjord

That may work... I don't know, but it is definitely the wrong way to do it. The right way is Apple menu item > System Preference > icloud > Sign out button, then sign in with your original Apple ID

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Answer 6

Lysfjord Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 28, 2015 9:21 PM in response to UGADog

If I follow your suggestion it just goes on to say...

"Do you want to stop using iCloud? The user "XXXXX" is using this iCloud account and password to log in to this Mac. If you sign out of iCloud, you will need to create a separate password for this Mac'.

[Cancel] [Stop Using iCloud]

That doesn't look like a solution?

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Answer 7

Niel

Level 10

726,689 points

Jul 28, 2015 9:30 PM in response to Lysfjord

If you’ve set it up with the new Apple ID, that is part of the solution. You can turn the iCloud password back on after signing in with the correct one.

You also need to check the Mac App Store and iTunes. If you’ve downloaded anything from either application(except for podcast episodes) while signed into it with the undesired Apple ID, it needs to be deleted and redownloaded.

(130925)

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Answer 8

Lysfjord Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 28, 2015 9:34 PM in response to Niel

Things seems to be getting resolved now. Had to login with my old ID again to find files stored in My Documents while using the old ID, and some free software like Chrome, Dropbox etc., had to be configured again. But are there any software licenses bundled with the OS that I would have to buy again since I'm using a different ID from the one I first registered the MacBook with?

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Answer 9

Niel

Level 10

726,689 points

Jul 28, 2015 9:36 PM in response to Lysfjord

No, there aren’t. If you find that the new ID is associated with the iLife or iWork applications(you’ll find out when updating them), click here.

(130926)

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