markgk2
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Q: iMac & iPhone will not share iCloud Keychain and other features

My iMac (27-inch Late 2009) with Yosemite and iPhone 6 will not share iCloud keychain and other features that are normally expected. I believe the problem is that the original iMac operating system was downloaded with my original Apple ID and the iPhone was setup with another Apple ID that used an email account carried over from my old Android days. I have gone into iMac's system preferences to change the Apple ID for iCloud, etc., to match the iPhone's Apple ID, but that does not help. New iMac system and other app updates and attempted purchases still are only allowed from the original Apple ID and not from the 2nd iPhone Apple ID setup in iMac preferences (and even though that is where I have actually put money to purchase apps). If I try to change the Apple ID prior to an update or purchase download, it is rejected by the App Store because it doesn't match the original Operating System's Apple ID.


I'm wondering if I upgrade to El Capitan if it there is a way to download the new El Capitan operating system from the 2nd Apple ID (used on my iPhone) and thereby allow the two devices to start sharing. But, I'm concerned if that does work, that I'll lose everything that is associated with the original Apple ID on the iMac, such as the keychain data, Safari bookmarks, my Fusion setup, and/or any of the Finder directory info and file structure, etc. Is there a way I could save this info and repopulate it into the new El Capitan operating system, if necessary?


Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge of how to do this?


Thank you!

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10), 27" Late 2009

Posted on Feb 19, 2016 5:53 PM

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markgk2

Q: iMac & iPhone will not share iCloud Keychain and other features

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  • by jeremy_v,

    jeremy_v jeremy_v Feb 21, 2016 6:36 AM in response to markgk2
    Community Specialists
    Feb 21, 2016 6:36 AM in response to markgk2

    Hi markgk2,
     

    Thank you for contributing to the Apple Support Communities.
     

    It looks like iCloud Keychain isn't working between your iMac and iPhone. Which other iCloud features are not working between the iMac and iPhone? I can offer some steps to help troubleshoot iCloud, as well as some knowledge on how Apple systems work together on your devices.
     

    I see you have two Apple IDs that you're using, and you've already done the right thing by signing in to iCloud on  your Mac's System Preferences with the same Apple ID you're using on your iPhone. Be sure that iCloud Keychain and the other features you want to use are set up by using the steps in Frequently asked questions about iCloud Keychain and OS X Yosemite: Change iCloud feature settings.
     

    Regarding the Mac App Store, changing the Apple ID you're using shouldn't affect your Mac beyond being able to download OS X updates and apps you've purchased. It's ok to use one Apple ID for iCloud services and another for iTunes and App Store purchases, if you already have a purchase history you want to access. For more information, see Mac App Store: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
     

    Let us know what happens when you go through the iCloud Keychain setup process or if there is a specific place where the process is getting stuck.
     

    Sincerely.