You can change your Apple ID email in Settings on any Apple device, or through your account page on a web browser

Your Apple ID is the email address you use to sign into iCloud, the App Store, Apple Music, and other Apple services. If you want to use a different email for your Apple account, you can change it yourself in a few minutes. The process is straightforward, but Apple requires you to verify that you own both the old email and the new one before the change takes effect.

The fastest way is to go through your Apple ID account page on any computer or phone with a web browser. You can also change it in Settings on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, though the web method gives you more control if something goes wrong during the process.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Apple ID email through your account page at appleid.apple.com or through Settings on any Apple device.
  • Apple will send a verification code to both your current email and your new email before the change is complete.
  • If you lose access to your current email address, you will need to answer security questions or use a recovery key to prove you own the account.
  • After you change your email, you will need to sign back into your Apple devices using the new email address.

Change your Apple ID email on a web browser

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your current Apple ID email and password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Apple recommends), you will need to enter a verification code sent to one of your trusted devices.

Once you are signed in, click "Account" at the top of the page. Look for the section labeled "Account Information" and find your email address listed there. Click "Edit" next to your email. A window will open asking you to enter a new email address. Type the email you want to use instead, then click "Change Email" or "Continue" (the exact button name depends on your region).

Apple will send a verification code to your current email address. Check that inbox, find the code, and enter it into the box on the screen. Then Apple will send a second verification code to your new email address. Check that inbox and enter the second code. Once both codes are verified, your Apple ID email has been changed.

Change your Apple ID email in Settings on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap your name at the top of the screen. Tap "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" (or just "Account" depending on your iOS version). You will see your current Apple ID email listed. Tap "Edit" in the top right corner.

Tap the email address field and delete your current email. Type your new email address, then tap "Done". Apple will send a verification code to your current email. Enter that code when prompted. Then Apple will send a second code to your new email address. Enter that code as well. Once both are verified, the change is complete.

After you change your email, you may be signed out of some apps or services on your device. You will need to sign back in using your new Apple ID email.

Change your Apple ID email on a Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older macOS versions). Click "General" in the sidebar, then click "Sign In" or your name at the top of the main panel. You may need to enter your Mac password.

Look for your Apple ID email and click "Edit" next to it. Type your new email address and click "Change Email". Apple will send a verification code to your current email. Enter it when prompted. Then Apple will send a second code to your new email. Enter that code as well. Once both codes are verified, your Apple ID email has been changed.

What to do if you cannot access your current email address

If you no longer have access to the email address linked to your Apple ID, you cannot use the standard email change process. Instead, you will need to prove you own the account using your security questions or a recovery key.

Go to appleid.apple.com and click "Forgot Apple ID or password" at the bottom of the sign-in screen. Select "I don't have access to my Apple ID" and follow the prompts. Apple will ask you to enter your name and a phone number associated with your account. You will then be asked to answer your security questions or enter a recovery key if you have one saved. Once you answer correctly, you can set a new password and change your email address.

If you do not have your security questions answered and do not have a recovery key, contact Apple Support. They can verify your identity through other methods, such as asking about your purchase history or the devices registered to your account.

Sign back into your devices after changing your email

After you change your Apple ID email, you will need to sign back in on any device that uses that account. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, and tap "Sign Out". Then tap "Sign In" and enter your new Apple ID email and password.

On a Mac, go to System Settings, click "General", click your name, and click "Sign Out". Then click "Sign In" and enter your new email and password. On an Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to "Account", and sign out and back in with your new email.

You do not need to change your password when you change your email. Your password stays the same. However, if you use iCloud Keychain to store passwords, you may be asked to re-enter your password on some apps after you sign back in.

What happens to your old email address

Once your Apple ID email has been changed, your old email address is no longer connected to your account. You can use that old email address to create a new Apple ID if you want, or you can let it go unused.

If you had set up an alternate email address (sometimes called a "rescue email") on your account, that address will remain on your account and can still be used to recover your Apple ID if you forget your password. Your new primary email address will become your main sign-in email, but the alternate email stays in place for recovery purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to change my Apple ID email?

The change is usually complete within a few minutes once you verify both email addresses. In rare cases, it can take up to an hour for the change to take effect across all Apple services. If you are still seeing your old email after an hour, sign out and sign back in on your devices.

Can I change my Apple ID email if I have two-factor authentication turned on?

Yes. Two-factor authentication actually makes the process safer. You will need to enter a verification code sent to one of your trusted devices when you sign into your Apple ID account, and then verify both your old and new email addresses as usual.

What if I want to use a different email as my main email but keep my old one for recovery?

When you change your Apple ID email, the new email becomes your primary sign-in email. Your old email can be set as an alternate or rescue email if you want to keep it linked to your account for recovery purposes. You can manage this in your Apple ID account settings under "Account Information".

Will changing my Apple ID email affect my iCloud storage or photos?

No. Your iCloud data, photos, documents, and storage plan all stay with your account. The email change only affects how you sign in. Your files and settings remain exactly the same.

What if I change my mind and want to change it back?

You can change your Apple ID email as many times as you want using the same process. Just go back to your account settings and enter a different email address. Apple will verify both the current and new email addresses again.