The quickest way to change your Apple ID email
You can change the email address linked to your Apple ID through the Apple ID website or through your device settings. The process takes about five minutes and does not require you to create a new account. Apple lets you change to a completely different email address, or add a new one while keeping your old address active for a short time.
The email you use for your Apple ID is how you sign into your devices, the App Store, iCloud, and Apple Music. Changing it affects all of these services at once. You will need to know your current Apple ID password to make the change, and you may need to verify the new email address before the switch is complete.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your Apple ID email on any device by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security, or by visiting appleid.apple.com on a web browser.
- Apple requires you to verify your new email address by clicking a link in a confirmation message before the change takes effect.
- Your old email address will stop working as your Apple ID login within a few days, but you can add it as a recovery email to keep it connected to your account.
- If you change your email on one device, the change syncs automatically to all your other Apple devices signed in with the same Apple ID.
Changing your email through Settings on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. Then tap Password and Security. You will see your current Apple ID email listed under the Account section. Tap Edit next to the email address.
A menu will appear with options to change your email or add a new one. If you want to replace your current email entirely, tap "Change Email Address". Type in your new email and tap Next. Apple will send a verification code to both your old and new email addresses. Check both inboxes and enter the codes when prompted.
Once you verify both codes, your new email becomes your Apple ID. The old email will no longer work for signing in, though you can add it back as a recovery email if you want to keep it connected to your account for security purposes.
Changing your email through the Apple ID website
Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your current Apple ID and password. Click Account at the top, then look for the Account section on the left side of the page. You will see your email address listed there.
Click Edit next to your email address. Choose whether you want to change your primary email or add a new one. If you are changing your primary email, type the new address and click Change Email. Apple will send verification codes to both addresses. Enter both codes to confirm the change.
The website method works the same way as the Settings method — both require you to verify the new email before it becomes active. If you are using a work computer or shared device, sign out of your Apple ID account when you are finished.
What happens to your old email address
Your old email stops working as your Apple ID login within a few days of the change. You will not be able to use it to sign into iCloud, the App Store, or any other Apple service. However, the email address itself is not deleted from your account.
You can add your old email as a recovery email address, which keeps it connected to your account for security and account recovery purposes. This is optional, but it is useful if you ever need to reset your password or recover your account. To add it back, go to Password and Security in Settings or on appleid.apple.com and look for the Recovery Email section.
Syncing the change across your devices
Once you change your Apple ID email on one device, the change automatically syncs to all your other Apple devices that are signed in with the same Apple ID. You do not need to manually update each device. This includes your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
If a device does not sync the change within a few hours, sign out of your Apple ID on that device and sign back in using your new email address. This forces the device to recognize the update. You may need to do this for older devices or devices that have not been used recently.
If you cannot verify your new email
Check your spam or junk folder for the verification message from Apple. Sometimes the email gets filtered by your email provider. If you still cannot find it, wait a few minutes and request a new code. Apple will send another verification message to both your old and new email addresses.
If you no longer have access to your old email address, you will need to use account recovery to change your Apple ID. Go to iforgot.apple.com and follow the steps to recover your account. You will need to answer security questions or use a recovery key if you set one up previously. This process takes longer than a normal email change, so plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Apple ID email if I forgot my password?
No, you need your current password to change your email address. If you forgot your password, go to iforgot.apple.com and reset it first. Once you have access to your account again, you can change the email through Settings or appleid.apple.com.
What if I want to use a different email but keep my old one active?
You can add a new email address as an alias without removing your old one. Go to Password and Security in Settings or on appleid.apple.com and look for the option to add an email alias. This lets you sign in with either email address, though only one will be your primary email for receiving notifications.
Do I need to update my email in the App Store separately?
No. Your Apple ID email is the same across all Apple services. When you change it in Settings or on appleid.apple.com, the change applies to the App Store, iCloud, Apple Music, and everything else automatically. You do not need to update anything separately.
How long does it take for the email change to take effect?
The change takes effect immediately after you verify both email addresses. Your old email will stop working as your Apple ID login within a few days. If you see any delays, sign out and sign back in on your devices to refresh the connection.
Can I change my email back to the old one later?
Yes, you can change your Apple ID email as many times as you want. Just follow the same process through Settings or appleid.apple.com. Each time you change it, you will need to verify the new email address before the change takes effect.