How To Change your iCloud Email Address

Your iCloud email address is the email address associated with your Apple ID. It allows you to access important Apple services like iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and the App Store.

If you want to change the email address tied to your Apple ID and iCloud account, it is possible in most cases. However, there are a few limitations depending on the type of email address you currently have set up.

When You Should Change Your iCloud Email Address

There are several reasons why you may want or need to change your iCloud email address:

• You no longer have access to your old email address – For example, if you used a work email that you no longer have access to after leaving that job.
• Security concerns – If your old email address has been involved in a data breach or if you believe it has been compromised, changing emails enhances security.
• Switching to a more professional email – If your Apple ID uses an old, informal email you created years ago, switching to a name-based professional email can be beneficial.
• Apple email limitations – Apple emails like @icloud.com, @me.com and @mac.com have restrictions in terms of changing them that regular emails don’t.

Can You Change an @icloud.com, @me.com or @mac.com Email Address?

If your Apple ID uses an @icloud.com, @me.com or @mac.com email address, you cannot change it to a regular third-party email address like @gmail.com or @yahoo.com.

However, you can change it to another Apple-provided email address ending in @icloud.com, @me.com or @mac.com.

So if your current Apple ID is [email protected], you could change it to [email protected] but not to [email protected].

The only other option is to create an entirely new Apple ID with the email address you want, but this means starting your Apple ecosystem over from scratch.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your iCloud Email Address on iPhone

If your Apple ID does NOT use an @icloud.com, @me.com or @mac.com email, you can change it to any email address you want. Here’s how to do it on iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap your Apple ID banner at the top
3. Tap “Name, Phone Numbers, Email”
4. Tap “Edit” next to the email address
5. Enter your new desired email address
6. Tap “Continue” and follow prompts to verify the new email address
7. Sign in with your new email address whenever prompted

Once complete, your Apple ID and iCloud account will be associated with your new email address moving forward.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your iCloud Email Address on Mac

You can also change your iCloud email address on a Mac computer by following these steps:

1. Click the Apple menu icon
2. Select System Preferences
3. Click “Apple ID”
4. Click “Overview” on the sidebar
5. Sign Out of your current iCloud account
6. Sign In again with your new email address and password
7. Enter verification codes if prompted
8. Begin using your new email address for Apple services

This will change your iCloud email across Apple devices. Just sign in with the updated email anytime you need to access Apple apps or services.

Updating the Email Address on iPhone and Mac

Once you change your iCloud email address associated with your Apple ID, you’ll need to update the email on any devices or computers linked to that account.

On iPhone:

• Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out
• Sign back in with your new email address

On Mac:

• Go to System Preferences > Apple ID > Overview
• Sign Out then back in with new email

This ensures all your devices recognize and sync up with the new iCloud email address moving forward.

Can I Restore Purchases If I Change My Apple ID Email?

Yes, when you change your Apple ID to a new email address, you do not lose access to previous app downloads, purchases, photos, or device backups associated with your account.

As long as you use the same Apple ID password when signing in with your new email, all of your account data, content and purchases will carry over seamlessly. This includes:

• Apps downloaded on any device
• Music, movies, TV shows
• iCloud Photos and Backups
• Contacts, Calendars and Reminders
• Documents and Data
• Keychains and Saved Passwords

You can continue accessing everything you had before after changing to a new email. Just sign in with your usual password anytime downloads, purchases or backups are needed.

Tips for Changing Your iCloud Email Address

Here are some top tips to ensure the process goes smoothly:

• Verify the new email – Be sure to carefully verify the new email linked to your Apple ID whenever prompted after changing it. This confirms you control the email.
• Update devices and computers – Don’t forget to update the iCloud email on all of your personal devices and computers by signing out then back in.
• Use the same password – Sign in with your existing Apple ID password (not new iCloud email password) whenever prompted to retain purchases and data.
• Check Apple services access – After changing emails, check that you can still properly access services like iCloud, FaceTime, iMessage and the App Store.
• Contact Apple Support if issues – If you encounter any problems accessing Apple services with your new email, contact Apple Support for troubleshooting help.

In Summary

Changing your iCloud email address is straightforward as long as you do not currently have an @icloud.com, @me.com or @mac.com Apple email set up.

Simply update the email in your Apple ID account settings, verify the new address, sign out then back in across devices, and continue signing in with your usual password to keep purchases intact.

While Apple-provided email addresses have limitations, regular email addresses can be swapped easily. Just take your time and follow each step carefully to ensure a smooth transition to your new iCloud email ID.