Change your iCloud email address through Settings on your device or Apple ID online

You can change your iCloud email address (the one that ends in @icloud.com) in two ways: through the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or by logging into your Apple ID account online. The online method is faster if you have access to a computer, and it lets you see all your options at once. On a device, the process takes a few more steps but works just as well. Either way, Apple will send you a confirmation email to your current address before the change takes effect.

Before you start, know that you can only change your primary iCloud email address once every 30 days. If you have created additional email aliases (extra addresses that forward to the same inbox), you can delete those without waiting. The change itself is free and does not affect your Apple ID password, your iCloud data, or any other Apple services you use.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your iCloud email address online at appleid.apple.com or through Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  • Apple requires you to confirm the change by clicking a link in an email sent to your current address, so you must still have access to it.
  • You can only change your primary iCloud email address once every 30 days, though you can delete extra email aliases at any time.
  • After you change your email address, update it in any apps or websites where you use it to sign in, such as email clients or cloud storage services.
  • If you want to keep your old iCloud email address, you can convert it to an alias instead of deleting it.

Change your iCloud email through Apple ID online

Go to appleid.apple.com in a 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 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 "Email and Phone Numbers" or "Emails and Phone Numbers." You will see your current iCloud email address listed there. Click "Edit" or the pencil icon next to it. A window will open where you can type a new iCloud email address. The new address must be available (not already in use by another Apple ID), and it must follow Apple's naming rules: letters, numbers, periods, and hyphens only, with no spaces or special characters.

After you type the new address, click "Change" or "Save." Apple will send a confirmation email to your current iCloud address. Open that email and click the confirmation link inside it within a set time (usually 24 hours). Once you confirm, the new address becomes your primary iCloud email when ready. Your old address will be deleted unless you choose to keep it as an alias.

Change your iCloud email on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. Tap "iCloud" (or "iCloud+" if you have a paid plan). Scroll down and tap "Manage your Apple ID account." You may be asked to sign in again. Once you are in your account settings, tap "Account" at the top.

Look for "Email and Phone Numbers" and tap "Edit." Tap the plus sign (+) to add a new email address, or tap "Change Primary Email" if that option appears. Type your new iCloud email address and tap "Next." Apple will send a confirmation email to your current address. Go back to the Mail app, open the confirmation email, and tap the link inside it. The new address will be active once you confirm.

Change your iCloud email on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions of macOS). Click "General" in the sidebar, then click "Sign In" or your name at the top. You may need to enter your password. Once you are signed in, look for "iCloud" or "Apple ID" in the sidebar and click it.

Click "Account Details" or "Manage your Apple ID account." You will be taken to the Apple ID website. From there, follow the same steps as the online method: click "Account," find "Email and Phone Numbers," click "Edit," type your new address, and confirm the change through the email Apple sends you.

Keep your old iCloud email as an alias instead of deleting it

If you have contacts or services that use your current iCloud email address, you may want to keep it as an alias rather than delete it. An alias is an extra email address that forwards all incoming mail to your new primary address. You can have up to three email aliases on one Apple ID.

When you change your primary email address, Apple will ask whether you want to delete the old one or keep it as an alias. Choose "Keep as alias" to preserve it. Any emails sent to the old address will still arrive in your inbox, but your primary address (the one shown in your profile) will be the new one. You can delete an alias at any time without the 30-day waiting period that applies to primary addresses.

Update your email address in other apps and services

After you change your iCloud email address, check any apps or websites where you use it to sign in. This includes email clients like Outlook or Gmail, cloud storage services, social media accounts, banking apps, and any other service linked to your Apple ID. Sign out of each one and sign back in with your new iCloud email address.

If you kept your old address as an alias, emails to that address will still reach you, so there is no rush. However, updating your primary email in these services prevents confusion later and ensures you receive password reset links and security alerts at the correct address. Start with the services you use most often, such as your primary email client or banking app.

What to do if you cannot confirm the change

Apple sends the confirmation email to your current iCloud address. If you do not see it, check your spam or junk folder first. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and refresh your inbox—sometimes the email takes a moment to arrive. If you still cannot find it, go back to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and look for an option to "Resend" the confirmation email.

If you no longer have access to your current iCloud email address (for example, if your account was compromised), you will need to recover your Apple ID through Apple's account recovery process. Go to iforgot.apple.com and follow the steps to verify your identity using your phone number, recovery email, or security questions. Once you have regained access, you can change your email address normally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my iCloud email address more than once?

Yes, but only once every 30 days. This limit applies to your primary iCloud email address. If you have created aliases (extra addresses), you can delete them without waiting. If you need to change your primary address again before 30 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you can make the next change.

What happens to my old iCloud email address after I change it?

By default, Apple deletes it. However, you can choose to keep it as an alias instead, which means emails sent to the old address will still reach your inbox. You can have up to three aliases on one Apple ID. If you delete the old address and later want it back, you may not be able to recover it.

Will changing my iCloud email affect my Apple ID password or other services?

No. Your Apple ID password stays the same, and your iCloud data (photos, documents, contacts, calendar) remains in your account. However, you will need to update your email address in any apps or websites where you use it to sign in, such as email clients or cloud storage services.

Do I need to confirm the change if I change my email on my device instead of online?

Yes. No matter which method you use, Apple sends a confirmation email to your current address. You must click the link in that email to complete the change. Without confirmation, your new email address will not become active.

What if someone else is already using the email address I want?

You cannot use an email address that is already connected to another Apple ID. If the address you want is taken, try a variation of it—for example, adding a number or period in the middle. You can also check if the address is available by trying to create a new Apple ID with it; if the system rejects it, it is already in use.