You can change your iCloud email address, but Apple limits you to one change per three years
Your iCloud email address — the one that ends in @icloud.com — can be changed through your Apple ID settings on any device. The process takes about five minutes and does not require you to create a new account. However, Apple allows only one change every three years, so choose carefully before you start.
The change applies to your Apple ID itself, which means your new email becomes the login for your account across all Apple services: iCloud, the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud Mail, and any other Apple service tied to that ID. Your old email stops working as a login when ready, though Apple keeps it associated with your account for recovery purposes for a limited time.
You cannot change an iCloud email to a different iCloud email — you can only change it to a completely different email address you already own (like a Gmail or Outlook address), or to a new iCloud address that has never been used before. If you want to switch to a different @icloud.com address, you will need to create that address first, then change your Apple ID to it.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your iCloud email address once every three years through your Apple ID account settings on any Apple device or at appleid.apple.com.
- Your new email becomes your Apple ID login when ready, and your old email stops working as a login but remains on file for account recovery.
- You can change to any email address you own, including a new iCloud address you create first, but not to another person's email or an address already tied to a different Apple ID.
- Apps and services that use your old email for login or contact will need to be updated manually — the change does not propagate automatically to third-party services.
- If you have not changed your iCloud email in the past three years, you will see a message telling you when you are may be able to access to change it again.
How to change your iCloud email on iPhone, iPad, or Mac
On any Apple device, open Settings (iPhone and iPad) or System Settings (Mac). Tap or click your name at the top, then select Password and Security. Look for the Account section and tap or click Edit next to your email address or Apple ID.
Choose Change Email Address. Apple will show you your current email and ask you to enter the new one. Type the email address you want to use — it must be an address you own and can access right now. If you want to use a new iCloud address, create it first by going to iCloud.com, signing in, and setting up a new email alias or account.
After you enter the new email, Apple sends a verification code to both your old and new email addresses. Check both inboxes and enter the codes when prompted. Once verified, your new email becomes your Apple ID login. You will be signed out of your device and asked to sign back in with the new email.
How to change your iCloud email on a computer using appleid.apple.com
Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your current Apple ID email and password. Click Account in the left menu, then look for the Account section on the right side of the screen.
Find your email address or Apple ID field and click Edit. Select Change Email Address from the menu. Enter the new email address you want to use, then click Continue. Apple will send verification codes to both your old and new email addresses — check both inboxes and enter the codes when the site prompts you.
After both codes are verified, your new email becomes your Apple ID login. You will be signed out of appleid.apple.com and will need to sign back in with your new email address.
What happens to your old email address after the change
Your old iCloud email address does not disappear when ready. Apple keeps it tied to your account as a recovery email for a period of time, which means you can use it to reset your password or recover your account if you get locked out. However, you cannot use it to sign into any Apple service — your new email is now your only login.
If you have set up two-factor authentication (which Apple recommends), your old email will no longer receive security codes or notifications. Those will go to your new email and to any trusted phone numbers you have on file.
Any services or apps outside of Apple that have your old iCloud email on file will still have it — Apple does not notify third parties of the change. If you use your old iCloud email to log into a website, app, or service, you will need to update it manually in that service's account settings.
Updating apps and services that use your old iCloud email
After you change your Apple ID email, check any apps or websites where you signed up using your old iCloud address. This includes email forwarding services, online banking, social media accounts, shopping sites, and any app that uses your Apple ID for login.
For apps on your iPhone or iPad that use Sign in with Apple, you may need to sign out and sign back in with your new email. Go to Settings, tap your name, then Passwords and Security, and look for Apps and Websites Using Your Apple ID. You can remove old apps from this list if you no longer use them.
For email forwarding — if you set up your old iCloud email to forward messages to another address — that forwarding will stop working. You will need to set up forwarding from your new iCloud email address instead, or check iCloud Mail directly using your new email.
What to do if you have already changed your email address recently
Apple enforces a three-year waiting period between email changes. If you changed your iCloud email within the last three years, you will not be able to change it again until that period ends. When you try to change your email through Settings or appleid.apple.com, you will see a message telling you the exact date you become may be able to access to change it again.
If you need a different email address before that date, your only option is to create a new Apple ID with a different email. This means a separate account for the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services. You can keep your old Apple ID for existing purchases and data, but new purchases and services will be tied to the new ID.
If you changed your email by mistake or believe your account was compromised, contact Apple Support. They may be able to help you change it again sooner, though this is not may provide and depends on your situation.
Choosing a new email address before you change
Before you start the change process, decide what email you want to use. You have three options: an email address you already own (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or any other provider), a new iCloud email address you create first, or an email address you set up specifically for this purpose.
If you choose a new iCloud address, create it before you change your Apple ID email. Go to iCloud.com, sign in with your current Apple ID, and create a new email alias. Once it exists, you can change your Apple ID to that new iCloud email.
If you choose a non-Apple email, make sure you have access to it right now — Apple will send a verification code to it during the change process, and you will need to enter that code to complete the change. If you cannot access the email address, the change will fail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my iCloud email address to a Gmail or Outlook address?
Yes. You can change your Apple ID email to any email address you own and can access, including Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or any other provider. Apple will send a verification code to that address during the change process, so you must be able to receive email there.
What happens to my iCloud Mail inbox when I change my email address?
Your iCloud Mail inbox stays the same — all your messages remain in your account. You sign into iCloud Mail using your new email address instead of your old one. If you set up email forwarding from your old iCloud address, that forwarding stops working and you will need to set it up again with your new address.
Can I change my iCloud email address back to what it was before?
No. Once you change your Apple ID email, you cannot change it back to the old one. You can only change it to a different email address, and you must wait three years before making another change. Choose your new email carefully because you are stuck with it for at least three years.
Do I need to update my password when I change my email address?
No. Your password stays the same — only your login email changes. You will use your new email address with your existing password to sign into Apple services after the change is complete.
Will my Apple purchases and subscriptions move to my new email address?
Yes. Your Apple ID is the account that owns your purchases, subscriptions, and iCloud data. When you change the email on your Apple ID, all of that moves with it. You will see the same purchases, subscriptions, and data when you sign in with your new email.