How to Change Your Email Address on iPhone

Where to change your email on iPhone

You change the email address on your iPhone in the Settings app, not in Mail itself. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" to update the email linked to your Apple ID. This is the address Apple uses to contact you and the one that appears when you send messages from your device.

If you want to change the email address you use to sign into your iPhone instead — your Apple ID itself — that process is different and takes place in the same Settings menu but under a different section. Both changes are free and take about five minutes.

Key Takeaways

Your Apple ID email and the email address shown in your profile are two separate things, and you change them in different places within Settings.
To change the email shown in your profile, go to Settings > [Your Name] > "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" and tap "Edit."
To change your actual Apple ID email (the one you use to sign in), go to Settings > [Your Name] > "Password and Security" and select "Change Email."
After you change your Apple ID email, you will receive a confirmation message at both your old and new email addresses.
If you forget to confirm the change within a set time, the old email stays active and you can try again.

Changing the email in your profile

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the very top of the screen. You will see your profile picture and name. Tap "Name, Phone Numbers, Email." A screen will appear showing your current email address and phone number.

Tap the "Edit" button in the upper right corner. You can now add a new email address or remove an old one. Tap the plus sign to add an email, or tap the red minus sign next to an address to remove it. When you are done, tap "Done" in the upper right corner. The change takes effect right away.

Changing your Apple ID email address

Your Apple ID email is the address you use to sign into your iPhone, App Store, and iCloud. To change it, open Settings and tap your name. Then tap "Password and Security." Scroll down and tap "Change Email."

You will see a screen asking you to enter a new email address. Type the new address and tap "Next." Apple will send a verification code to both your old email and your new email. Check both inboxes and enter the code from the new email address to confirm the change. Once you confirm, your Apple ID email is updated and you will sign in with the new address the next time you restart your phone.

If you do not confirm within a few days, the change will be cancelled and your old email will remain your Apple ID. You can try again whenever you are ready.

What happens to your old email address

When you remove an email from your profile, it no longer appears when you send messages or contact other people. However, removing an email from your profile does not delete the address itself — it just stops showing it publicly on your device.

If you change your Apple ID email, your old email address becomes a recovery email for your account. This means you can use it to reset your password if you forget it. You can remove it as a recovery option later if you want, but Apple recommends keeping at least one recovery email on file.

Common mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake is confusing your profile email with your Apple ID email. If you only want to change what email shows when you text or email someone, use the "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" section. If you want to change the address you use to sign into your phone, use "Password and Security." Changing one does not change the other.

Another common error is typing your new email address wrong. Double-check the spelling before you tap "Next" — if you enter a typo, the confirmation code will go to the wrong inbox and you will not be able to complete the change. Take your time and read it back to yourself.

Do not close Settings or restart your phone while you are in the middle of changing your Apple ID email. Wait until you see the confirmation message that says the change is complete before you leave the screen.

If you cannot access your old email

If you are trying to change your Apple ID email but you no longer have access to your old email address, you will need to verify your identity another way. Apple can send the confirmation code to a trusted phone number instead. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > "Password and Security" and look for the option to verify by phone.

If you do not have access to a trusted phone number either, you may need to contact Apple Support. They can help you regain access to your account, but the process takes longer than the standard email change. Have your device serial number and any recovery information ready when you contact them.

Syncing your email across devices

If you use multiple Apple devices — an iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch — the email address in your profile will sync automatically once you sign out and back in on those devices. Your Apple ID email change also syncs across all devices, but you will need to sign in again with your new email address on each one.

On a Mac, go to System Settings > [Your Name] > "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" to see the same profile options. On an iPad, the process is identical to iPhone. Changes made on any device will appear on all the others within a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one email address on my iPhone?

Yes. You can add multiple email addresses to your profile by going to Settings > [Your Name] > "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" and tapping "Edit," then tapping the plus sign. However, only one email can be your primary Apple ID email — the one you use to sign in. The others are secondary and can be used for recovery or contact purposes.

Will changing my email affect my App Store purchases?

No. Your App Store purchases are tied to your Apple ID, not to the email address itself. When you change your Apple ID email, your purchase history and installed apps stay with your account. You will just sign in with the new email address.

What if I change my mind after changing my email?

You can change it back the same way you changed it the first time. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > "Password and Security" > "Change Email" and enter your old email address. You will need to verify the change again with a confirmation code, but there is no limit to how many times you can change your Apple ID email.

Does changing my email on iPhone change it on my Mac?

Yes, if you use the same Apple ID on both devices. Changes to your Apple ID email sync automatically across all your devices. However, if you use different Apple IDs on your iPhone and Mac, changing one will not affect the other.

Can I use a work email as my Apple ID?

Yes, you can use any email address as your Apple ID, including a work email. However, if you leave your job and lose access to that email, you will not be able to reset your password or recover your account using that email. Consider using a personal email address you control long-term, or add a personal email as a recovery option.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.