Change Your Apple ID Email in Settings or on the Web

You can change the email address linked to your Apple ID through your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple's website. The process takes about five minutes and does not require you to create a new account. Apple lets you change your primary email — the one you use to sign in — or add and remove secondary email addresses tied to the same account.

The fastest route is usually your device's Settings app if you are already signed in. If you have forgotten your password or do not have access to a trusted device, use Apple's account page at appleid.apple.com instead. Both methods accomplish the same thing, but the web route works from any computer or phone, even one not signed into your Apple account.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your primary Apple ID email through Settings on any Apple device or through appleid.apple.com on any web browser.
  • Apple will send a verification code to both your old and new email address before the change takes effect.
  • If you change your primary email, you will need to sign back into your devices using the new address within 30 days.
  • You can keep your old email as a secondary address so people can still reach you through it, or remove it entirely.
  • If you cannot access your old email address, contact Apple Support before attempting the change.

Change Your Email Through iPhone, iPad, or Mac Settings

Open Settings and tap or click your name at the top. Select "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" (on iPhone or iPad) or "Account" (on Mac). You will see your current Apple ID email listed. Tap or click "Edit" next to the email field.

Type your new email address into the field. Apple will ask you to verify the change by sending codes to both your old and new email addresses. Check both inboxes for the verification codes — you may need to wait a few minutes for them to arrive. Enter both codes when prompted, and the change will be complete.

After you change your primary email, sign out of your other Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch) and sign back in using your new email address. You have 30 days to do this. If you do not sign back in within 30 days, Apple will sign you out automatically.

Change Your Email on Apple's Website

Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your current Apple ID email and password. Click "Account" at the top of the page, then scroll to the "Account" section and click "Edit" next to your email address.

Type your new email address and click "Continue". Apple will send verification codes to both your old and new email addresses. Open both emails, copy the codes, and enter them on the page. Once both codes are verified, your primary email address will change when ready.

You will need to sign back into your devices within 30 days using the new email. If you use iCloud, your iCloud email address does not change — only the email you use to sign into your account changes.

Keep Your Old Email as a Secondary Address or Remove It

After you change your primary email, Apple automatically moves your old email to your secondary email addresses. This means people can still send you messages through your old email, and you can use it to sign in if you choose to switch back later.

If you want to remove your old email entirely instead of keeping it, go back to your account settings, find the old email in your secondary addresses list, and click the remove button (usually a minus sign or trash icon). You cannot remove an email address until you have successfully changed your primary email first.

What to Do If You Cannot Access Your Old Email Address

If your old email account is closed, hacked, or you no longer have access to it, you cannot complete the verification step on your own. Contact Apple Support before you attempt to change your email. They can verify your identity through other means — such as answers to security questions, a recovery key, or information about your account history — and complete the change without needing access to the old email.

Have your device serial number, phone number, and any recovery codes ready when you contact Apple. The process usually takes one business day.

Sign Back Into Your Devices After the Change

Once your email is changed, you must sign out and sign back into each device using your new email address. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Sign Out". You will be asked whether to keep a copy of your data on the device — choose "Keep a Copy" if you want to preserve your photos, notes, and other content. Then sign back in with your new email address.

On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your name, scroll down, and click "Sign Out". Follow the same steps to sign back in. On Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to "Privacy", and toggle off "Wrist Detection", then sign out through the Watch settings.

You do not need to change your password. Your password stays the same — only the email address you use to sign in changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Apple ID email affect my iCloud email address?

No. Your iCloud email address (the one that ends in @icloud.com) stays the same. Changing your Apple ID email only changes the address you use to sign into your account. If you want to change your iCloud email, that is a separate process through iCloud settings.

Can I use my old email address to sign in after I change it?

Yes, if you keep your old email as a secondary address. You can sign into your account with either your primary email or any secondary email linked to the account. If you remove the old email entirely, you will not be able to use it to sign in anymore.

What happens if I do not sign back into my devices within 30 days?

Apple will automatically sign you out of all your devices after 30 days. You will need to sign back in with your new email address to use iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. Your data will not be deleted, but you will not be able to access it until you sign back in.

Do I need to change my password when I change my email?

No. Your password remains the same. You only need to update the email address you use to sign in. If you want to change your password for security reasons, you can do that separately through your account settings.

Can I change my email address on an iPad or Mac instead of an iPhone?

Yes. The process is the same on any Apple device. Go to Settings (or System Settings on Mac), tap or click your name, and follow the steps to edit your email address. You can also use appleid.apple.com on any web browser if you prefer not to use a device.