Change Your Apple ID Email in Settings or on Apple's Website
You can change the email address linked to your Apple ID in two ways: through the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or by signing into your Apple ID account on Apple's website. The Settings method is faster if you're already on your device. The website method works from any computer and gives you more control if you're changing to a completely new email address or if you've lost access to your current one.
Both routes take about five minutes and require you to verify the new email address before the change takes effect. Apple will send a verification code to whichever email you're switching to, and you'll need to enter that code to confirm the change is real.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your Apple ID email through Settings on any Apple device or through appleid.apple.com on a web browser.
- Apple will send a verification code to your new email address, and you must enter it to complete the change.
- If you're changing to an email address you've never used before, Apple may ask you to verify your identity using your phone number or recovery key.
- Your old email address will stop working as your Apple ID login within a few days, but you can still use it to sign into other services.
- If you've forgotten your current Apple ID password, you'll need to reset it before you can change your email address.
Change Your Email Through iPhone, iPad, or Mac Settings
Open Settings and tap your name at the top of the screen. On a Mac, open System Settings and click your name in the sidebar. Then tap or click "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" (on iPhone or iPad) or "Personal Information" (on Mac).
You'll see your current Apple ID email listed. Tap or click "Edit" next to it, then tap or click the email address itself. Delete the current address and type in the new one. Tap or click "Done" or "Save." Apple will when ready send a verification code to the new email address. Check that inbox, copy the code, and enter it back into the Settings screen to confirm the change.
If the new email address is one you've used with Apple before (for example, as a secondary email on a different Apple ID), you may see a message saying the address is already in use. In that case, you'll need to remove it from the other Apple ID first, or choose a different email address.
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, then look for "Email and Phone Numbers" or "Contact Information" (the exact label varies depending on your region and account type).
You'll see your current email listed as your primary Apple ID. Click "Edit," then click the email address itself. Type in your new email, then click "Save." Apple will send a verification code to the new address. Go to that email inbox, copy the code, and paste it back into the website to finish the change.
The website method is especially useful if you're switching to an email address that's completely new to Apple's system, because you have more space to see what's happening and can take screenshots if you need to troubleshoot later.
What Happens If You Can't Access Your Current Email
If your current Apple ID email is an old account you no longer have access to, you'll need to verify your identity before you can change it. Apple will ask you to confirm who you are using your phone number, a recovery key (if you set one up), or answers to security questions you created when you first set up your Apple ID.
If you don't remember your security questions or don't have access to your phone number, you may need to contact Apple Support. They can help you regain access to your account, though the process usually takes at least a few hours and sometimes a full business day.
Verify Your New Email Address Quickly
After you enter your new email address, Apple sends a six-digit verification code to that inbox. Check your spam or junk folder if you don't see it in your main inbox within a minute or two—verification emails sometimes get filtered by mistake. The code expires after 15 minutes, so if you miss it, you can request a new one.
Once you enter the correct code, your new email becomes your Apple ID when ready. Your old email will stop working as your login within a few days, but you can still use it to sign into other services or to recover your account if you forget your password later.
Update Your Email Across All Your Devices
After you change your Apple ID email, you don't need to manually update it on every device. Your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch will all sync the change automatically within a few hours, as long as they're connected to Wi-Fi and signed into the same Apple ID.
If a device doesn't update automatically, sign out of your Apple ID on that device, then sign back in using your new email address. This usually only happens on older devices or ones that haven't been used in a while.
What to Do If the Change Doesn't Go Through
If you see an error message saying your new email is already in use, it means that address is linked to a different Apple ID. You have three options: use a different email address, remove the address from the other Apple ID first, or contact Apple Support if you don't remember which account it's tied to.
If the verification code never arrives, check your spam folder, request a new code, or try changing your email again from a different device. Sometimes Apple's email servers take a few minutes to deliver the code, especially if your email provider has strict spam filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Apple ID email if I've forgotten my password?
No. You'll need to reset your Apple ID password first by going to iforgot.apple.com, then follow the steps to change your email. Apple requires you to sign in with your current password before making account changes.
Will changing my email affect my iCloud, App Store, or iTunes purchases?
No. Your purchases, photos, contacts, and all other data stay with your Apple ID regardless of which email address is attached to it. The email is just the login credential.
How long does it take for the email change to show up on all my devices?
Usually within a few hours, as long as your devices are signed into the same Apple ID and connected to Wi-Fi. If a device doesn't update by the next day, sign out and back in using your new email address.
Can I use my old email address to sign in after I change it?
No. Once the change is complete, only your new email address will work as your Apple ID login. Your old email will no longer sign you in, though you can still use it to recover your account if you forget your password.
What if I want to change my email back to the old one later?
You can change your Apple ID email as many times as you want, as long as you have access to the new email address and can verify it with a code. Just follow the same steps using your current email and enter the new (or old) address you want to switch to.