How to Change Your Email Address on Your iPhone

Where to Change Your Email on iPhone

You change your email address on iPhone in the Settings app, not in Mail itself. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" to change the email linked to your Apple ID — this is the address you use to sign in and receive account notifications. If you want to change the email address in the Mail app for a specific email account (like Gmail or Outlook), you go to Settings, scroll to Mail, tap Accounts, select the account, and edit the email there.

The steps differ depending on whether you're changing your Apple ID email or an individual mail account. Most people need to do one or the other, not both. Read through both sections below to find which one matches what you're trying to do.

Key Takeaways

Your Apple ID email (the one you sign in with) is changed in Settings under your name, and you'll need to verify the new address before the change takes effect.
Email accounts you've added to Mail (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) are changed in Settings under Mail, then Accounts, then the specific account.
When you change your Apple ID email, Apple sends a verification link to both your old and new address — you must click the link on the new address to confirm.
Changing an individual mail account email does not affect your Apple ID or any other accounts on your phone.
If you forget your Apple ID password during the change process, you'll need to reset it through Apple's account recovery page before continuing.

Changing Your Apple ID Email Address

Your Apple ID email is the address you use to sign into your iPhone and iCloud. To change it, open Settings and tap your name at the very top of the screen. Tap "Name, Phone Numbers, Email." You'll see your current Apple ID email listed. Tap "Edit" in the upper right corner.

Tap the red minus sign next to your current email address, then tap "Delete." Now tap "Add Email or Phone Number" and enter your new email address. Tap "Next." Apple will send a verification code to your new email address — check that inbox and enter the code when prompted on your phone. You'll also receive a verification email at your old address; open that email and click the verification link there too. Once both are verified, the change is complete.

This process takes a few minutes but both verification steps are required. If you don't see the verification email in your new inbox, check your spam folder. If you can't access your old email address anymore, you may need to use Apple's account recovery process instead — go to iforgot.apple.com and follow the prompts.

Changing Email Addresses in the Mail App

If you've added Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another email account to your iPhone's Mail app, you can change which email address that account uses. Open Settings and scroll down to Mail. Tap "Accounts" and select the account you want to change. Tap "Account" at the top of the next screen.

You'll see the email address listed under "Email." Tap "Edit" in the upper right, then tap the email field and change the address. Tap "Save." Your iPhone will verify the new address with that email provider — this usually happens automatically within a few seconds, but occasionally takes a minute or two. If verification fails, double-check that you typed the address correctly and that you have the right password for that account.

Changing an email address in Mail does not affect your Apple ID, iCloud, or any other accounts on your phone. Only that one Mail account is updated.

What Happens to Your Old Email Address

When you change your Apple ID email, your old address is removed from your account but you can still use it to sign in for 30 days. After 30 days, only your new email address will work. This grace period gives you time to update your email in apps and services that use your Apple ID.

If you change an email address in the Mail app, the old address is straightforward removed from that account. You won't receive mail there anymore, but the account itself stays on your phone. If you want to remove the account entirely, go back to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap the account, and tap "Delete Account."

Fixing Common Problems During the Change

If you don't receive the verification email when changing your Apple ID address, wait a few minutes and check your spam or junk folder. If it's still not there, go back to Settings > [Your Name] > "Name, Phone Numbers, Email," tap "Edit," and tap "Resend Verification Email." You can resend it as many times as you need.

If you see an error saying the email address is already in use, that address is linked to another Apple ID. You'll need to use a different email address, or if that address is yours, you can remove it from the other Apple ID first by signing into that account and following the same change process.

If your Mail account won't verify after you change the email address, make sure you're using the correct password for that email account. Some email providers (like Gmail) require you to generate a special app password instead of your regular password — check your email provider's support page if verification keeps failing.

Updating Your Email Elsewhere After the Change

Once you've changed your Apple ID email on your iPhone, update it in any other places you use that account. Sign into iCloud.com on a computer and check that your email is updated there too — it should sync automatically, but it's worth confirming. If you use your Apple ID to sign into apps like Photos, Notes, or Find My Friends, those will use your new email automatically.

For services outside Apple (like your bank or email provider), you may need to update your Apple ID email in their settings separately. Check any accounts that have your Apple ID linked to them and update the email there if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my email address if I don't have access to my old email anymore?

If you can't access your old email to verify the change, you'll need to use Apple's account recovery process. Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID, and follow the steps to verify your identity using your phone number or recovery key instead. Once you've recovered your account, you can change the email address.

Will changing my Apple ID email affect my iCloud photos or documents?

No. Your iCloud data stays on your phone and in your iCloud account — changing the email address doesn't touch any of it. Your photos, documents, and backups remain exactly as they are.

What if I change my email address by mistake?

You can change it back the same way you changed it the first time. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > "Name, Phone Numbers, Email," tap "Edit," remove the current address, and add your old one back. You'll need to verify both addresses again.

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

No, your password stays the same. You'll still sign in with the same password — only the email address you use to sign in changes. However, if you're concerned about account security, you can change your password separately in Settings > [Your Name] > "Password and Security."

Can I have two email addresses on my Apple ID at the same time?

You can have one primary email address and up to three alias email addresses on your Apple ID. All of them can be used to sign in, but only the primary address receives account notifications. To add an alias instead of replacing your current email, tap "Add Email or Phone Number" without deleting the old one first.

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.