A reader had a follow-up question to a recent column about getting a permanent email address.
She wanted to know how to change her Apple ID, which is currently an old email address from her internet service provider.
She’d like to change to a permanent email address and then use that account for her Apple ID, but she’s not sure how to go about it.
Luckily Apple has made it easier to change the email address you use as your Apple ID.
You’ll need to sign out of every Apple service and device that uses your Apple ID. That list will include iCloud, the App Store, iTunes, the iBook Store, Messages, FaceTime, Find My iPhone and any device that’s signed into your Apple account.
Then launch a browser and go to https://appleid.apple.com and log into your existing account.
You should only be logged into your Apple ID on the device you’re using to change the account.
On your Apple ID account page, you’ll want to click the Edit button under the account section near the top of the page.
On the Edit page, you’ll see a Change Apple ID link. Follow the link, and you’ll get a box to enter a new email account.
There are a few rules.
If your current Apple ID is a third-party (non-Apple) email address, you can pick any email address you control, but that email address can’t be in use as an Apple ID already.
If your current Apple ID is an Apple email address (icloud.com, me.com or mac.com domains), you won’t be able to change it to a third-party email address (sorry). You’ll only be able to change it to another Apple email address that’s already associated with your account.
Enter the new email address, and you’ll have to verify your ownership of the account (Apple will send you a verification email).
Then you’ll need to use your new Apple ID to sign into all the devices and services you use.
It sounds scary, but it won’t be so bad.
Here's the page about how to change your Apple ID: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202667.
Here's the page on how to sign into devices and services after the change: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204071.
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Jim Rossman writes for The Dallas Morning News. He may be reached at jrossman@dallasnews.com.
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