What happens when you change your Apple ID

Changing your Apple ID on an iPhone means signing out of your current account and signing into a different one. Your iPhone will then sync with the new Apple ID's iCloud account, App Store purchases, and other Apple services. This is different from simply changing your password — you are switching to a completely different account.

When you sign out of your current Apple ID, you lose access to iCloud backups, photos stored in iCloud Photo Library, Find My iPhone, and any apps you purchased under the old account. The new Apple ID will bring its own set of purchases and data. Some data on your phone may be deleted during this process, depending on what you have stored in iCloud.

Key Takeaways

  • You must know the password for your current Apple ID before you can sign out, or you will need to reset it through Apple's website.
  • Signing out of your Apple ID removes iCloud backups, Find My iPhone, and access to apps purchased under that account.
  • You can sign back into the same Apple ID later, or sign into a different one — the choice is yours at each step.
  • If you forget your Apple ID password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com before you start the sign-out process.
  • The entire process takes about 10 to 15 minutes if you have your password ready.

Steps to sign out of your current Apple ID

Open Settings on your iPhone and tap your name at the top of the screen. This shows your current Apple ID account. Scroll down and tap "Sign Out" at the bottom of the page. Your iPhone will ask you to enter your Apple ID password to confirm.

Type in your password and tap "Turn Off" when prompted. Your iPhone will then ask which data you want to keep on your phone — iCloud Photos, Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, and Notes. You can choose to keep copies of this data on your iPhone, or delete it. Choose "Keep on My iPhone" if you want to save the data, or "Delete from iPhone" if you do not need it. After you make your choice, tap "Sign Out" again to finish.

Your iPhone will take a few moments to complete the sign-out. You may see a loading screen. Do not turn off your phone during this time. Once the process finishes, you will no longer see your name at the top of the Settings screen.

What to do if you do not know your Apple ID password

If you cannot remember your password, you will need to reset it before you can sign out. Go to iforgot.apple.com on any computer or web browser. Enter your Apple ID email address and follow the on-screen steps. Apple will send a verification code to your email or phone number on file.

Enter the code when prompted, then create a new password. Make sure it is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol. Once you have reset your password, return to your iPhone and try the sign-out process again using your new password.

How to sign into a new Apple ID

After you have signed out, open Settings and tap "Sign in to your iPhone" at the top of the screen. Enter the email address and password for the Apple ID you want to use. If you do not have an Apple ID yet, you can create one during this step by tapping "Don't have an Apple ID or forgot it?"

Your iPhone will ask you to verify your identity using two-factor authentication. This means Apple will send a code to a trusted device or phone number associated with the new Apple ID. Enter that code when prompted. Your iPhone will then sync with the new account, which may take several minutes depending on how much data is attached to that account.

What data transfers and what does not

When you sign into a new Apple ID, your iPhone keeps the apps and files that were stored locally on the device — things like photos you took with the camera, notes you wrote in the Notes app, and messages in your Messages app. However, you will lose access to apps you purchased under your old Apple ID, and you will not see iCloud data from the old account.

The new Apple ID brings its own iCloud data, including photos stored in that account's iCloud Photo Library, contacts synced through that account, and apps purchased under that account. If you want to move photos or contacts from your old account to your new one, you will need to export them manually or use a computer to transfer them before you sign out.

Signing back into your old Apple ID later

You can sign back into your original Apple ID at any time by going to Settings, tapping "Sign Out," and then signing in with your old account credentials. Your iPhone will sync back to your old account's iCloud data. However, any data you created while signed into the new Apple ID will not automatically move to the old account — you will need to back up and transfer that data manually if you want to keep it.

If you plan to switch between accounts regularly, keep both passwords written down somewhere safe. Switching accounts repeatedly can cause confusion with app purchases and iCloud data, so most people choose one Apple ID and stick with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my photos and messages when I change my Apple ID?

Photos and messages stored locally on your iPhone will stay there. However, photos stored in iCloud Photo Library under your old account will no longer be visible. Messages synced through iCloud will also disappear. If you want to keep them, export them to your computer before you sign out.

Can I use two different Apple IDs on the same iPhone?

No. An iPhone can only be signed into one Apple ID at a time for iCloud and the App Store. However, you can set up multiple user accounts on an iPad, and each account can have its own Apple ID. On an iPhone, you must sign out of one account before signing into another.

What if my iPhone asks for my old Apple ID password after I sign out?

This usually happens if you have Activation Lock turned on. Your iPhone is asking you to verify the old account before allowing a new one. Enter the old Apple ID password when prompted, then proceed with signing into your new account. If you do not remember the password, reset it at iforgot.apple.com.

How long does it take to switch Apple IDs?

The sign-out process takes about 5 minutes. Signing into the new account and syncing data takes another 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how much data is attached to the new account. Do not turn off your iPhone during either step.

Will my apps still work after I change my Apple ID?

Apps you downloaded under your old Apple ID will still run on your phone, but you will not be able to update them through the App Store. To update them, you will need to sign back into your old Apple ID temporarily, update the apps, then sign back out. Alternatively, you can delete the old apps and download new versions under your new Apple ID.