You can change your Apple ID by signing out of your current account and signing in with a new one, but the process differs depending on your device and what you want to change

If you want to use a different email address as your Apple ID, or if you've created a new Apple ID and want to switch to it, you'll need to sign out of your current account first. The steps vary between iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and other devices. On most devices, you can change your Apple ID through Settings or System Preferences without losing your data — though you should back up first to be safe.

The key thing to understand: your Apple ID is the email address you use to sign into Apple services like iCloud, the App Store, and Apple Music. Changing it means you'll use a different email to access those services going forward. If you're trying to change just your password, or your name, or your payment method, those are separate processes that don't require signing out.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, then sign back in with your new Apple ID email address.
  • On Mac, open System Preferences > [Your Name] > Sign Out, and you'll be prompted to keep or remove data before signing in with a new ID.
  • You should back up your device before changing your Apple ID, in case something goes wrong during the process.
  • Your old Apple ID will remain active unless you delete it separately — changing your ID doesn't automatically close the old account.
  • If you forget your password or can't access your old email, you may need to reset your Apple ID through Apple's account recovery process before you can sign out.

Changing Your Apple ID on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Sign Out" near the bottom. You'll be asked to enter your Apple ID password to turn off Find My iPhone (or Find My iPad) — this is a security step to prevent someone else from remotely locking your device. Enter your password and tap "Turn Off."

After you sign out, go back to the top of Settings and tap "Sign In to your [Device]." Tap "Don't Have an Apple ID or Forgot It?" if you need to create a new one, or enter your new Apple ID email and password if you already have one. Follow the prompts to complete the sign-in. Your device will sync with iCloud using your new Apple ID once you're done.

If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your old Apple ID, you may be asked to verify your identity before you can sign out. You'll need access to a trusted device or phone number associated with that account. If you've lost access to your old account, you may need to go through Apple's account recovery process first.

Changing Your Apple ID on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Preferences" (on older Macs) or "System Settings" (on newer ones). Click your name or "Apple ID" in the sidebar. Scroll down and click "Sign Out." You'll see a dialog asking whether to keep or remove copies of iCloud data on your Mac — choose based on whether you want to keep local copies of your photos, documents, and other synced files.

After signing out, click "Sign In" and enter your new Apple ID email and password. You'll be walked through setting up iCloud, Find My Mac, and other services with your new account. This process is usually faster on Mac than on iPhone because you're already in the system settings.

If you use your Apple ID for other things on your Mac — like the App Store, Apple Music, or FaceTime — signing out of your main Apple ID account will sign you out of those services too. You can sign back into them individually with your new Apple ID if you want.

Changing Your Apple ID on Apple Watch

Apple Watch doesn't have its own Settings app in the traditional sense. Instead, you change your Apple ID by changing it on your paired iPhone first, then unpair and re-pair your watch. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to the "My Watch" tab, tap "General," and then tap "Reset." Choose "Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings." This removes everything from the watch.

After the reset, pair your watch again with your iPhone (which is now signed in with your new Apple ID). During the pairing process, your watch will automatically use your new Apple ID for services like Apple Pay and iCloud.

Changing Your Apple ID on Apple TV or Other Devices

On Apple TV, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > [Your Account] > Sign Out. Then go back to Users and Accounts and select "Add New User" or "Sign In" to enter your new Apple ID. On HomePod, use the Home app on your iPhone to remove the device, then set it up again and sign in with your new Apple ID during setup.

For other Apple devices like AirPods or AirTags, you don't sign into them directly — they're linked to your Apple ID through iCloud. Once you change your Apple ID on your iPhone or Mac, these devices will automatically update to use your new account within a few minutes.

Back Up Your Device Before Changing Your Apple ID

Before you sign out and switch accounts, back up your device. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now." On Mac, open System Preferences > [Your Name] > iCloud and make sure "iCloud Drive" is turned on, then open Time Machine and run a backup. These backups protect your data in case something goes wrong during the sign-out process.

If you're switching to a new Apple ID because you're giving your device to someone else, you should erase the device completely instead of just signing out. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings on iPhone, or System Preferences > Erase and Reinstall on Mac. This removes all your data and lets the new owner set up the device fresh.

What Happens to Your Old Apple ID After You Change It

Your old Apple ID remains active and can still be used to sign into Apple services. Changing your ID doesn't close or delete your old account. If you want to stop using your old Apple ID entirely, you can delete it through Apple's account management website, but this is a separate step and can't be undone — you'll lose access to anything tied to that account.

Apps you bought with your old Apple ID will remain in your App Store purchase history under that ID. You can re-download them with your old ID, but you won't be able to update them unless you sign in with the old ID. If you want to own those apps under your new ID, you'll need to purchase them again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my photos, contacts, and messages if I change my Apple ID?

No, as long as you back up first and keep your iCloud data when signing out. Your photos, contacts, calendars, and other synced data will remain on your device. They'll sync with your new Apple ID's iCloud account once you sign back in, so you won't lose anything.

Can I change my Apple ID back to my old one?

Yes. You can sign out of your new Apple ID and sign back in with your old one at any time using the same process. Your old account will still exist and work normally unless you've deleted it.

What if I don't know my old Apple ID password?

You'll need to reset it before you can sign out. Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID email, and follow the steps to reset your password. You may be asked to verify your identity using a trusted device or phone number. Once you've reset the password, you can sign out and switch to your new ID.

Do I need to change my Apple ID on every device I own?

You should change it on every device where you want to use your new Apple ID. However, devices like AirPods and AirTags will automatically update once you change your ID on your iPhone or Mac. Devices you're no longer using can be left as-is or erased if you're selling or giving them away.

Will my apps update if I change my Apple ID?

Apps you bought with your old Apple ID will stop updating automatically. To keep them updated, you can either sign in with your old ID in the App Store settings, or purchase the apps again with your new ID. Free apps will update normally with your new ID.