The basic steps to change your Apple ID

To change the Apple ID on your iPhone, you sign out of your current account in Settings, then sign in with a different Apple ID. The process takes a few minutes and does not erase your phone — but you will lose access to anything tied to your old ID, like iCloud backups, photos in iCloud, and apps you bought with that account.

Before you start, make sure you know the password for the new Apple ID you want to use. You will also need to know the password for your current Apple ID if you have two-factor authentication turned on, which most accounts do.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you want to keep your data or start fresh. If you are switching to a different Apple ID but want to keep your photos, contacts, and settings, you will sign out without erasing the phone. If you want a completely clean start, you can erase everything during the sign-out process.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Sign Out" to disconnect your current Apple ID without erasing your phone.
  • You will need the password for your current Apple ID to sign out if two-factor authentication is on, which it usually is.
  • After signing out, go back to Settings, tap "Sign In to Your iPhone," and enter your new Apple ID and password.
  • Apps and purchases tied to your old Apple ID will no longer work after you switch, but your photos, contacts, and device settings stay on the phone.
  • If you forget your old Apple ID password, use the "Forgot password?" option on the sign-in screen or visit iforgot.apple.com to reset it before signing out.

Sign out of your current Apple ID without erasing data

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the very top of the screen. Scroll all the way down and tap "Sign Out." Your phone will ask for the password to your current Apple ID — this is a security step to make sure you actually own the account. Type it in and tap "Turn Off."

Next, you will see options for what to do with your data. If you want to keep your photos, contacts, calendar events, and reminders on your phone, choose "Keep on My iPhone" for each item. If you choose "Delete," those items will be removed from your phone (though they may still exist in iCloud if you have backups). For most people, "Keep on My iPhone" is the safer choice.

After you finish, your phone is signed out. You can now sign in with your new Apple ID.

Sign in with your new Apple ID

Go back to Settings and tap "Sign In to Your iPhone" at the top of the screen. Enter the email address and password for your new Apple ID, then tap "Next." If your new account has two-factor authentication on, you will need to enter a verification code sent to a trusted device or phone number.

Your phone will ask whether you want to use iCloud with this new ID. If you say yes, it will start backing up your data to the new account's iCloud storage. You can also choose to set up Face ID or Touch ID again if you want.

Once you are signed in, your new Apple ID is now the account linked to your iPhone. Any new apps you download or purchases you make will be tied to this account.

What happens to your old apps and purchases

Apps you bought with your old Apple ID will stop working after you switch. You will see a message saying the app is no longer available when you try to open it. If you want to keep using an app, you need to buy it again with your new Apple ID, or find a free version.

Subscriptions tied to your old account — like Apple Music, Apple TV+, or app subscriptions — will also stop working. You will need to set them up again with your new ID if you want to keep them.

Photos, contacts, messages, and other data that is not tied to the App Store will stay on your phone as long as you chose "Keep on My iPhone" during sign-out. These items are separate from your Apple ID and belong to your device itself.

If you do not remember your old Apple ID password

If you need to sign out but cannot remember your password, tap "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen. You will be asked to verify your identity using your recovery email, a phone number on file, or your security questions. Apple will send you a link to reset your password.

Alternatively, go to iforgot.apple.com on any web browser and enter your Apple ID email address. Follow the steps to verify who you are and create a new password. Once you have reset it, use the new password to sign out on your iPhone.

If you cannot verify your identity through any of these methods, you may need to contact Apple Support. They can help you regain access to your account, though the process can take several days.

Erasing your iPhone and starting completely fresh

If you want to remove everything from your phone and start over with a new Apple ID, you can erase the device during the sign-out process. When you tap "Sign Out," look for an option to "Erase iPhone" or "Delete Data." This removes all apps, photos, messages, and settings from your phone.

After erasing, your phone will restart and show the setup screen, just like a brand-new device. You can then sign in with your new Apple ID and set up your phone from scratch. This is useful if you are giving your phone to someone else or if you want a completely clean start.

Be aware that erasing is permanent and cannot be undone. Make sure you have backed up anything you want to keep before you start this process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Apple ID delete my photos and contacts?

No, as long as you choose "Keep on My iPhone" when you sign out. Your photos, contacts, calendar, and reminders stay on the device itself. They are not erased just because you switch Apple IDs. However, if you had been backing them up to iCloud with your old account, you will need to set up iCloud backups again with your new ID to protect them going forward.

Can I use my old Apple ID again on this phone later?

Yes. You can sign out of your new Apple ID and sign back in with your old one at any time. Just go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap "Sign Out." Then sign in with your old Apple ID and password. Your old apps and purchases will work again once you are signed back in.

What if I have two-factor authentication and do not have access to my trusted device?

You can use your recovery key instead. When prompted to enter a verification code, look for an option to "Didn't get a code?" or "Use recovery key." Enter the 28-character recovery key you saved when you set up two-factor authentication. If you do not have your recovery key, you will need to contact Apple Support to regain access to your account.

Do I need to change my Apple ID on other devices too?

Not automatically. Your Apple ID on your iPhone is separate from your Apple ID on other devices like an iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. You can change it on your iPhone without affecting those devices. However, if you want to use the same Apple ID across all your devices, you will need to sign out and sign in on each one separately.

Will my cellular service or phone number change?

No. Your Apple ID is separate from your phone number and cellular service. Changing your Apple ID does not affect your ability to make calls, send texts, or use cellular data. Your phone number stays the same.