Change your Apple ID email through Settings or your web browser

You can change the email address linked to your Apple ID in two ways: through the Settings app on your device, or by signing into your Apple ID account online. The web method is faster if you're away from an Apple device. Either way, you'll need your current password and access to a recovery email address you've already set up on the account.

Apple lets you change your primary email (the one you use to sign in) or add and remove secondary email addresses. If you're changing your primary email, you'll need to verify the new address before the change takes effect. The whole process usually takes a few minutes, though Apple may ask you to wait 24 hours before using the new email to sign in on other devices.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Apple ID email through Settings on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or by visiting appleid.apple.com on any web browser.
  • Changing your primary email requires you to verify the new address by clicking a link Apple sends to it within a few minutes.
  • You must know your current Apple ID password to make any changes to your account.
  • After you change your primary email, you may need to wait up to 24 hours before you can sign in with the new address on other devices.

Change your email through Settings on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap your name at the top of the screen. Tap Password & Security, then tap Edit next to your email address. You'll see your primary email and any secondary emails you've added. Tap the email you want to change, then type the new address.

If you're changing your primary email, Apple will send a verification link to the new address. Check that email inbox (including spam) within a few minutes and click the link to confirm. Once you verify, the change is complete. If you're adding a secondary email instead, you'll follow the same verification step, but your primary email stays the same.

Change your email through Settings on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click your name at the top of the sidebar, then click Password & Security. Click Edit next to your email address and type the new one. Apple will send a verification link to the new address — click it to confirm the change.

On Mac, the process is identical to iPhone and iPad. You'll need to be signed into the Mac with your Apple ID already. If you're not sure whether you're signed in, go to System Settings and look for your name at the top of the sidebar; if it's there, you're ready to proceed.

Change your email on the web at appleid.apple.com

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your current Apple ID email and password. Click Account Settings or Edit next to your email address. You'll see your primary email and any secondary addresses. Click the one you want to change and type the new address.

Apple will send a verification link to the new email address. Open that email and click the link within a few minutes to confirm. The web method works the same way whether you're changing your primary email or adding a secondary one. If you forget your password, you can reset it on the sign-in page before you make any changes to your email.

What happens after you change your primary email

Once you verify the new email address, it becomes your primary Apple ID email immediately. You can sign into your Apple account with the new address right away on the device where you made the change. However, on other devices — like another iPhone, iPad, or Mac — you may need to wait up to 24 hours before you can sign in with the new email.

During that waiting period, continue signing in with your old email on other devices. Your old email remains linked to your account as a secondary email for recovery purposes unless you remove it. You can delete the old email from your account once you've confirmed the new one is working on all your devices, but Apple recommends keeping at least one recovery email on file.

Remove an email address from your Apple ID

If you have multiple email addresses on your account and want to remove one, go to Settings (or System Settings on Mac) and tap your name. Tap Password & Security, then tap Edit next to your email address. Find the email you want to remove and swipe left on it (iPhone or iPad) or click the minus sign next to it (Mac). Confirm the removal.

You cannot remove your primary email unless you've set up another email to replace it. Apple requires at least one email address on every account. If you're trying to remove your primary email, you'll need to change it to a different address first, following the steps above.

Troubleshooting: What to do if you don't receive the verification email

Check your spam or junk folder first — verification emails sometimes land there by mistake. If you still don't see it after a few minutes, go back to the email change screen and request a new verification link. Apple will send another one immediately. Make sure you're checking the correct inbox for the new email address you entered.

If the verification email never arrives, double-check that you typed the new email address correctly. A single typo will send the link to the wrong inbox. If you're certain the address is correct and still haven't received anything after 10 minutes, try the process again from the beginning. If the problem continues, you may need to reset your password and try again, or contact Apple Support for help with your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Apple ID email if I don't remember my password?

No, you need your current password to change your email address. If you've forgotten it, go to appleid.apple.com and click Forgot password? on the sign-in page. Apple will walk you through resetting it using your recovery email or phone number. Once you've reset your password, you can then change your email.

What if I don't have access to my recovery email anymore?

If you can't access the recovery email Apple sends the verification link to, you won't be able to complete the email change. You'll need to update your recovery email address first. Go to Password & Security in Settings and add a new recovery email that you can access, then try changing your primary email again.

Will changing my Apple ID email affect my iCloud, iTunes, or App Store accounts?

No. Your Apple ID is the same account across all Apple services. When you change your Apple ID email, it changes for iCloud, iTunes, the App Store, and every other Apple service at once. You don't need to update anything separately.

How long does it take for the new email to work on all my devices?

The change takes effect immediately on the device where you made it. On other devices, you may need to wait up to 24 hours before you can sign in with the new email address. During that time, keep using your old email to sign in on those devices.

Can I have two primary email addresses on one Apple ID?

No. You can only have one primary email address — the one you use to sign in. You can add up to three secondary email addresses to your account for recovery purposes, but only one can be primary at a time.