Can't change my Apple ID's email address as documented.

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Level 1

32 points

Can't change my Apple ID's email address as documented.

None of what is described in this article works:

I have a third-party email address that I've used for Apple purchases for many years. 1000s of transactions and 1000s of dollars. I'm losing access to that email domain soon, so I'm trying to change this Apple ID to one of my @icloud.com addresses — without losing any of my family's media. Support told me that purchases can't be transferred across Apple IDs, which is absurd. And seriously, Apple is the only company on the planet that doesn't let you change an email address associated with your account? Even banks allow this simple operation.

And yes, I've tried a long-standing Apple ID and one that I just created, just for this purpose. But this is the error I get in both cases:

That is one massively confusing error message — something Apple really excels at.

First, and most importantly, it implies you can change to an @icloud address, despite what Apple Support kept telling me over three calls. In fact that's the default if you set up a brand new user account with a brand new iCloud address. iCloud addresses are allowed.

Second, what does "already on file in your account" mean? Already associated with this Apple ID account? Well I tried first adding it as a Reachable address and as a Recovery address. But neither of those even worked because those are supposed to be third-party addresses, I assume. And what account? This Apple ID account, or a user account on an Apple Device? One of the addresses I tried is not associated with any user account, and the one pictured above has been in use for many years as my primary Apple ID across all my devices.

And third, why is it saying I'm trying to "add" this address when the UI is clearly a change operation?

The linked Support article, and the UI on appleid.apple.com, strongly suggest that this is possible, though with some limitations that don't apply in my case. One address I tried was created within the last 30 days, but the error doesn't say anything about that. Both IDs yielded the same cryptic error.

And no, I don't want to be forced to use another third-party email address for purchases I make within the Apple ecosystem. Apple should prefer that we use iCloud addresses, right?

Any thoughts on whether these are horrible bugs and/or horrible design decisions?

iMac Pro

Posted on Feb 19, 2023 3:10 AM

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Answer 1

MichaelD

Level 1

19 points

Feb 25, 2023 4:55 PM in response to MichaelD

Follow up: After speaking with a support person, and after they've consulted with their "advanced engineers" the answer is what I feared: It cannot be done.

So there's no way to change the address attached to my Apple ID. My only option if I want to delete the current "master" ID/email address will result in me not only losing my two aliases, but also all of my purchase history, etc. etc.

This is extremely distressing. I feel I'm trapped in some kind of Apple Mobius strip.

Apple: If you're reading this thread and there's another answer to this dilemma please contact me (You have all the info!)

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Answer 2

MichaelD

Level 1

19 points

Feb 22, 2023 6:08 AM in response to Scenario

Dear Scenario (and the rest of the community):

This is EXACTLY what I’m trying to do, too. The email address that IS my Apple ID has been compromised and I’m receiving buckets of spam daily so I need to ditch that address and change it to a new one. However, I want to keep the two email alias addresses that I am now using: one for personal email and one for business email. Sounds simple? Nope.

I called Apple Support last night and the very nice person helping me could not come up with a solution so he has handed my case to an “Advanced Engineer” or something, who will call me back in a few days. A solution is not guaranteed. WTH? I’ll return here with the results.

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Can't change my Apple ID's email address as documented.

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