Changing Apple ID email address

[testcard]

Like many users, my Apple ID is also an email address. However I'm moving to a new ISP and that address will no longer be functional. I want to change the primary email address for my Apple ID to my Googlemail address so that receipts for apps and iTunes go to the new primary address.

However, when I go to edit my current primary email address, I get this:

"You’ll use your new Apple ID to sign in to services such as iTunes, the Apple Online Store, and Game Center. Please note that you might be required to verify your email address before you can start using your new Apple ID." (emphasis added)

What worries me is that the above sounds as though I'll be creating a completely new Apple ID instead of simply changing the primary email address.
Could someone confirm that changing my primary email address won't create a new Apple ID? Thanks.

 

[maflynn]

Did you go here:https://appleid.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyAppleId.woa/ and change your existing apple id or create a new one?

 

[testcard]

I haven't done/changed anything yet. I saw the ..."new Apple ID..." note and backed off!

Just for info, my Google mail address is currently my alternate email address. I'm guessing I should delete this first.

 

[Rigby]

"You’ll use your new Apple ID to sign in to services such as iTunes, the Apple Online Store, and Game Center. Please note that you might be required to verify your email address before you can start using your new Apple ID." (emphasis added)

What worries me is that the above sounds as though I'll be creating a completely new Apple ID instead of simply changing the primary email address.

Well, you ARE creating a new Apple ID, but not a new account.

Could someone confirm that changing my primary email address won't create a new Apple ID? Thanks.

This is normal. It only means that you need to use this new ID for logging in to your account in the future.

 

[testcard]

This is what I find confusing. All I want to do is give Apple an email address where I can access receipts for apps and music that I buy from my existing account. If I create a new ID then surely I'll no longer be able to update apps that I've already bought?

 

[bobr1952]

I've looked at these instructions many times--and you are right--they are confusing. My take on it is that you can change your Apple ID--and it is not the same thing as creating a new one. So when you go to edit your current Apple ID, you will change it to your Gmail email. Then you will use that email to sign in for any services--but that is not a new account--just a new ID. Once you save the changes, you will get a verification email from Apple--you verify the email--then all should be good using your new ID. I've not actually had to do this yet, but it seems a reasonably easy process.

 

[testcard]

Thanks for the input. I've spent quite a while Googling this, and there is a lack of clarity! I'm assuming that a lot of iTunes users have been in the same position - changing a primary contact email address that also happens to be the "alias" for an Apple ID, without messing up the account.

 

[Rigby]

This is what I find confusing. All I want to do is give Apple an email address where I can access receipts for apps and music that I buy from my existing account. If I create a new ID then surely I'll no longer be able to update apps that I've already bought?

You will still be able to use, download and update all your purchased content, including apps, music, movies and TV shows. Sometimes you may encounter slightly confusing prompts because files you have already downloaded have your old email embedded, but it is not really a problem (and you can redownload them if you want, which will embed the new address). Check out this thread where we recently discussed it:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1653413/

In any case, since you will soon lose the old email address, you don't really have a choice.