How to update apple id on iphone

Wondering how to switch to a different Apple ID on your iOS device? Follow this simple guide to update Apple ID on iPhone or iPad.

An Apple ID is the main account that is required to use any of Apple’s services, such as the App Store, Apple Music, the iTunes Store, as well as iCloud. The Apple ID works like your identity on your iOS and Mac devices, and tells the device who is currently using the device. If you use an iCloud account, you already have an Apple ID and don’t need to create a new Apple ID from your iOS or Mac devices.

We’ve put together this handy guide that goes through various steps of managing an Apple ID account from any iPhone, iPad, or a Mac.

How to Check Apple ID on iPhone or iPad

To check which Apple ID is currently logged in on an iPhone or iPad is very easy. Follow these simple steps to understand how to check existing Apple ID on an iPhone or iPad.

  1. Launch the Settings app.
  2. If you’re running iOS 13, tap the Apple ID Name & Photo at the top of the screen. If you’re running iOS 12 or earlier, tap on iCloud.

Here you can find all information about Apple ID currently signed in on the iOS or Mac device. Using the options listed on this screen, you can also change Apple ID or Sign Out of an Apple ID on iPhone or iPad.

How to Change Apple ID on iPhone or iPad

Signing out of your Apple ID and signing in with a new one can be done in 2 basic set of steps. This should take no more than 3-5 minutes, and you’ll be up and running with the new Apple ID right away. Here’s how:

Part I : Sign Out of Apple ID on iPhone or iPad

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
  2. If you’re running iOS 13, tap the Apple ID Name & Photo at the top of the screen. If you’re running iOS 12 or earlier, tap on iCloud.
  3. Scroll down a bit and then tap on the Sign Out link.
  4. If you use the same account for iCloud and the iTunes Store, you’ll be asked to enter your Apple ID password. If you use two different accounts, you’ll be given three options:
    1. Sign Out of iCloud and Store
    2. Sign Out of iCloud
    3. Sign Out of Store
  5. Select which data from iCloud you want to keep on the device and which data you want to delete using the toggle switches.
  6. Tap Sign Out again to remove the Apple ID from your iPhone or iPad.

Part II : Sign In with a Different Apple ID on iPhone or iPad

Now that you have managed to remove the Apple ID that was previously being used on an iPhone or iPad, let us now see how you can Sign In with a different Apple ID on the iOS device.

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap on the Sign in to your iPhone link at the top of the screen. If you see a Name or Photo here, follow the steps outlined in Part I above.
  3. Enter the Email address or Phone Number associated with the different Apple ID you want to Sign In with.
  4. Enter the password.
  5. If you already have some data on your device, such as Contacts, Calendars, Bookmarks, etc. you will be asked if you want to Merge that data with this new Apple ID you are Signing In with. Tap Merge if you want to merge data, otherwise tap on Don’t Merge.

How to Change Apple ID on iPhone or iPad

Not many people are aware of this, but it is possible to sign in and use multiple Apple IDs on an iPhone or iPad. You can log in and set up multiple Apple IDs on an iOS device from the Settings app, and use them for different purposes like contacts, email, notes, bookmarks, etc. For example, you may have a personal Apple ID that you use with the App Store and iCloud, but a different Apple ID for work purposes where you store your business or work contacts. You can set up two or more Apple IDs on an iPhone and iPad. Here’s how:

For reasons best known only to Apple, you may see a message from time to time or even frequently that says:

Update Apple ID Settings. Some account services require you to sign in again.

Macworld Editor Karen Haslam offers extensive troubleshooting for this problem, with an update in January 2022 due to a spate of people seeing the message during an outage of Apple’s iCloud servers.

However, beyond fixing the problem Apple identifies, readers ask if the message is legitimate because it resembles exactly the sort of phishing message they’ve been warned about for many years. The prompt often appears in the middle of another activity and displays a message that asks you to enter your password!

It is intentional on Apple’s part, but you can make sure what you’re seeing is a message from Apple with a few tests:

  • In iOS/iPadOS, do you see it in an app other than Safari or Mail (or another browser or email app)? Because HTML can be used to mock up the general appearance of an iOS/iPadOS dialog, I would exercise skepticism.
  • In macOS, are you seeing it outside the Notifications area? When you hide and show notifications does it re-appear?

For the highest level of confirmation, open Settings > your name > iCloud in iOS/iPadOS or System Preferences > Apple ID or click iCloud in macOS 10.15 Catalina or later. (In 10.14 Mojave or earlier, go to System Preferences > iCloud.)

You should see a line item with similar text, such as “Update Apple ID settings” or a pop-up message in any of those locations. If so, re-enter your Apple ID password.

This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by Macworld reader Nathan.

Ask Mac 911

We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to [email protected], including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered, we don’t reply to email, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.

Author: Glenn Fleishman, Senior Contributor

How to update apple id on iphone

Glenn Fleishman’s most recent books include Take Control of iOS and iPadOS Privacy and Security, Take Control of Calendar and Reminders, and Take Control of Securing Your Mac. In his spare time, he writes about printing and type history. He’s a senior contributor to Macworld, where he writes Mac 911.

Why is my Apple ID settings not updating?

Unstable internet connection can cause the process of updating Apple ID settings to get stuck. Some Apple ID information like Payment & Shipping is incomplete. You changed your Apple ID password on a device associated with another iPhone, iPad or Mac. An outdated iOS version or your iOS system contains some bugs.

How do I reset my Apple ID on my iPhone?

Here's how to reset your Apple ID password and regain access to your account..
Go to Settings..
Tap your name > Password & Security > Change Password..
Follow the onscreen instructions to reset your password..

Can I change my Apple ID without losing everything?

It is possible to change Apple ID, without losing Data, Photos, Apps & Subscriptions. You can find below the steps to Change Apple ID on iPhone or iPad.

Why do I have to update Apple ID settings?

The possible reasons for this could be: You changed your Apple ID password or made some modifications to the Apple ID credentials. Some Apple ID information is incomplete or not updated. You changed the device password of the current iPhone or another iPhone, iPad, or Mac linked to your Apple ID.