How to Create and Update an Apple ID

An Apple ID is a single account that links all of your Apple services together. Your iPhone, iCloud, iMessage, Apple Pay, App Store purchases, Apple Music, and more all exist under this one login. You don’t need an Apple ID to use Apple products, but having one allows you to get the most from your devices.

Most people create an Apple ID when they first purchase an Apple product, like an iPhone or Mac computer.  Still, some folks decide to skip that step, choosing instead to use the device without linking it to their other Apple products. That’s fine, but it’s not optimal: an Apple ID makes it easy to organize your multiple devices, services, and payments.

If you’re just now deciding to register an Apple ID or are looking to create an additional one for a family member or a business entity, the process is a rather simple one. In this guide, we’ll show you how in just a few quick and easy steps.

How to create an Apple ID

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The easiest way to create an Apple ID is to do it when you set up your device for the first time. Here’s how to do that:

1. Early on in the activation process, your device will ask for your Apple ID. Select Forgot password or don’t have an Apple ID?



2. Select Create a Free Apple ID.
3. Choose your birth date and enter your first and last name.
4. Select Next.
5. You’ll then be prompted to verify your email address, create a password, set your region, and set up two-factor authentication. Though Apple gives you the option to skip this step, we don’t recommend it: establishing these secure measures is important, and we think it’s best to do it as soon as possible.

Create a new Apple ID after activation

If you decide to hold off on creating your Apple ID when you set up your device, or you’re looking to create an additional account, you can do it after activating your device. Here’s how:

1.  Open a new web browser.
2. Go to https://appleid.apple.com



3. Tap the dropdown menu (V) to the right of the page.



4. Tap Create your Apple ID.
5. Complete the fields for your name, birthdate, region, password and phone number. Be sure to use a reliable email address, as this will be your Apple ID username.
6. Tap Continue.
7. Enter your preferred payment method and your billing information. You can skip this if you don’t plan on purchasing anything (or just prefer to deal with the details at a later date) by selecting “None.”
8. If you don’t want to receive Apple Updates about the latest news and products from Apple, be sure to uncheck those boxes.
9. Check your email for a verification message. Once you’ve received it and verified your account, you can log in with your new Apple ID.

How to update or change an Apple ID

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If you’ve changed email addresses since creating your Apple ID, you might want to change your Apple ID, too. Luckily, Apple makes updating your ID rather simple. Just follow these basic steps:

Change Apple ID email on iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro

1. Open Settings.



2. Tap your Apple ID account at the top of the page.
3. Tap Sign-In & Security.
4. Tap the Edit at the top right of the page, next to Email & Phone Numbers.
5. Tap Add Email or Phone Number.
6. Tap Add an Email Address.
7. Enter the desired email address.
8. Check the inbox for that account and follow the steps to verify that new email address.
9. Return to Sign-In & Security.
10. Remove the undesired email address by tapping the red delete icon (-) to the left of the address.

Congrats! You’ve now successfully updated your Apple ID email.

Change Apple ID email online

1. Go to https://appleid.apple.com.
2. Click Sign In in the top right-hand corner of the page.
3. Enter the email address or phone number associated with the account. Click the right-facing arrow (→).
4. Click Continue with Password.
5. Enter your password and click the right-facing arrow (→).
6. If you’ve previously set up two-factor authentication, you’ll be prompted to enter a verification code. Once you do that, you’ll be brought to your main Apple ID account page.
7. Select Sign-In and Security from the menu on the left side of the page.
8. Select Email & Phone Numbers.
9. Click the (+) to the right of 1 email address.
10. Type your desired email address in the field, then click Continue.
11. You’ll receive a verification message for your new account. Follow the steps to verify that new email address.
12. Return to Email & Phone Numbers.
13. Click the (-) to the right of the email address you want to remove from your Apple ID.

Good work! You just changed your Apple ID email.