Mix and match
Resolve headaches caused by multiple Apple IDs
Your devices may be signed in to iCloud using different Apple IDs
In the previous section, we discussed how your Apple ID can be used for multiple services, such as the iTunes and App Stores. In fact, you can end up using different Apple IDs with different services – for instance, you may have one Apple ID for iTunes purchases and another signed in to iCloud. Although ideally you should have one Apple ID, multiple IDs aren’t necessarily an issue provided you’re able to remember the details to sign in to all of them (refer to the previous section if you can’t). However, there are times when you may need to consolidate data from multiple Apple IDs. Children going away to university, for instance, might want to set up their own Apple ID but would still like access to your past purchases from the iTunes Store. Similarly you might be experiencing the annoyance of apps repeatedly requesting the password for an old Apple ID in order to update.
If you suspect you might have more than one Apple ID, first sign in at appleid. apple.com using the Apple ID you want to use day to day. Note down your primary email address and any other email addresses or contact numbers linked to your account.
Tunes and apps
Go to > App Store. In the app’s Store menu, make sure you’re signed in with the correct Apple ID (listed next to View My Account). If not, choose Sign Out and then sign in to the correct one.
If you previously installed apps using a different Apple ID, you’ll need to enter the password for that old ID in order to update them. For free apps, open the Applications folder and move the program to the Trash. You can then redownload the app using your preferred Apple ID. For paid apps, sadly there’s no way to transfer purchases from one Apple ID to another. You can however delete the app if you no longer use it, so you won’t be troubled by requests for your old Apple ID’s password.
If the system is demanding a password for a different Apple ID to run updates to macOS itself, that’s because the operating system itself was obtained from the store using that ID. You’ll need to redownload Sierra again from the App Store using your new ID and reinstall to fix this. Follow the steps at apple.co/2q6PYmb.
To make sure iTunes is using the
correct Apple ID, open the app and click its Account menu. You can use an item in this menu to sign out if you want, but any DRM-protected content, such as films and TV shows, purchased using the ID you signed out of won’t be playable. You also won’t be able to redownload any past purchases. Any music previously purchased and downloaded from the iTunes Store will still be playable if you sign in with a new Apple ID, but if your old Apple ID was linked to an Apple Music subscription and your new one isn’t, you won’t be able to stream music that way.
If you try to sign in to iTunes with a new Apple ID, Apple associates the device on which you do so with your Apple ID. You can’t then associate that device with another Apple ID for 90 days. Refer to apple.co/2qLPH4z for more about associated devices.
See our section on Family Sharing as a potential workaround for this, and for linking previously purchased content with your new Apple ID.
A silver lining
Using iCloud is a great way to keep data such as calendars and contacts in sync across your devices. One of the most common reasons that data doesn’t synchronise correctly is because devices are signed in to iCloud using different Apple IDs.
Open System Preferences’ iCloud pane on any Macs you use and check the email address above Account Details to make sure it shows the correct Apple ID. You can do the same on any iOS device by tapping your name at the top of Settings in iOS 10.3 or later, or in Settings > iCloud on older versions.
If the Apple ID isn’t correct, click Sign Out. You’ll be asked if you want to keep the associated iCloud account’s data on your Mac. Allow this in order to retain data such as contacts, notes, and reminders. Once signed out, you can then sign in with your new Apple ID and sync the same data to its associated iCloud account. This may lead to some duplication of data, depending on how long you’ve been using the two IDs.
If you’re not sure what you’re doing or suspect you may have another Apple ID you don’t know about, contact Apple via the getsupport.apple.com site and arrange a callback.