The Ultimate Guide to Changing Your iCloud Email Address

ByJordan Brown

As a former Mac administrator and long-time Apple user, I know first-hand how deeply tied our digital lives can become to our iCloud email addresses. It‘s the gateway to all of Apple‘s services – iCloud Drive, iMessage, FaceTime, App Store purchases, iCloud backups…the list goes on.

So what happens when you need to change it? Maybe you‘re transitioning to a more professional address, maybe you‘re getting too much spam on your current one, or maybe you just want a fresh start. Whatever the reason, Apple does give you a few different ways to change your iCloud email address – and I‘m going to walk you through each one.

But first, let‘s look at some quick stats to underscore just how important iCloud and Apple ID have become:

  • There are over 1.8 billion active Apple devices worldwide as of January 2022 (Source: Apple)
  • Apple has over 825 million paid subscriptions across its services as of Q4 2022 (Source: Statista)
  • iCloud generated an estimated $20.4 billion in revenue for Apple in 2022 alone (Source: Business of Apps)

Clearly, iCloud is a big deal. So let‘s dive into how to change that all-important email address associated with it.

Option 1: Change Your Apple ID Email Address

The simplest and most direct way to change your iCloud email address is to change the email address associated with your Apple ID. This will change the email you use to log in to all Apple services, including iCloud. Here‘s how to do it:

  1. In a web browser, go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your current Apple ID and password
  2. In the Account section, click "Edit" on the right side
  3. Under your Apple ID username, click "Change Apple ID…"
  4. Enter the new email address you want to use and click "Continue"
  5. Check your email inbox for a verification code from Apple
  6. Enter the verification code on the Apple ID site and click "Verify"

That‘s it! Your Apple ID, and thus your iCloud login, is now switched over to the new email address you specified. A few important things to note:

  • Make sure you have access to the new email address before you change it. If you lose access to that email and get locked out of your Apple ID, it can be very difficult to regain access.
  • Changing your Apple ID email does not automatically change your @icloud.com, @me.com, or @mac.com email address (more on how to do that later).
  • You‘ll need to update your Apple ID login anywhere else you use it, like on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, etc.

One nice thing is that Apple will automatically forward any emails sent to your old Apple ID address over to your new one for 30 days after you make the change. So you have a bit of a grace period to update your logins and let contacts know about your new address.

Option 2: Create an iCloud Email Alias

Let‘s say you like your current Apple ID email address and don‘t want to change it, but you want a different @icloud.com email address to use publicly. In that case, you can create an iCloud email alias.

An alias is essentially an alternate iCloud email address that delivers to your primary iCloud inbox. It works just like a regular email address – you can send and receive from it, and it shows up as the "from" address when you email people from it. The key difference is that it‘s tied to your main iCloud account behind the scenes.

iCloud+ subscribers can create up to 3 aliases per account. Here‘s how to set one up:

  1. On a computer, sign in to iCloud.com with your Apple ID
  2. Click on the Mail app to open it
  3. In the bottom left corner, click the gear icon and choose "Preferences"
  4. Click the "Accounts" tab at the top of the preferences window
  5. Under your iCloud account on the left, click the "Add an alias" link
  6. Enter your desired alias address, e.g. [email protected], and click OK
  7. If the alias is available, you‘ll see a confirmation. If it‘s taken, you‘ll need to choose a different alias.

To manage your aliases, just return to the Accounts section of iCloud Mail preferences. From there you can see your aliases, label them, choose which to use as your default sending address, or delete them.

Some advantages of using an iCloud alias rather than changing your main Apple ID email:

  • Your login stays the same for your Apple ID and iCloud, you just have an additional sending/receiving address
  • You can freely delete an alias if you no longer want to use it without affecting your core Apple ID
  • Aliases are quick and easy to set up, no verification process needed
  • You can have multiple aliases for different purposes (personal, business, junk signups, etc.)

Option 3: Use an iCloud+ Custom Email Domain

For the ultimate in iCloud email customization, you can set up a completely custom email domain as an iCloud+ subscriber. So instead of [email protected] or even [email protected], you could use an address like [email protected] or [email protected]

This is a great option for small businesses, families who want to share a domain, or individuals who simply want their email address to stand out. It lends a professional and polished look to your email communications. And best of all, it‘s included at no extra charge with any paid iCloud+ plan.

The catch? You do need to already own the custom domain you want to use, and there are a few technical steps involved to connect it to iCloud. But don‘t worry, Apple guides you through the whole process. Here‘s an overview:

  1. Sign in to iCloud.com on a computer and open Mail
  2. In Mail preferences, click "Manage" next to Custom Email Domain
  3. Enter the domain name you want to use and click Continue
  4. Apple will verify that you own the domain and give you DNS records to add
  5. Log in to your domain host and add the DNS records Apple provides
  6. Return to iCloud and click "Finish Setup"
  7. Once the domain is connected, you can add up to 3 email addresses using that domain

The trickiest part is usually adding the required DNS records with your domain host, as the exact steps vary depending on the host. But Apple provides detailed instructions, and your domain registrar can help too if needed. In most cases it just involves copying and pasting a few values.

I‘ve been using a custom domain with my iCloud email for a few years, and I absolutely love it. It makes my email address memorable and professional, while still getting the benefits of iCloud‘s stellar spam filtering and easy-to-use apps. If you‘re willing to put in a small bit of upfront setup effort, it‘s a fantastic option.

Option 4: Create a New iCloud Account from Scratch

If none of the above options fit the bill and you want a completely fresh start, your final option is to create a brand new iCloud account. This will give you a clean slate – new email address, new iCloud storage, new everything.

However, it does come with some significant downsides:

  • You‘ll lose access to any purchases, subscriptions, or data stored in your old iCloud account
  • Your contacts, calendars, photos, files, and other iCloud data will not transfer over automatically
  • You‘ll need to set up your new account on all your devices and in all your apps
  • You‘ll lose your iMessage and FaceTime chat histories

Basically, it‘s like getting a new phone or computer – but applied to your entire Apple ID and associated services. It‘s a big undertaking, and really only recommended if you want a completely fresh start without carrying anything over.

If you do decide to go this route, here‘s how to create a new iCloud account:

  1. On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, sign out of iCloud completely if you‘re currently signed in
  2. Navigate to the iCloud sign in screen (in Settings on iOS, System Preferences on Mac)
  3. Tap "Create a new Apple ID"
  4. Enter your birthday and name
  5. Choose "Get a free iCloud email address" and enter your desired @icloud.com address
  6. Enter a password, verify the password, and select security questions
  7. Agree to the iCloud terms and conditions
  8. Verify your account via email

After creating the account, you‘ll be prompted to merge your data from your old account. I‘d recommend NOT doing this, otherwise you‘ll end up in virtually the same situation you started in, just with a different email address.

Comparing iCloud Email to Other Providers

We‘ve covered all the ways you can change or customize your iCloud email address itself. But what if you‘re considering switching to iCloud email from another provider entirely? Here‘s a quick comparison of how iCloud email stacks up:

Provider Storage Aliases Custom Domains Spam Filtering
iCloud 5GB free, 50GB-2TB paid Up to 3 Included with iCloud+ Excellent
Gmail 15GB free Unlimited $6/user/month Very good
Outlook.com 15GB free 10 per year Not available Good
Yahoo Mail 1TB free Up to 500 $3.19/month Fair

As you can see, iCloud holds its own in terms of features. Its spam filtering is consistently rated as one of the best, and the option for custom domains is a standout. The main downside is the relatively limited free storage compared to options like Gmail or Yahoo Mail. But if you already pay for iCloud storage, the email features are a nice bonus.

Of course, iCloud email is most seamlessly integrated with Apple‘s own devices and apps. So if you‘re heavily bought into the Apple ecosystem, it makes a lot of sense. But even if you use non-Apple devices, the iCloud Mail web app at iCloud.com is quite full-featured and easy to use.

Ultimately, which email provider you choose depends on your specific needs and preferences. But hopefully this quick comparison gives you a sense of where iCloud fits into the email landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

That covers the key ways to change or customize your iCloud email address. But there are a few other common questions that come up on this topic:

Q: Will I lose my iCloud data if I change my email address?

A: As long as you‘re just changing your email address and not creating an entirely new iCloud account, your iCloud data (contacts, calendars, photos, files, etc.) will remain safely in place. Changing your Apple ID email or adding an alias does not affect your actual iCloud storage or data.

Q: Can I change my @icloud.com email address without changing my Apple ID?

A: No, your primary @icloud.com address is permanently tied to your Apple ID. The only way to change it is to change the email address of your Apple ID entirely. However, you can add iCloud email aliases for additional @icloud.com addresses, or connect a custom domain to your iCloud account for [email protected] addresses.

Q: How can I change my iCloud email if I don‘t know my password?

A: If you‘re already signed in on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can reset your Apple ID password directly from your device. Just go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password. You‘ll be prompted to enter your device passcode, and then you can set a new password. If you‘re not signed in, you‘ll need to go through Apple‘s account recovery process online.

Q: Is it possible to merge two iCloud accounts?

A: Unfortunately, no. There is no way to merge two separate Apple IDs/iCloud accounts together. You can share certain purchases and subscriptions between accounts using Family Sharing, but the underlying accounts and data remain separate. If you want to fully consolidate, your best bet is to manually move your data from one account to the other.

Conclusion

As you can see, while you can‘t change your primary @icloud.com email address, you do have several options for customizing your iCloud email:

  1. Change your Apple ID email address
  2. Create aliases for additional @icloud.com addresses
  3. Connect a fully custom domain to your iCloud Mail
  4. Start fresh with a new iCloud account

Which method you choose depends on your specific goals and situation. Are you just looking to change where you log in? An Apple ID change may suffice. Want some additional sending addresses without giving up your core account? Go for an alias or three. Need a professional, branded email at a custom domain? iCloud+ custom domains are calling your name. Just want to burn it all down and start over? A new iCloud account will do the trick.

Whichever route you go, I hope this guide has given you the information you need to make an informed decision and get your iCloud email changed over smoothly. It may seem daunting at first, but Apple has put a lot of thought into making these processes as painless as possible.

So go forth and customize that iCloud email address to your heart‘s content! And if you have any other questions or run into any snags along the way, don‘t hesitate to reach out. I‘m always happy to help a fellow Apple user navigate the ever-evolving world of iCloud.

Cheers,
Andrew
Apple Certified Support Professional

Sources:

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