How to Change Apple ID Without Losing Data

Changing your Apple ID can feel like a high-stakes technical operation. You're worried about losing your app purchases, your photo library, your contacts, and all the data that makes your iPhone yours. The good news is that for 99% of people, this fear is based on a single, major misunderstanding. Let's clear that up immediately and later we will show you how to change Apple ID without losing data in 2 reliable methods.

Part 1. The "Big Misunderstanding" You Must Know

• Scenario A: Changing Your Apple ID Email
  This is what most people (and likely you) want to do. You simply want to use a new email address as your username. This is 100% safe, easy, and you will not lose anything. Your purchases, photos, and data are tied to your account, not your email address. This is the method we will focus on.

• Scenario B: Creating a Brand New Apple ID
  This is a completely different, high-risk action. This involves creating a new, separate account and abandoning your old one. If you do this, you will permanently lose all your App Store purchases, movie/music purchases, and subscriptions. This is not recommended and is only for extreme edge cases.

This guide will walk you through the safe "Scenario A" with a full safety checklist, and show you the step-by-step process.

Part 2. Before Changing Apple ID

Although the methods listed in this guide are safe, there are some necessary steps to do before that. Following these steps will help you build a crucial safety net and ensure the changing process is perfectly smooth.

1.1 Create a Full Backup

This is non-negotiable. While the correct process won't delete your data, you should never make major account changes without a fresh backup.

• On iCloud: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Check the "Last successful backup" time. If it's not recent, tap "Back Up Now" and stay on Wi-Fi until it's complete.

• On a Mac: Connect your iPhone to your Mac. Open Finder and select your iPhone in the sidebar. Under the "General" tab, select "Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac." Click "Back Up Now."

• On a PC: Connect your iPhone to your PC and open iTunes. Click the iPhone icon near the top left, select "Summary," and click "Back Up Now."

1.2 Have Your New Email Address Ready

The new email you want to use as your Apple ID account should meet the following requirements:

• It must be an email address you have full access to.
• It cannot already be associated with another Apple ID. You can't use an email that's already someone else's Apple ID or a "recovery" email on another account.
• If the email is a brand new @icloud.com address, you may have to create it during the process.

1.3 Sign Out of Other Apple Devices

To prevents conflicts, you should stay signed in on the one device you are using to make the change (like your iPhone), but sign out of your Apple ID on your other devices like Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Homepod.

Part 3. How to Change Apple ID Without Losing Data

This is the primary, official, and 100% safe method. We are just your Apple ID email. All your data and purchases will remain untouched.

Method 1: On Your iPhone or iPad

Change your Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad by following the instructions below.

Step 1: Click on [Your Name] in Settings.
Step 2: Select Sign-In & Security from the Apple ID screen.
Step 3: Tap the Edit button next to EMAIL & PHONE NUMBERS.

Step 4: Press the little - button next to your Apple ID.
Step 5: Then hit the newly appeared Delete button.
Step 6: When the "Choose Another Address" pop-up appears, choose Continue.

Step 7: You could now be asked to enter your existing Apple ID password or to confirm your identity by responding to two Security Questions.
Step 8: Enter your New Email Address and choose Continue on the next page.
Step 9: Apple will now send a verification code to your new email address. Go to your email for the verification code, then input it on the next page.

That's it. Your Apple ID has been successfully changed. Your device will update, and all your iCloud data, apps, and purchases will now be associated with that new email.

Method 2: On the Web

If you prefer to use a computer, this method is just as effective and sometimes faster.

Step 1: Open a web browser and go to the official Apple ID site: appleid.apple.com.
Step 2: Sign in with your current Apple ID (your old email) and password.
Step 3: Once logged in, click on the "Sign-In and Security" section.
Step 4: Click on "Email and Phone Numbers." Click the "-" icon next to your email.

Step 5: Enter the new email address that you want to use as your Apple ID.
Step 6: Click "Change Primary Email."

Step 7: Apple will send a verification code to your new email. Check your inbox, enter the code on the website, and click "Verify."

Part 4. How to Change Apple ID Without Password

If you forgot your Apple ID password, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker can help you change your Apple ID without password. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker enables users to unlock Apple ID, get rid of MDM restrictions, get around Screen Time passcode restrictions, and unlock screen lock passwords. It is completely compatible with iOS 26 and the newest iPhone 17 model.

Let’s see how to remove Apple ID from iPod by using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1Connect iOS Device to Computer

Run TunesKit iPhone Unlocker after connecting your iPhone to a computer. After that, choose Unlock Apple ID from the menu. Click Start when TunesKit iPhone Unlocker recognizes your iPhone.

Step 2Put iOS Device into Recovery Mode

You may go right to Step 4 if you haven't set your iPhone's Find My iPhone function to on. You will be asked to verify whether you have an iPhone screen lock installed and whether two-factor authentication is turned on.

Step 3Download Firmware Package

After receiving your confirmation, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will begin the process to download a firmware suite to unlock Apple ID using iPhone. Please make sure that all of the above information applies to the iPhone. If not, could you manually fix it?

Step 4Change Apple ID Without Losing Data

Once the downloading process is end, click the Unlock button. TunesKit will remove Apple ID from iPhones without a password. This procedure won't take too long.

Part 5. FAQs about Changing Apple ID Without Losing Data

Part 6. Conclusion

For the vast majority of users, changing an Apple ID is a safe and simple process. The key is to understand that you are just changing your username (your email), not your entire account. If you want to change your entire account without Apple ID password, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will be a good choice for you.