Can I remove an email address from my Apple ID and use it to create a new Apple ID?

Question

Can I remove an email address from my Apple ID and use it to create a new Apple ID?

I've unlinked the email I want to use in the new account but the sign up page says the email address is not available.

Do I have to wait a given period of time before it is available?

FYI I know this sounds like a strange thing to be doing but I want to create a fresh Apple ID with no associated @icloud.com and @me.com email address and I've been told creating a new account is the only way.

Mac mini

Posted on Apr 15, 2025 08:18 AM

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Answer 1

Phil0124

Level 10

214,321 points

Apr 15, 2025 08:25 AM in response to jonathan_alban

You need to wait before an email address previously associated with an Apple ID can be used to create a new Apple ID. There is no predetermined waiting period though. some say a few months other's say over a year.

Yes, you need to create a new Apple ID if you no longer want any me or Mac addresses linked to it, but Apple IDs will always have an @iCloud.com email address linked to them. That is the way Apple IDs work.

Why do you need to create a new Apple ID?

Why don't you want your @Mac.com and @me.com addresses anymore?

There's nothing wrong about having Mac.com and me.com aliases. They are part of your account and have no inherent insecurities or causes for concern.

All your downloads and purchases are tied to the Apple ID that made them, and it's quite complex to transfer them to another one.

If you really need a new Apple ID, you will need to create a new email address for it. You can create free email addresses at outlook.com, yahoo.com and many others.

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Answer 2

Apr 15, 2025 09:03 AM in response to Phil0124

Thanks

The main reason for not wanting the @icloud.com & @me.com addresses linked to my account is they have a name I no longer want to be associated with. Most people would say just add the email address you do want and mark it as the accounts primary email address but despite doing this I still see the @icloud.com email address displayed throughout iOS and MacOS.

For example:

Tap into Apple Account on iOS settings and I see my primary email address displayed

Tap into Family on iOS settings and then when I tap Organizer (Me) I see the @icloud.com address displayed

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Answer 3

Phil0124

Level 10

214,321 points

Apr 15, 2025 09:38 AM in response to jonathan_alban

In that case, yes, you will need an entirely new Apple ID, which will have non of your previos purchases, downloads or data either.

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Can I remove an email address from my Apple ID and use it to create a new Apple ID?

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