Apple ID: How to create and manage the profile that grants access to your account across devices

Apple IDs are the company’s way of using a single profile so that you can access your account across all of Apple’s devices.

They’re also necessary if you want to use the App Store on any Apple device, regardless of whether you’re buying something or downloading a free app.

So if you are simply looking to download a communication app on your iPhone, like Microsoft Teams or Gmail, or want to stream music or podcasts from your iPhone, you need an Apple ID.

Whether you’re looking to find, create, or change an Apple ID, our guide has got you covered.

How do I find my Apple ID and password?

The email address that you input when creating your Apple ID becomes your Apple ID.

Most of us have multiple email addresses to our name and sometimes can’t remember which is associated with which account. Give the below a try, and if all else fails, you can contact Apple Support and speak with a human who can assist you further.

If you don’t remember the associated email address

If your iPhone or iPad happens to still be signed into your Apple ID, you can still learn the email address associated.

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap on your name. Your email address will be at the top, just under your name.

If this is a Mac, you can learn the Apple ID by:

1. Click on the Apple icon in the top left of your screen.

2. Select System Settings.

3. Click on your name at the top. Your email address will be at the top of the window, just under your name.

If neither of the above worked, but you have a suspicion at what email address might be and still have access to those email accounts, look through them for any emails from Apple. If you find any, that could give you a clue and then lead you to password recovery (more on that in the below section).

If your device is not logged in, you can try the “forgot password” trick as a last resort.

1. Go to appleid.apple.com

2. Click Sign In.

3. Click Forgot your password?

4. Take a stab at guessing your most commonly used email addresses that you think might be associated.

If you remember your email address but not your password

1. Go to appleid.apple.com

2. Click Sign In.

3. Click Forgot your password?

4. Input your associated email address and fill out the captcha. Answer any remaining questions, and Apple will guide you through the recovery process.

How to create an Apple ID on an iPhone

You can create an Apple ID on your iPhone or Mac through the App Store or in a browser on a PC or other devices.

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.

2. Tap on the circular silhouette (or your profile image) in the top-right corner of the screen.

3. Tap Create New Apple ID.

4. Enter an email address and password you want to pair with your new Apple ID. In the Verify field, type the password again. Then tap Next.

5. Select your country of origin and agree to the terms and conditions by tapping the switch.

6. Tap Next in the top-right corner of the page.

7. Fill out the other pieces of personal information that it requests.

8. Enter your credit card and billing information.

9. Using the supplied prompts, confirm your phone number and email address.

10. Click Continue and your Apple ID has been created.

How to create an Apple ID on a Mac

1. Open the App Store on your Mac.

2. Click the Sign In button in the bottom left of the window.

3. Click Create Apple ID.

4. Fill in the email, password, and country fields, and agree to the terms and conditions. Select Continue.

5. Enter your credit card and billing information. You can select None for your credit card to avoid giving that information, but you won’t be able to make any paid purchases using your Apple ID without payment information. A billing address is mandatory to download any apps.

6. Click Continue and confirm your phone number. You can do this by having Apple text or call you with a short numeric code that you enter in the text box on the screen. This is to verify that they have the right number for you.

7. Click Next.

8. Complete the same process as you did for confirming your phone, only this time with your email address. After your email has been verified, you can now sign in with your new Apple ID.

9. Sign in with your new Apple ID in the pop-up that appears. If it does not appear, click the Sign In button in the bottom left of the window and log in.

How to change an Apple ID address through your browser

If you ever need to change your Apple ID, it can be done by going to appleid.apple.com. This is imperative to do should you cease using your Apple ID’s email address.

1. Log into your Apple ID and select Email & Phone Numbers.

2. Click the minus button beside your Apple ID.

3. In the pop-up, enter the email address you wish to use and click Change Apple ID. A verification code will be sent to that address and then you’re done.

How to change an Apple ID on an iPhone or iPad

You should always change your Apple ID if you stop using the email account associated with it. Make sure to log out of all other Apple products and services that use the old ID.

Once you’ve changed your Apple ID, you must log back in on all your devices using your new ID.

1. Open the Settings App.

2. Select your name at the top of the page and then Sign-In & Security.

3. Tap Edit and then the red minus button beside the field marked Apple ID.

4. Tap the red Delete button.

5. Select Choose Another Email, input your new Apple ID email that you want to set and confirm it with the verification code sent to your new email’s inbox.

You can also use Apple’s iForgot site to reset your Apple ID online using your mobile phone number.

Laura McCamy contributed to this report.