Everything's changing. Well, mostly the names. If you’ve been looking for your "Apple ID" lately and felt like you were losing your mind, don't worry—you aren't. In late 2024, Apple officially ditched the twenty-year-old "Apple ID" branding in favor of the much more boring, yet functional, Apple Account.
It's basically the same thing. You still use it to buy apps, sync your photos, and track your lost MacBook. But knowing how to update your Apple account in 2026 is a little different than it was back in the day, mostly because of new security layers like Stolen Device Protection.
If you just got a new email address or moved houses, keeping this info current isn't just a "neat to-do" task. It’s the only thing standing between you and getting locked out of your digital life. Trust me, recovering an Apple Account without updated info is a special kind of hell.
The fast way to change your email or phone number
Most people want to update their primary login. Maybe you finally ditched that embarrassing email from high school.
On your iPhone or iPad, it’s tucked away. Go to Settings, then tap your name right at the top. From there, hit Sign-In & Security. You’ll see your email and phone numbers listed there. Hit the Edit button.
Here is the kicker: you can't just delete your primary email and leave it blank. You have to add the new one first. Tap Add Email or Phone Number. Once you verify the new one with the code they text or email you, then you can go back and delete the old one.
One weird quirk? If you use an @icloud.com email as your primary, Apple can be a bit finicky about letting you change it to a third-party one like Gmail. Usually, you can only change an iCloud email to another iCloud alias you've already created.
Doing it from a Mac
If you’re on a laptop, it's a similar vibe but different menus.
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- Click the Apple menu ().
- Hit System Settings.
- Click your name.
- Go to Sign-In & Security.
It’s actually a bit smoother on macOS because you can see everything on one screen without as much scrolling.
Updating your payment and billing address
This is where people usually get stuck. You get a new credit card, try to update the expiration date, and Apple gives you an error.
Honestly, the "Edit" button for credit cards is famously glitchy. If it won't let you change the CVV or the date, the secret "pro tip" is to add the new card as a secondary payment method first. Once the second card is verified, set it as the primary. Then—and only then—delete the old one.
Apple hates it when you have an active subscription (like iCloud+ or Apple TV+) and try to delete your only payment method. It won't let you. It’s like trying to jump out of a plane without checking if you have a parachute. Add the new card first.
Why you need to check your "Trusted Phone Numbers"
This is the part nobody talks about until they lose their phone in a lake.
Your Apple Account relies on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). If you get a new phone number and forget to update it in your account, and then you lose your iPhone... you are in trouble. You won't be able to get the verification code to sign in to a new device.
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Go to Sign-In & Security and look at Two-Factor Authentication. Make sure there’s a second number there—maybe a spouse, a parent, or even your office landline. Just someone you trust who can tell you a six-digit code if you're stranded.
Security stuff: Stolen Device Protection
In the last year or so, Apple got really serious about people stealing iPhones and changing passwords.
If you have Stolen Device Protection turned on (which you should), you might notice a "Security Delay" when trying to update your password or account settings while you're away from home. Basically, if you aren't at a "Familiar Location," Apple makes you wait an hour before you can change high-security info.
It’s annoying when you’re in a rush at a coffee shop, but it stops a thief from wiping your account in thirty seconds. If you're trying to update your account and it says you have to wait 60 minutes, just let the timer run. Don't keep restarting the process.
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What happens if you use the web?
Sometimes you don't have your phone handy. You can go to account.apple.com.
The web interface is actually pretty clean now. It’s partitioned into sections like "Sign-In and Security," "Personal Information," and "Payment Methods."
One thing to watch out for: the website might try to push a verification prompt to your iPhone. If your iPhone is the thing that's broken/lost, look for the tiny link that says "Didn't get a code?" It usually offers to text your trusted phone number instead.
Common headaches and how to fix them
- The "Email Not Available" error: This usually means you used that email for a different Apple Account years ago and forgot about it. You’ll have to log into that old account and change its email to something else to "free up" the address.
- Grayed out settings: If you can't click on your name in Settings, check Screen Time. Sometimes "Account Changes" are restricted under Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Verification email not arriving: Check your junk folder, obviously. But also, if you're using a work email, their firewall might be blocking Apple's automated pings.
Summary of next steps
Don't just read this and close the tab. If you haven't looked at your account settings in over a year, do these three things right now:
- Verify your Trusted Phone Number: Make sure it's not an old number you gave up in 2022.
- Add a Recovery Contact: This is a newer feature. You can designate a friend who can help you get back into your account if you forget your password. They don't get access to your data; they just get a code to give to you.
- Check your Subscriptions: While you're in the Apple Account menu, tap Subscriptions. You’d be surprised how many $4.99/month apps you're still paying for that you haven't opened since the pandemic.
Keeping your Apple Account updated is basically digital hygiene. It’s boring until it’s the most important thing in your world. Take five minutes and make sure your info is current so you don't have to deal with a locked account later.