Change Apple ID in App Store on iPhone

Changing the Apple ID used by the App Store on your iPhone lets you switch between personal and work accounts, buy apps with a different payment method, or fix an account that is locked or having issues. You can do this without deleting apps or losing your data. Before you start, make sure you know the email address and password for the Apple ID you want to switch to, and that you have your iPhone’s passcode or Face ID/Touch ID available for security prompts.

What You’ll Need

The email address and password for the new Apple ID
Your iPhone’s passcode or Face ID/Touch ID enabled
A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)
If two-factor authentication is on for the new account, access to that trusted device or phone number

Step-by-Step

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. It’s the gray gear icon on your home screen.
Tap your name at the very top of the Settings screen. This opens your Apple ID account page.
Scroll down and tap “Media & Purchases.” This option is usually below your name, email, and iCloud settings. You may need to enter your iPhone passcode or use Face ID to continue.
Tap “Sign Out” in the pop-up menu. A confirmation sheet will appear asking if you want to sign out of Media & Purchases. Confirm by tapping “Sign Out” again.
Go back to the main Settings screen by tapping the back arrow in the top-left corner, then tap your name again.
Tap “Media & Purchases” again. This time it will show “Not Signed In” or similar.
Tap “Sign In.” You’ll see a prompt asking if you want to sign in with your Apple ID or a different Apple ID.
Enter the new Apple ID email and password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you’ll be asked to enter the verification code sent to your trusted device or phone number.
Wait for the verification to complete. Your iPhone will check the account and may ask you to review your payment method or agree to terms. Tap “Next” or “Agree” as needed.
Open the App Store to confirm the change. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner; you should see the new Apple ID email at the bottom of the account page.

Common Mistakes

Signing out of the entire Apple ID instead of just Media & Purchases. This removes iCloud data, photos, and other synced content from the phone. Always use the “Media & Purchases” path described above.
Forgetting that subscriptions and purchased apps are tied to the old account. Apps you bought with the old Apple ID will still work, but updates may require you to sign back in with that account. Subscriptions like Apple Music or iCloud+ follow the Apple ID they were started with.
Entering the wrong password multiple times. This can trigger a security lockout. Double-check the email and password before submitting.
Not checking for pending downloads or updates. If an app update is in progress, you may need to pause or cancel it before signing out.
Choosing “Sign In” on the wrong screen. Make sure you are on the Media & Purchases screen, not the main Apple ID page, or you’ll change the wrong account.

Tips

If you switch accounts often, consider using Family Sharing instead. It lets you share purchases between two Apple IDs without logging out and back in.
Write down which Apple ID you use for purchases. Many people have one for iCloud and another for the App Store, and it’s easy to mix them up.
After switching, open the App Store and download a free app to verify the new account works for purchases.
If you’re switching to a work or school account, check with your organization’s IT department first—some managed Apple IDs have restrictions on app purchases.
Your downloaded apps and their data stay on the phone. You don’t lose anything by switching accounts.

Troubleshooting

If the sign-out or sign-in doesn’t go smoothly, try these fixes in order:

Restart your iPhone. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds, then power back on.
Check your internet connection. Open Safari and load any page. If it fails, toggle Airplane Mode on and off, or reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Make sure your date and time are correct. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and enable “Set Automatically.” Incorrect time can break authentication.
If you get a “Cannot Connect” error, wait 10–15 minutes and try again. Apple’s servers occasionally have brief outages.
If the new Apple ID won’t accept your password, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device to reset it. Do not keep guessing on the phone.
If you see “This Apple ID has not been used in the App Store yet,” tap “Review” and follow the prompts to accept the terms and confirm your payment method. This is normal for a first-time App Store sign-in.
If the old account keeps appearing, go to Settings > Media & Purchases > Sign Out, then restart your phone before signing in with the new account.
If none of these work, contact Apple Support through the Support app on your iPhone or at support.apple.com. Have your account details ready but never share your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my apps if I change the App Store Apple ID?

No. Apps already installed stay on your phone and work normally. However, updates for apps purchased with the old account may ask you to sign in with that account again. You can update them by entering the old password when prompted.

Can I use different Apple IDs for iCloud and the App Store?

Yes. The “Media & Purchases” account is separate from your main iCloud account. Many people keep iCloud on one ID and use another for App Store purchases. This is exactly what the steps above achieve.

What happens to my subscriptions like Apple Music or iCloud+?

Subscriptions are tied to the Apple ID that started them. If you switch the App Store account, those subscriptions continue under the old account. You won’t lose them, but you may need to switch back to manage them.

Do I need to sign out of the App Store on all my devices?

No. Changing the App Store account on one iPhone only affects that device. Other iPhones, iPads, or Macs keep their current App Store account until you change them individually.

Why does it ask for my iPhone passcode when I tap Media & Purchases?

This is a security feature. Apple requires your device passcode or Face ID to confirm you’re the phone’s owner before allowing account changes. It prevents someone else from switching accounts on your device.

Can I switch back to my original Apple ID later?

Yes. Follow the same steps again, but enter your original Apple ID email and password. Your previous purchases and settings will be available again once you sign back in.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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