Why can I not merge my iCloud and iTunes accounts?

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Level 1

6 points

Why can I not merge my iCloud and iTunes accounts?

I like many other people have purchases setup in iTunes and data stored in iCloud such as photos and documents. This is a legacy problem of Apple's making. I would like to merge the two accounts safely that everything is kept together. I emphasise the word 'safely' here .

Whilst I appreciate that behind the scenes the task might be trivial this should be a simple user action just reqiring confirmation on the affected accounts nothing more. One the reasons I am happy to pay the so called 'Apple Tax' is that usually the user experience is king but sadly in this case it isn't.

I know that there are 3rd party applications that can achieve what I want but quite frankly I don't trust them not to compromise all my data in the process.

Posted on Jul 17, 2022 5:37 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Eric Root

Level 10

685,221 points

Jul 17, 2022 7:39 AM in response to bunella

You can't fully merge them, but you can switch to using one ID with minimal data loss. Use the iCloud ID because your data is tied to the ID. You can then set up Family Sharing between the IDs to keep access to your iTunes purchases.

How to switch Apple IDs on your iPhone or iPad.

What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support.

How to transfer all files from one iCloud account to another.

Family Sharing.

Family Sharing - Set up.

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Answer 2

Raicya

Level 10

210,093 points

Jul 17, 2022 7:29 AM in response to bunella

You are not talking to Apple here.

We are also users of Apple products & services like you.

Call Apple in your region see: Contact Apple for support and service

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Contact Apple Support -> Get Support (apple.com)

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Answer 3

Raicya

Level 10

210,093 points

Jul 17, 2022 6:54 AM in response to bunella

Your Apple ID is the personal account you use with all Apple products and services. It includes the email address and password you use to sign in, as well as the contact, payment, and security details that you use with Apple.

This is a legacy problem of Apple's making.

What do you mean?

I would like to merge the two accounts safely that everything is kept together.

👉 You can’t merge multiple Apple ID accounts.

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Answer 4

Eric Root

Level 10

685,221 points

Jul 17, 2022 11:58 AM in response to bunella

Family Sharing isn't a subscription and costs nothing to set up.

Apple doesn’t routinely monitor the discussions. These are mostly user to user discussions.

If you want to, you can send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem or a suggestion for change. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem/suggested change solved sooner. Pick the closest topic you can find.

Click here to send Feedback -

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Answer 5

bunella Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 17, 2022 7:13 AM in response to Raicya

Why can you not merge Apple ID accounts? It is an artificially imposed limitation so is a legacy problem of Apple's making. They are in charge of the back end so they have it in their power to improve a bad implementation.

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Answer 6

bunella Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 17, 2022 8:42 AM in response to Eric Root

I appreciate the responses but I do feel its a user unfriendly way of having to work to deal with what to me is a poor implementation.

I have not seen any reason why it is not possible to merge accounts properly other than "because we say so". Similarly, I see no reason why I as an individual have to set up family sharing with myself. Unless the conspiricists are right and this is Apple's way to get me to pay extra for a family subscription rather than an individual one. I don't believe this is the case but its not a good way to interact with your customers.

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Why can I not merge my iCloud and iTunes accounts?

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