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How can I change my Apple ID email address from my current one to my previous Rescue email address

How can I change my Apple ID email address from my current one to my previous Rescue email address - which I have removed (after I activated the two-factor authentication) - but now it says “This email address is not available” - although this is my gmail address??


i need to use this previous rescue address as my new Apple ID please.

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 15

Posted on Aug 17, 2022 5:02 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 17, 2022 5:07 PM

Apple hasn’t published any guidance for using an address again. Normally, if your e-mail address was associated with an ID in any way, for example as a Notification email address or a Rescue e-mail address, then it can't be reused as an  Apple ID email address for approximately one year. I have also seen posts that stated Apple told them there was a 30 day waiting period before the address could be used again. You will need to get another e-mail address from somewhere like AOL or Yahoo to use as your Apple ID or you can try waiting 30 days to see if that works.


Note the restrictions in the article.


Apple ID Name Change.  * 


Make sure you turn off Find My Phone before signing out of the old ID. Once signed out and Find My Phone is off, then sign in with the new ID, then turn Find My Phone back on.


 What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support  *  I suggest doing this before you change your Apple ID or password.

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5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 17, 2022 5:07 PM in response to quintin007

Apple hasn’t published any guidance for using an address again. Normally, if your e-mail address was associated with an ID in any way, for example as a Notification email address or a Rescue e-mail address, then it can't be reused as an  Apple ID email address for approximately one year. I have also seen posts that stated Apple told them there was a 30 day waiting period before the address could be used again. You will need to get another e-mail address from somewhere like AOL or Yahoo to use as your Apple ID or you can try waiting 30 days to see if that works.


Note the restrictions in the article.


Apple ID Name Change.  * 


Make sure you turn off Find My Phone before signing out of the old ID. Once signed out and Find My Phone is off, then sign in with the new ID, then turn Find My Phone back on.


 What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support  *  I suggest doing this before you change your Apple ID or password.

Aug 17, 2022 5:29 PM in response to quintin007

You are welcome. I don't know if they can clear the address or not. Try Apple ID Support for assistance.  See the Apple Support articles below for contact information.  


Apple ID - Official Apple Support.   -


Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support.  *   (Link doesn’t always load)  


Get Support      -    Work through the screens to get a chat option. You may have to pick a slightly different problem.


Apple Support schedule phone call.   -


Apple on Twitter     


Messages chat with Apple  


From the Apple Support article below. 


Without proof of your identity via security questions and other carefully selected criteria, Apple Support can't help you reset a password or perform any other actions on your account. These policies are audited and reviewed on a regular basis.


Security and your Apple ID - Apple Support.      *

How can I change my Apple ID email address from my current one to my previous Rescue email address

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