Does my Apple ID be the same as my Apple email?

No. You can have an iCloud email address that is separate from your main AppleID. However some people use them as one and the same.

You can use a GMAIL email address as your main AppleID and an iCloud email address as something completely separate.

So what you have then, is a GMAIL email address that you get regular email from by logging into Google…an AppleID that you use to access all your Apple data (since Apple needs an email address, you used your GMAIL address as a login, of sorts), and an iCloud email address to simply use as another email account.

Except in cases such as mine where both my colleges provided lifetime email accounts. ;-) Still, point noted. It's also a good idea not to use an iCloud email. Too many people use iCloud and then their phones as their only trusted devices. Then they lose their phone and likely as not permanently lose access to their accounts and the hundreds of dollars of things they have bought with it.

You can put a secondary/backup email address in your profile, though, right? Doesn’t that act as that safety precaution?

Well aren’t you a lucky duck! Lol

Can you detail why you would prefer not to use iCloud as a primary AppleID? I’m not entirely sure that it would make a difference what email client one uses, if their device is stolen or hacked…

If you need a new account, you need a new account. It wouldn’t matter if it’s something like Gmail or iCloud. It’s still your login information that’s at risk.

I guess you’re right!

Ive just always been taught (yes I used to work at Apple) to have backups of everything…especially when it comes to online accounts. Bank accounts, profiles, etc…

But I think we need to make sure that more people do this! To your point, it could save people a lot of money and time!

I do what I can here but there's a goodly number of cases where I wonder if a person will ever be able to use their device or account again. Most people do not even open a manual, much less read it. :-( Me? I get a kick out of reading Apple legal documents. :-D

Thank you!

Totally agreed.

However, it is STRONGLY recommended that you DO NOT use a work or school email address as an AppleID, as at some point in the future, you may not have access to that email anymore and this can cause HUGE headaches when maintaining your Apple account information, when you leave that job or school. (Password resets, confirmation emails, authentication emails, etc)

Haha! I know:)

Obviously the number of points you have, speaks for itself!

Every time I’m on this forum, I’m hoping that I beat you to the punch…I’ve seen you on so many of the threads that I try to answer!

Incidentally, the third party email service does not have to be Gmail. Any service will do.

If your iCloud account is compromised, and it's your primary Apple email, you also lose your way to get emails from Apple as part of recovering it.

Yes, but how many people do that? How many people actually wash their hands? How many people look carefully before they cross the street? get my drift? ;-)

You're doing very well. Stick with it. :-)