Apple ID accounts vs iCloud accounts - Understanding the difference

If you use an Apple Device, you most likely have an Apple ID or an iCloud Account. In theory, they're one of the same, but they could be different depending on what Apple Services you use or subscribe to.

In this video I discuss the possible uses of Apple ID's and how you could potentially use two Apple ID's but ideally only use one.

My only wish would be that you could merge two Apple ID's together!

*Devices used in this tutorial:*
macOS 14 Sonoma

_Links to Websites or Referenced Videos Below:_

iCloud - What the Purpose is & How is it supposed to work!

Apple ID Support

One account for everything Apple.

If you have a video suggestion, let's chat!

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[andrewrr]

Thank you for clearing this confusion, I'm surprised you were able to gather so much information about this. I couldn't figure it out on my own. Thanks

[ismaelledesma]

These are the things I’ve wondered about for a while, thanks for this!

[harrytheone]

Joel, I have just subscribed. I find your videos and info really useful. Thanks so much. Harry

[georgee]

This video clarified some questions I had. Many thanks!

[billycullen]

Superb tuition, thank you, greetings from Scotland!

[rdbjr]

I had the same user code for my iPhone and iPad. When I purchased a new Mac and attempted to couple it to my iCloud account, the “system” got confused, because it didn’t know which devise I was using (iPhone or iPad) to complete the effort. It took two days to discover the error. Oh yes, I subscribed.

[cottagekeeper]

Thank you, do you have any suggestions on how to create an Apple ID for a business? What is the best practice?

[AlergicToSnow]

I’m in exactly the same situation you are. I was hoping this video was FINALLY a solution.

[TGill]

still don't understand??? Apple ID and iCloud
so I can sign in to my iPhone with an apple id, i don't need icloud??? so for mail can i use apple id???
l am new to this apple thing and i am still not use to this, it is very complicated

[schadlarry]

So I am using an old Qwest email for iCloud and the App Store. I see that it's easy enough to change the iCloud email to something else but would that also change the App Store ID?  It looks like a maybe because when I look at the account info on the App store it also gives the option to change the Apple ID on the same page where you would change the iCloud ID. I just don't want to cause a huge headache and have all the devices still play nice with one another.

[PatrickBijvoet]

I have 2 apple ID’s by design. That is because I have 2 accounts for myself on my Mac computers. They both have a different use. One is my main account, but the other is the private account which I use for work related things which I do at home. The second one I also use for my IPhone and Ipad.
It is sometimes a bit annoying, because I had to couple bothe agenda’s, but I don’t mind. And my ITunes on all my devices is actually on my first account, not the sevond.

Sometimes 2 different accounts are necessary. I live in Brazil. The account in Brazil does not give access to Apple News because it is not available in this region. In order to access Apple news i did create an account using a USA address and a CC issued in the USA.

[kaysha]

All these years and we still can't merge apple ids is crazy. I also have one perso and one for itunes/purchases

[bitkahuna]

i see people get into such a mess with multiple apple id's and also sharing them... it can be very challenging to untangle.

[rodneytopor]

Thanks for addressing this question of two Apple IDs. I've also had two IDs for nearly 20 years. Initially I used one for syncing data over iCloud and for app purchases, and the other for media (music, book) purchases. But recently, somehow, this distinction has disappeared. I now have some apps purchased with each ID, and some media purchased with each ID. This is making it difficult to update apps in particular, as Apple doesn't always give the opportunity to choose a different ID from the one it thinks is correct. I know you can't merge different IDs, but is there a solution based on saying both IDs are members of the same family? Or another solution?

[georgecain]

Apple savings account? Does that come under apple ID? So if a person could log into your apple ID, could they access your savings account and apple card?

[iamansarifaizan]

Hi it will be very helpfull if you just guide me how i can delete or remove primary email id associate with apple id

[TravisThomas]

I have successfully changed my Apple ID, and it’s also signed in on the App Store. But… there are a few apps on my phone that have been downloaded from a backup that used the old email address/Apple ID. And because of this, when I try to update those few apps, I am prompted to sign in to my previous email address/Apple ID. Any suggestions?? I have read I can delete each app one by one and reinstall, but that doesn’t seem very efficient.

[camtheketchupman]

Hi, so just to confirm, should each member of my family have their own apple id, but then we can share the iCloud? Or would we also have to get separate iClouds? If we do, do we have to pay for each iCloud separately? Or is it more similar to something like Netflix, where we all have our own profiles, but share the actual service? We like being able to see everyone's photos and not having to pay for things in the Appstore multiple times, but don't like handing off to other peoples devices. What would be our best course of action? Thank you in advance!

[robweaver]

All good, but I sort of “backed into” iCloud without realising its main purpose. As a result I have photos and videos on two iPads and want them on just one. What I would like to see, and you may have done it, is a procedure by which you can download the original and uncompressed videos and photos from the Cloud to an external SSD . Thanks.