'Apple ID' Renamed to 'Apple Account' Across iOS 18 and Other Updates

Earlier this year, we reported that "Apple ID" would be renamed to "Apple Account," and this change has now been officially announced.

iOS 18 Apple Account Name Feature 2
Apple confirmed the change in a press release today, with "Apple Account" branding now used across iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and watchOS 11:

With the releases of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and watchOS 11, Apple ID is renamed to Apple Account for a consistent sign-in experience across Apple services and devices, and relies on a user's existing credentials.

There are still some places where Apple ID branding remains for now, such as the Apple ID sign-in page on the web. The transition to "Apple Account" will likely be completed by time iOS 18 and the other software updates are publicly released later this year.

"Apple Account" is certainly a more straightforward name, but "Apple ID" had been used for over two decades and had a lot of sentimental value.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

tothemoonsands Avatar
14 months ago

Any hope for being able to merge Apple IDs?
PLEASE APPLE WE BEG YOU.

It’s crazy how they punish legacy users in this way. For those who don’t know, there was a time when they forced separate accounts for iCloud and iTunes, thus creating this mess where they have to allow for separate logins to this day.

It’s simply not easy to reconcile because all iTunes purchases are on one account, and all iCloud data is on another. It would be an utter pain to do it manually, not to mention you’d effectively give up your current iCloud email address. Basically, it’s not possible without Apple creating a merge tool.
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rockstarjoe Avatar
14 months ago
Any hope for being able to merge Apple IDs?
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RealJerzy Avatar
14 months ago
I liked Apple ID more. It felt more unique and personal.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jwdsail Avatar
14 months ago
Seems like change for the sake of change .. (it's worked perfectly fine for two decades) but.. ok?

I guess someone had extra time after wrapping up an important emoji project..
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jent Avatar
14 months ago
Anyone else in the same boat as me? I have an iCloud account for syncing iCloud content, and a separate Apple ID (well, soon Apple Account) for App Store purchases and non-iCloud stuff. And it's so old that it's still a username and not an email address.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
14 months ago
Finally some accountability!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)