Apple ID rebrand to 'Apple Account' expected in iOS 18 & macOS 15

AppleInsider

Apple's potential rebrand of Apple ID to "Apple Account" has seemingly been corroborated, with the change allegedly arriving later in 2024 alongside the macOS 15 and iOS 18 releases.

Apple ID sign-in page

The Apple ID is the term used for the accounts on Apple's various online services, but rumors have previously hinted at it becoming the simpler "Apple Account" instead. On Sunday, a report has said the same thing, making the change seem a lot more likely to actually happen.

Writing in the "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman writes that the name Apple Account will replace Apple ID in software and on Apple websites in late 2024 at the earliest. The change will probably coincide with the launch of Apple's next operating system generation, including iOS 18 and macOS 15.

An "Apple Account" team already exists within Apple, Gurman adds, ahead of the rebranding effort, which could phase out Apple ID within a year. WWDC could be the first time Apple officially announces the change, giving developers time to adapt their apps to use the new language before the fall releases.

Though there is no official reason for the rebranding, it is likely that Apple is doing it so users can more easily understand what it is by name alone. While seemingly minor, it would be a change that impacts a name Apple has used for over 20 years.

The existence of two sets of reporting on the change makes the prospect of a rebrand quite likely. However, there's no guarantee that Apple will actually pull the trigger and make the change until it's actually implemented.

Rumor Score: Possible

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victormortimer

It won't help.

Users have no idea what you're talking about when you say Apple ID, they don't know that it's an email address, they don't know that it's the same thing they use for iCloud, they're confused as to what iCloud is, and they definitely don't know how to remove devices they're selling/giving away from it.

I don't know what the fix is, but a simple rename isn't going to help.

sidrictheviking

VictorMortimer said:

It won't help.

Users have no idea what you're talking about when you say Apple ID, they don't know that it's an email address, they don't know that it's the same thing they use for iCloud, they're confused as to what iCloud is, and they definitely don't know how to remove devices they're selling/giving away from it.

I don't know what the fix is, but a simple rename isn't going to help.

I’ve dealt with many family members and friends who confuse their Apple ID with their password. This might help some of them, don’t you think? 

paisleydisco

LOL name change isn't going to make people smarter. My friends and family prove me right. 

They'll still be confused about the 'apple account' -- nothing can save these types. They can't understand the Apple ID/account from their typical email. They don't understand the Appe ID has a password that is not the password for their Apple ID email name. Etc. You say Apple ID and they start typing their passwords or say they don't know their password. LOL clown show 

The only way to correct this would be everyone using an 'Apple Account' would be using an actual Apple email eg icloud.com and no other email. But that's not happening.

paisleydisco

sidrictheviking said:

VictorMortimer said:

It won't help.

Users have no idea what you're talking about when you say Apple ID, they don't know that it's an email address, they don't know that it's the same thing they use for iCloud, they're confused as to what iCloud is, and they definitely don't know how to remove devices they're selling/giving away from it.

I don't know what the fix is, but a simple rename isn't going to help.

I’ve dealt with many family members and friends who confuse their Apple ID with their password. This might help some of them, don’t you think? 

So you're family members and friends will now NOT be confused?? I highly doubt it. You say 'Apple Account' they will 100% confuse it with the password. 

dewme

sidrictheviking said:

VictorMortimer said:

It won't help.

Users have no idea what you're talking about when you say Apple ID, they don't know that it's an email address, they don't know that it's the same thing they use for iCloud, they're confused as to what iCloud is, and they definitely don't know how to remove devices they're selling/giving away from it.

I don't know what the fix is, but a simple rename isn't going to help.

I’ve dealt with many family members and friends who confuse their Apple ID with their password. This might help some of them, don’t you think? 

I agree. My partner and other Mac users I know sometimes get tripped up by the login-vs-Apple ID credentials, especially when prompted for permission by macOS to perform a particular task. Yes, the prompt clearly states which credential it expects, but many users are still in a mindset that only one password should ever be needed. However, on multi-user systems like macOS, I don't see a clear path to having one set of credentials for everything. The user credentials have to be enforced at a higher level than Apple Account/Apple ID credentials to allow computer users to login to different user accounts with different permission levels. 

Microsoft Windows 11 is essentially uses a single set of credentials for both the user account and the Microsoft Account. This is more confusing to me because the logged in user has to be mindful of the differences in permissions for performing certain operations. They have things like having to specify "Run as Administrator..." for individual applications an services. The only benefit the Windows 11 model is that you can log in to a user session using aliases to user login credentials like a PIN or biometrics. I suppose Apple could allow PIN, Face ID, and Touch ID to be associated with user accounts on macOS. iOS and iPadOS have no concept of user accounts.

Unless Apple jumps through a few hoops to streamline certain workflows, changing Apple ID to Apple Account is simply a renaming exercise. Perhaps they can make the prompts and dialogs that ask for credentials a little more clear for less computer savvy users?

jasonfj

And someone’s getting paid the big bucks for this. 

citpeks

Don't have much concern over a rebranding, or what Apple's online services are called, whether AppleLink PE, iTools, MobileMe, or iCloud.

But if such a rebranding portends other changes to the terms, especially with Services becoming a bigger revenue generator for Apple's business, then that would be a concern.

In a fantasy world, being more generous with the free space allocation would be nice, especially so users with multiple Apple products don't have to try to cram all their data into 5GB without ponying up for more, but it hasn't happened for a long time, and probably will never happen.  Even MS dropped their free space allocation to match Apple's.

Intertwining like MS does with Windows and MS accounts would be a definite step in the wrong direction.

Yes, it's possible to jump through some hoops and bypass that, but if Apple starts making Mac OS nag users to set up, or sign into Apple Accounts just to use the computer, it would just be another brick in the wall that makes Big Apple look more like Big MS looked back in the 90s. 

jas99

I think this is a very good move because, quite simply, it’s a more descriptive name. 

It will be clear that
1) you have an Apple Account and
2) your account has a distinct set of login credentials. 

What’s not to love?

So much needless confusion about such a clearly better name. 

gilly33

paisleydisco said:

LOL name change isn't going to make people smarter. My friends and family prove me right. 

They'll still be confused about the 'apple account' -- nothing can save these types. They can't understand the Apple ID/account from their typical email. They don't understand the Appe ID has a password that is not the password for their Apple ID email name. Etc. You say Apple ID and they start typing their passwords or say they don't know their password. LOL clown show 

The only way to correct this would be everyone using an 'Apple Account' would be using an actual Apple email eg icloud.com and no other email. But that's not happening.

I have to agree with you 100%. If you don’t understand what Apple ID means a ‘simpler’ Apple Account ain’ gonna help you. Honestly, never knew this was a problem for some people. 

gilly33

paisleydisco said:

LOL name change isn't going to make people smarter. My friends and family prove me right. 

They'll still be confused about the 'apple account' -- nothing can save these types. They can't understand the Apple ID/account from their typical email. They don't understand the Appe ID has a password that is not the password for their Apple ID email name. Etc. You say Apple ID and they start typing their passwords or say they don't know their password. LOL clown show 

The only way to correct this would be everyone using an 'Apple Account' would be using an actual Apple email eg icloud.com and no other email. But that's not happening.

I have to agree with you 100%. If you don’t understand what Apple ID means a ‘simpler’ Apple Account ain’ gonna help you. Honestly, never knew this was a problem for some people.

mplsp

I don’t care what they call it, just let us merge accounts!

zoetmb

This is nonsense and a wasted effort, IMO.   To my ears, “Apple Account” is confusing because it could imply my computer sign-on, phone sign-on, etc., and the Apple ID/password combo.  An “Apple ID” is more precise and explicit. 

If Apple wants to do anything with AppleID, they should provide the ability to combine and delete IDs.  When my AppleID wasn’t working I created a new one, although it turned out the problem was at Apple.  And then for a short time I wound up with two Apple TV subs, so another ID was created for that and even though I eventually deleted the extra account that used the newer ID, it still haunts me. 

Some apps were purchased using the wrong ID and the system won’t update them under my regular ID.   Luckily, most were free, so I delete them and then reinstall them.  My data is preserved (which really shouldn’t be the case, but I’m glad it is).  But some I had to pay again for because it was easier then having to sign in under the other ID to update them. 

Whenever the Mac OS has a major update it asks me to use the AppleID that I don’t normally use.  

How much money is Apple spending on a useless name change that’s only going to confuse users, IMO?

w_d_richards

VictorMortimer said:

It won't help.

Users have no idea what you're talking about when you say Apple ID, they don't know that it's an email address, they don't know that it's the same thing they use for iCloud, they're confused as to what iCloud is, and they definitely don't know how to remove devices they're selling/giving away from it.

I don't know what the fix is, but a simple rename isn't going to help.

But it WILL help!

I have to deal with a lot of seniors in my family who get confused as hell by the 'Apple ID' moniker. To them, an ID is something you have in your wallet. They do understand that an account is a record you have with a company where you keep either money or information—and that an account on a computer is for another user on the same machine. The same extension by which "account" became the nomenclature so many decades ago. By changing the name to 'Apple Account,' it better labels just what is is for them.

It may seem to be just another marketing label rebranding, but for people who did not grow up with computers as an integral part of their life, this will make comprehending what is going on a lot easier.

randominternetperson

gilly33 said:

paisleydisco said:

LOL name change isn't going to make people smarter. My friends and family prove me right. 

They'll still be confused about the 'apple account' -- nothing can save these types. They can't understand the Apple ID/account from their typical email. They don't understand the Appe ID has a password that is not the password for their Apple ID email name. Etc. You say Apple ID and they start typing their passwords or say they don't know their password. LOL clown show 

The only way to correct this would be everyone using an 'Apple Account' would be using an actual Apple email eg icloud.com and no other email. But that's not happening.

I have to agree with you 100%. If you don’t understand what Apple ID means a ‘simpler’ Apple Account ain’ gonna help you. Honestly, never knew this was a problem for some people.

I have to disagree.  People understand the concept of an account.  You have an account with Amazon, with your bank, with your wireless provider, so of course you have an account with Apple.  The account is not "the username;" the account is the account.  My Apple Account is not "randominternetperson@rip.com" my account is the relationship between me an Apple.  Usually when I use my Apple Account I don't enter my email address or anything. I just use my iPhone to authentication and I'm good to go.

Calling it an ID makes it sound like a driver's license or a number. It's much more than that.

Edit: Just noticed that W_D_Richards made exactly the same point. Great minds think alike, as my mom says.

edited March 2024

randominternetperson

How is that not confusing?  Why label the page "Apple ID" and then say "Manage your Apple Account"? There is link saying "Create Your Apple ID" when, in fact, you're creating an account. Right there in the text box it says enter an email OR phone number. Is the "ID" the email address name of the account or the account itself?  Doing away with the Apple ID term makes good sense.

If/when they want the email address associated with your account, they can ask for that, just like Amazon and everyone else does.

Sure, this isn't an epic, life-altering change, but it makes good sense once you think about it. And good for them for biting the bullet and making this administratively painful transition (if they do).