MobileMe users experience issues in Apple's transition to iCloud
The inability of users to merge their Apple IDs has created a myriad of potential problems for some making the transition from MobileMe to its replacement, iCloud.
A number of users have reached out to AppleInsider to share their issues and frustrations as they have attempted to migrate from MobileMe to iCloud. One person explained in an e-mail that they have called AppleCare, used online support, and even asked for help at a local retail store.
"I bought a MobileMe subscription when they came out," the user wrote in their e-mail. "Until Wednesday I didn't (realize) this created a new (Apple ID). I asked (iTunes) support to add this MobileMe address to my current (iTunes Apple ID) as this was to become my primary email address.
"On Wednesday when iCloud came out it became apparent that this MobileMe email address could not be verified on the MobileMe account as it was in use by my old (iTunes Apple ID). So (I) went to appleid.apple.com to try to change the Primary email address to something different in my iTunes AppleID but it wouldn't let me." Calls made to AppleCare couldn't resolve the problem, they said.
It's a similar story for another user, who has one Apple ID used to purchase applications and music, which is separate from the e-mail address used for their MobileMe account. The person is in a position where they must choose between the e-mail address associated with their MobileMe account, or the Apple ID that they have used to purchase applications and music.
Another person said that upon setting up their iOS device, they were asked to create a me.com e-mail address, but they were unable to do this on an iOS device or a MacBook Air.
This person said after speaking with a senior technical support representative at Apple, they were told that Apple is "not allowing new me.com e-mail addresses," but only allowing MobileMe accounts to be converted to iCloud. The representative allegedly indicated that Apple has been receiving many calls about the issue, but they do not know when a fix will be available.
A similar list of headaches for MobileMe users making the move to iCloud was also detailed Monday by Chris Foresman of Ars Technica. He noted that the issues can also apply to users who have shared an Apple ID with family members, allowing purchases like software from the App Store to be installed on multiple devices -- a practice allowed with Apple's terms of service.
"Unless all devices are going to be synced to the same data store -- with everyone sharing contacts, calendars, and other information -- other users who were previously dependent on that account may have to re-purchase apps or music," he said.
Apple CEO Tim Cook allegedly indicated in an e-mail in September that Apple is working to allow users to merge multiple Apple IDs. But that ability has not yet arrived.
Apple launched its free iCloud service last Wednesday, along with the release of iOS 5 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and an update for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion adding iCloud support. iCloud will back up users' personal data on their iOS device to Apple's remote servers in the cloud, and also keeps data, documents, calendars and contacts synced across a number of devices with the use of an Apple ID.
A number of users have reached out to AppleInsider to share their issues and frustrations as they have attempted to migrate from MobileMe to iCloud. One person explained in an e-mail that they have called AppleCare, used online support, and even asked for help at a local retail store.
"I bought a MobileMe subscription when they came out," the user wrote in their e-mail. "Until Wednesday I didn't (realize) this created a new (Apple ID). I asked (iTunes) support to add this MobileMe address to my current (iTunes Apple ID) as this was to become my primary email address.
"On Wednesday when iCloud came out it became apparent that this MobileMe email address could not be verified on the MobileMe account as it was in use by my old (iTunes Apple ID). So (I) went to appleid.apple.com to try to change the Primary email address to something different in my iTunes AppleID but it wouldn't let me." Calls made to AppleCare couldn't resolve the problem, they said.
It's a similar story for another user, who has one Apple ID used to purchase applications and music, which is separate from the e-mail address used for their MobileMe account. The person is in a position where they must choose between the e-mail address associated with their MobileMe account, or the Apple ID that they have used to purchase applications and music.
Another person said that upon setting up their iOS device, they were asked to create a me.com e-mail address, but they were unable to do this on an iOS device or a MacBook Air.
This person said after speaking with a senior technical support representative at Apple, they were told that Apple is "not allowing new me.com e-mail addresses," but only allowing MobileMe accounts to be converted to iCloud. The representative allegedly indicated that Apple has been receiving many calls about the issue, but they do not know when a fix will be available.
A similar list of headaches for MobileMe users making the move to iCloud was also detailed Monday by Chris Foresman of Ars Technica. He noted that the issues can also apply to users who have shared an Apple ID with family members, allowing purchases like software from the App Store to be installed on multiple devices -- a practice allowed with Apple's terms of service.
"Unless all devices are going to be synced to the same data store -- with everyone sharing contacts, calendars, and other information -- other users who were previously dependent on that account may have to re-purchase apps or music," he said.
Apple CEO Tim Cook allegedly indicated in an e-mail in September that Apple is working to allow users to merge multiple Apple IDs. But that ability has not yet arrived.
Apple launched its free iCloud service last Wednesday, along with the release of iOS 5 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and an update for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion adding iCloud support. iCloud will back up users' personal data on their iOS device to Apple's remote servers in the cloud, and also keeps data, documents, calendars and contacts synced across a number of devices with the use of an Apple ID.
Comments
Both iOS and iTunes/MacOS Support the use of two separate ID's-- one for music and the app store, the other for iCloud purposes. You cannot have the same primary email address identified on both accounts, but iTunes and iCloud do not really need to talk to each other at this point. I had issues trying to use one ID for both, but have had 0 issues trying to use two separate IDs.
People who want to use iTunes match will likely run into issues, in the long run.
A simple one-time account merge would be preferable here, though.
The inability of users to merge their Apple IDs has created a myriad of potential problems for some making the transition from MobileMe to its replacement, iCloud. ...
I kind of resent the way this article spins these problems as, well ... problems, when in fact Apple has been clear from day one that you can't merge your Apple ID's into iCloud.
It's unfortunate, but it's not a "problem" per se (one that has a possible fix), it's the way it's supposed to work and the way it's advertised to work. They may provide a method for merging ID's in future or they may not. Too bad for those that don't understand how these things work.
It's also arguably very dumb of users not to see this coming. How many sites or services or email providers of any kind allow you to use multiple ID's to access the service and yet be the same person? Almost none. Aliases yes, multiple accounts, generally not.
Problem for me is that some of my apps are tied to my old iTunes Apple ID which I've used for years and I risk losing serious data if I uninstall and reinstall the app.
Come-on Apple, get with the program.
What a fucking mess. They brought this shit upon themselves. To the three of you who successfully made this transition without a single warning/error dialog, kudos.
I thought I was a smart guy. After attempting to wade through this MobileMe-to-iCould transition, I have concluded that I am not a smart guy.
What a fucking mess. They brought this shit upon themselves. To the three of you who successfully made this transition without a single warning/error dialog, kudos.
I consider myself quite the idiot when it comes to cloud services and integration. I had no trouble moving my .mac and mobile me services to my three computers and 5 iOS devices.
You cannot have the same primary email address identified on both accounts, but iTunes and iCloud do not really need to talk to each other at this point. I had issues trying to use one ID for both, but have had 0 issues trying to use two separate IDs.
People who want to use iTunes match will likely run into issues, in the long run.
A simple one-time account merge would be preferable here, though.
agree that account merge would work well for many;
but your comment saying you cannot use the same primary email address identified on both is not correct (for me anyway); I use my [email protected] (now iCloud) address for both iTunes and iCloud- have for years
ken
I kind of resent the way this article spins these problems as, well ... problems, when in fact Apple has been clear from day one that you can't merge your Apple ID's into iCloud.
It's unfortunate, but it's not a "problem" per se (one that has a possible fix), it's the way it's supposed to work and the way it's advertised to work. They may provide a method for merging ID's in future or they may not. Too bad for those that don't understand how these things work.
It's also arguably very dumb of users not to see this coming. How many sites or services or email providers of any kind allow you to use multiple ID's to access the service and yet be the same person? Almost none. Aliases yes, multiple accounts, generally not.
Prof. Peabody...I have to disagree. I had an iTunes account before MobileMe even existed. My Apple ID was tied to a Hotmail account. How was I supposed to know at the time that Apple would then force me several years, hell almost a decade, in the future to use my MobileMe account as my Apple ID for the transition to iCloud?
I agree with others, a one-time merge for MobileMe customers is the very least they can do. For now I've got to juggle two, one for iCloud and one for iTunes. I'd forgo the next four months of MM service for a one-time merge.
Bill
I then installed iOS5 on my iPhone... and it prompted me to sign in to iCloud with my Apple ID. It recommended that, if you use one Apple ID for iTunes, and have a separate Mobile Me ID, to use the Mobile Me ID to log in at that time. Maybe I overthought things, but I went ahead and used my iTunes Apple ID to sign in to iCloud. It took a couple hours, but I got the confirmation that my iTunes Apple ID was now associated with iCloud.
I turned off all syncing with Mobile Me on my phone.
I also got around to updating my MacBook to Lion. Signed out of Mobile Me on there, and signed in to iCloud on it.
I still check my Mobile Me email, but other than that, everything else I was using it for is turned off at this point, and working fine via iCloud. I'm just fine letting my Mobile Me account wither and die, and now I only have to remember my main Apple ID for everything.
I consider myself quite the idiot when it comes to cloud services and integration. I had no trouble moving my .mac and mobile me services to my three computers and 5 iOS devices.
make it 4-
converted iMac and 3 iOS devices for me;
MacAir and 2 iOS devices for the wife
no problems (although took a while to complete)
ken
agree that account merge would work well for many;
but your comment saying you cannot use the same primary email address identified on both is not correct (for me anyway); I use my [email protected] (now iCloud) address for both iTunes and iCloud- have for years
ken
Fair enough, but it does not allow me to make my primary iCloud (former MobileMe) account's email address an @gmail.com address that is the primary email for my iTunes AppleID. This may be because the iTunes account was originally connected to an @mac.com email address. So a workaround may be that if you are happy making @me.com your default email, you may be fine. Personally, I'm just not interested in using @me.com as an email address.
Despite what some have said, this is NOT a user problem-- people who have purchased MORE of apple's services throughout the years are at a DISADVANTAGE to those who refused to pay for MobileMe/.Mac because of having accounts orphaned multiple times. It's not a huge deal, but not having a choice as to whether or not you operate with separate iCloud accounts is pretty lame. Buying more apple products is supposed to simplify your workflow, not make it worse.
you share your apps with the rest of the family???
great...
let them use your appleid for the Appstore, and create iCloud accounts for them...
or better yet, even YOU create an iCloud account...
and leave the AppStore account for Apps and music and books only...
the AppStore account has Nothing to do with the iCloud account...
I, had my AppStore Appleid, and a year after I bought god knows how many apps, I got me a mobileme account...
yes, I would've loved merging them, and the day they say i will be able to do so, I'll be sooooo happy...
but for the time being, I converted my MobileMe account to iCloud, and got 25Gbs instead of the usual 5, and am using it on my iPhone, iPod and iPad...
while the AppStore account is the one logged to my account, and two of my family use it, while they have their own iCloud accounts...
No problem whatsoever, each one has his contacts, calendars, reminders, documents and photos on a different iCloud account...
music and apps though are common...
log to iCloud while setting up the iPhone, and then go to AppStore and login using your AppStore Appleid, you can do the same for the iMessage, FaceTime also...
This support page helped: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4895
It might not be ideal, but I am okay using one ID for synchronization (me.com) and another (the old one) for my iTunes purchases. Other than this, I find iCloud really pleasant.
I kind of resent the way this article spins these problems as, well ... problems, when in fact Apple has been clear from day one that you can't merge your Apple ID's into iCloud.
It's unfortunate, but it's not a "problem" per se (one that has a possible fix), it's the way it's supposed to work and the way it's advertised to work. They may provide a method for merging ID's in future or they may not. Too bad for those that don't understand how these things work.
It's also arguably very dumb of users not to see this coming. How many sites or services or email providers of any kind allow you to use multiple ID's to access the service and yet be the same person? Almost none. Aliases yes, multiple accounts, generally not.
Nokia's Ovi (now dead for the most part) allowed this.
Prof. Peabody...I have to disagree. I had an iTunes account before MobileMe even existed. My Apple ID was tied to a Hotmail account. How was I supposed to know at the time that Apple would then force me several years, hell almost a decade, in the future to use my MobileMe account as my Apple ID for the transition to iCloud?
I agree with others, a one-time merge for MobileMe customers is the very least they can do. For now I've got to juggle two, one for iCloud and one for iTunes. I'd forgo the next four months of MM service for a one-time merge.
Bill
All your devices will use your saved MM account/password for email, etc. You just need to enter your other Apple ID for iTunes purchases. Could you explain the juggling bit?