It’s a common problem of the modern age: how to share just enough with a partner or with your family, but not your personal stuff, like emails and messages. An Apple ID is designed to be a unique identifier you can use across all Apple services and purchases, but Apple recognized that for legacy and other reasons, it had to separate iCloud-connected stuff, iMessage and FaceTime, and iTunes Store and various App Stores purchases.
If you simply share the same Apple ID among everyone, as one Macworld reader discovered, all your private communication and information appears for all devices (and people) logged into the same account. Instead, you split up roles within iOS and macOS by account.
IMessage is an excellent way to keep in touch with anyone and everyone else using an Apple product, be it an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. However, it can be a complicated beast at times, especially if family members are using the same Apple ID on different devices.
Each person has to set up or already have their own personal Apple ID that they use with iCloud email, contacts, and calendar entries, and which they use to log into iMessage and FaceTime. A third (or subsequent) Apple ID can be entirely devoted to purchases.
The example that follows assumes two people; I recommend Family Sharing later in this column as an alternative for a duo and a recommendation for three or more.
- You seem to be the pro with imessage and I was wondering if you could explain to me how to actually log out of my apple id on imessage and to update it with my new id. It wont let me delete or even sign out when I go to account details 😟.
- Launch the Messages app from the dock, Launchpad, or desktop. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.Enter a verification code if you have two-factor authentication activated.
- Apple requires user IDs and passwords to access Apple services like the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime. Says Russel Kent-Payne, director and co-founder of Certo Software.
Set up iOS and iPadOS
In iOS and iPadOS, set up this two Apple ID split in Settings. If you haven’t yet logged into an iCloud account, you start by using your unique Apple ID for iCloud. If you’re already logged into it, Settings will show your name and avatar, and you can tap that to get to iCloud and other settings.
In that second screen, tap iTunes & App Store. Tap the Apple ID at the top if an account is already logged in. Tap Sign Out. Then tap to sign in and enter the shared-purchase Apple ID account. Repeat these steps on all devices, ensuring you start with the Apple ID used for iCloud before proceeding to log in separately with the purchase account.
You may also have to log in or change settings for iMessage and FaceTime.
For iMessage, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and tap the Apple ID to change it if necessary.
For FaceTime, visit Settings > FaceTime, and likewise tap the Apple ID if it’s the wrong one.
Set up on the Mac
In macOS 10.14 Mojave and earlier, use the iCloud preference pane to log into your personal iCloud account. Then launch iTunes, Books, and the Mac App Store to switch those to the shared-purchase Apple ID. Use Account > Sign Out in iTunes and Store > Sign Out in Books and the App Store.
In macOS 10.15 Catalina and the upcoming macOS 11 Big Sur, use the Apple ID preference pane’s Overview tab to check which account you’re signed into. If none, sign into your personal Apple ID account here. Then open App Store, Books, Music, and TV—whichever of those you use—to switch them to your shared-purchase Apple ID. (The Podcasts app picks up its account settings from the App Store.) Click Account > Sign Out or Store > Sign Out depending on the app.
Use Family Sharing instead
A couple may want to use Family Sharing instead, which keeps everyone’s accounts personal and private, but allows most purchases to be accessed by other members of the sharing set. I recommend it for any family group of three or more people; it can handle up to six.
One drawback to Family Sharing has been that App Store subscriptions and in-app purchases (IAPs) have not been shareable to date. However, with macOS 11 Big Sur and iOS/iPadOS 14 due out later in the year, developers will be allowed to let subscriptions and IAPs be eligible for Family Sharing, too.
For more on Family Sharing, see Mac 911 columns on “Save iCloud storage costs with Family Sharing” and “Why can’t Family Sharing include more than six people?”
This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by Macworld reader Del.
Ask Mac 911
We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com including screen captures as appropriate, and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered, we don’t reply to email, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.
Set up your phone number
On your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Messages and make sure that iMessage is on. You might need to wait a moment for it to activate.
- Tap Send & Receive. If you see “Use your Apple ID for iMessage,” tap it and sign in with the same Apple ID that you use on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch.
- In the 'You can receive iMessages' section, make sure that your phone number and Apple ID are selected.
- Go to Settings > FaceTime and make sure that your phone number and Apple ID are selected in the 'You can be reached by FaceTime at' section.
On your other devices, you can now turn on the phone number that you just set up:
If you use this feature and share your Apple ID with someone, you can't prevent them from seeing your conversations. Instead of using the same Apple ID as someone else, set up Family Sharing.
Remove your phone number
If you don't want calls or messages for your iPhone on your iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, you can remove your phone number. There are two ways to do this:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Select your Apple ID at the bottom of the screen and tap Sign Out. Then go to Settings > FaceTime, select your Apple ID and tap Sign Out.
- If the phone number that you want to remove belongs to an iPhone that you can't access, change your Apple ID password. This removes all phone numbers from your iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. Calls or messages for the removed numbers won't appear on those devices anymore.
If you have questions, contact Apple Support.
Turn your phone number on or off for your Mac
After you set up your phone number, you can turn it on or off for Messages and FaceTime on your Mac.
- Open Messages or FaceTime. If asked, sign in with the Apple ID that you're using with Messages and FaceTime on your iPhone.
- For Messages, choose Messages > Preferences, then click iMessage. For FaceTime, choose FaceTime > Preferences, then click Settings.
- Turn your phone number on or off:
- To turn on your phone number, select it and your Apple ID in the list. If you don't see your phone number, get help with your settings or contact Apple Support. If you see a number that isn't yours, change your Apple ID password.
- To turn off your phone number, deselect it in the list.
- If you want recipients to see your phone number and not your Apple ID, select your phone number from the “Start new conversations from” or ”Start new calls from” pop-up menu.
Learn how to make messages that you send and receive on your iPhone appear on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch.
How To Change My Imessage Apple Id
Turn your phone number on or off for your iPad or iPod touch
After you set up your phone number, you can turn it on or off for Messages and FaceTime on your iPad or iPod touch.
- For Messages, go to Settings > Messages and make sure that iMessage is on. If asked, sign in with the Apple ID you're using with Messages and FaceTime on your iPhone. Then tap Send & Receive.
- For FaceTime, go to Settings > FaceTime. If asked, sign in with the Apple ID that you're using with Messages and FaceTime on your iPhone.
- Turn your phone number on or off:
- To turn on your phone number, select it and your Apple ID in the “You can be reached” section. If you don't see your phone number, get help with your settings or contact Apple Support. If you see a number that isn't yours, change your Apple ID password.
- To turn off your phone number, uncheck it.
Learn how to make messages that you send and receive on your iPhone also appear on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch.
If you can't see or select your number in Messages or FaceTime
- Make sure that you're using the latest software for your Mac or iOS device.
- Make sure that you correctly followed the iPhone steps to set up your phone number. You should be using the same Apple ID on all of your devices.
- In the “You can be reached” section of Messages and FaceTime settings, make sure that there are checkmarks beside your phone number and Apple ID:
If your phone number is unchecked and you can't select it, or you have some other issue, follow these steps:
Imessage And Apple Id
- On your Mac:
- In Messages, choose Messages > Preferences, then click iMessage. Click Sign Out.
- In FaceTime, choose FaceTime > Preferences, then click Sign Out.
- On your iPhone, iPad, and iPod:
- Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Tap your Apple ID, then tap Sign Out.
- Go to Settings > FaceTime. Tap your Apple ID, then tap Sign Out.
- On your iPhone:
- Go back to Settings > Messages and make sure that iMessage is turned on.
- Tap Send & Receive, then choose “Use your Apple ID for iMessage” and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Using the same Apple ID, sign back in to Messages and FaceTime on your other devices.
Imessage Apple Id Verification Failed
If you still need help, change your Apple ID password and repeat the setup steps. If that doesn't work, contact Apple Support.