Create and manage an Apple Account using a phone number instead of an email address
When you create a new Apple Account in China mainland or India, you can use your mobile phone number to sign in to your Apple Account.
Here’s how it works
Any time you set up an iPhone or iPad, you have the option to sign in to your existing Apple Account or create a new account. If you create a new Apple Account on an iPhone in iOS 11 or later, you can use your mobile phone number to sign in to your Apple Account in China mainland and India. If you live in China mainland, use your (+86) mobile phone number. If you live in India, use your (+91) number. Depending on your network provider, you may also be able to create a new account with a mobile phone number on some Android devices, smart TVs and streaming devices. Just choose Create Your Apple Account from the Apple Account sign-in screen and follow the instructions to create your new account.
Once your account is created, you can use it to sign in on any Apple device or service. Whenever you sign in on a new device, app or service, you’ll enter your mobile phone number – including the country code – and your password. Make sure you use the same Apple Account everywhere you sign in so your Apple devices and services work together seamlessly.
If you already use an email address to sign in to your Apple Account, you may be unable to change it to a mobile phone number. However, you can associate your account with different phone numbers or email addresses on your Apple Account page. Then, you can use those phone numbers or email addresses to sign in to your Apple Account.
What you need
Here’s what you need to use your mobile phone number to sign in to your Apple Account:
iPhone or iPad with iOS 11 or later
Mac with macOS High Sierra or later
Apple Watch with watchOS 4 or later
Apple TV with tvOS 11 or later
Apple.com, iCloud.com, and other Apple web properties*
Apple services on third-party devices
*Depending on how you created your Apple Account, you may be prompted to change your Apple Account phone number to an email address. You may also need to provide additional information.
Account security
Depending on where you created your account and how much personal information is associated with it, account security requirements may vary. When using an Apple device, it’s best to use two-factor authentication. In some cases, you may be prompted to review or upgrade your security when signing in on an Apple device or an Apple website.
Messages from Apple
As there isn’t an email address associated with a mobile phone number-based Apple Account, communications from Apple come to you through Messages on your iPhone or iPad and account.apple.com.
To make sure you receive important account-related messages on your iPhone or iPad, sign in on iCloud, Messages and FaceTime with your phone number and Apple Account password. If you sign in on iCloud on an iPhone or iPad without a SIM card, you can’t use FaceTime and Messages. You can always see your messages from Apple on account.apple.com.
Change your Apple Account primary phone number to a different mobile phone number
Depending on the country or region that you live in and how you created your Apple Account, you might be able to change your Apple Account primary phone number to a different mobile phone number from your Apple Account page, or on your iPhone or iPad.
In China mainland, your new primary Apple Account phone number must be another (+86) mobile phone number. In India, your new Apple Account phone number must be another (+91) mobile phone number.
On the web
Sign out of every Apple service and device that uses your Apple Account.
Go to account.apple.com and sign in.
In the Sign-In and Security section, click Apple Account.
Enter the mobile phone number that you want to sign in to your Apple Account, then select Change Apple Account.
A verification code will be sent to you on that number. Enter the verification code from the text into the fields provided.
On your iPhone or iPad
Go to Settings, then tap [your name].
Tap Sign-In & Security.
Tap your primary phone number to make changes.
To remove this phone number from your account, tap Remove from Account. If you want to keep the current phone number associated with your Apple Account but change to a different primary phone number, turn off Primary Phone Number.
You’re prompted to choose another primary phone number. You can either choose one of your other phone numbers associated with your account as the new primary, or add a new primary phone number.
Follow the onscreen steps to enter and verify your new primary phone number.
If your new mobile phone number is already connected to your Apple Account as a Messages phone number, shared phone number or trusted phone number, then you don’t need to verify it.
Didn’t get a code? In some cases, your trusted phone number can be automatically verified in the background on your iPhone. It’s one less thing to do, and your account will still be protected with two-factor authentication.
Change your Apple Account primary phone number to an email address
You might be prompted to change your Apple Account primary phone number to an email address if you no longer own the mobile phone number being used to sign in to your Apple Account. You can also change your Apple Account primary phone number to an email address to make sign in and recovery easier.
On your iPhone or iPad
Go to Settings, then tap [your name].
Tap Sign-In & Security.
Tap your primary phone number to make changes.
To remove this phone number from your account, tap Remove from Account. If you want to keep the current phone number associated with your Apple Account but change to a different primary email address, turn off Primary Phone Number.
Choose Add New Primary Phone or Email. If you already have an email address associated with your Apple Account, you might be prompted to make it your primary email address instead.
You can either choose Existing Email Address if you have an email you can use already, or choose New iCloud Email Address if you want to create a free iCloud email for your account.
Follow the on-screen steps to enter and verify your new primary email address. Find out what to do if you didn’t get the email.
If you move to a different country or region
You can change your Apple Account primary phone number to a new mobile phone number or an email address. Make sure the mobile phone number can be verified by SMS. First, change your Apple Account country or region. Then follow the steps to change your Apple Account phone number to a new mobile phone number or to an email address.
If someone else uses your phone number to sign in to their Apple Account
It’s possible that someone who previously owned your phone number is still using that number to sign in to their Apple Account. In this case, you aren’t able to use your phone number to sign in to your own Apple Account. You can still sign in with the email addresses on file in your Apple Account.
The previous owner of your phone number won’t be able to access any of your account information or use your number for iMessage and FaceTime. It’s simply how they sign in to their own, separate Apple Account.
In order for you to use your phone number to sign in to your Apple Account, the previous owner of your phone number would have to remove it from their Apple Account.
