Apple is preparing a major change that will soon make us say goodbye to the Apple ID. If a few days ago MacRumors published the discovery, it is now when Mark Gurman also affirms that Apple plans to change the name from “Apple ID” to “Apple Account” on all its software platforms and websites, starting this year.
A change to better reflect the purpose of the account
The name change, which is expected to be implemented throughout the year both online and in the upcoming major software updates from Apple, such as iOS 18 for the iPhone, macOS 15 for the Mac, and watchOS 11 for the Apple Watch, marks a significant shift in how Apple conceptualizes our digital identity as users. The move follows the very discreet introduction of the term “Apple Account balance” to refer to funds added to an Apple ID, and suggests a more integrated and streamlined approach to managing our user accounts.
In his Power On newsletter, Gurman revealed that there is a team within Apple called “Apple Account”, indicating that the company has been working on this transition for some time. The complete elimination of the term Apple ID, which has been part of Apple’s nomenclature for over two decades, represents a significant change and, although Apple has not officially revealed the reasons behind this decision, it is speculated that the new name offers a clearer and more direct description of its function.
It is expected that Apple will unveil iOS 18 and its other software updates at the developer conference next June, at which time the official switch to “Apple Account” is likely to be announced. The update will, if we follow the usual schedule, be officially available in September, marking the beginning of a new era for our Apple accounts.
