Apple is introducing a much-awaited feature with iOS 18.1 — allowing users to change their primary iCloud email addresses. This update addresses users’ annoyances over outdated or undesirable email handles, making it easier to maintain an iCloud account that reflects their current preferences. Previously, Apple offered limited options, like setting up an alias, but users couldn’t fully mask their original email address when sharing documents or calendar invites. Now, Apple offers a straightforward way to update and personalize iCloud and Apple ID addresses directly from the device settings.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
With iOS 18.1, Apple adds a new capability that enables users to change their primary iCloud or Apple ID email address within the Settings app, bypassing the previous lengthy process of deleting and re-verifying a new primary email. This update will benefit long-time users with older @me.com or @mac.com addresses created before 2012, who can now swap these for updated iCloud handles. Additionally, the update rolls out alongside Apple’s latest foray into generative AI, bringing new tools like Apple Intelligence, designed to create text, generate images, and manage tasks across apps.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, iOS 18.1 is expected to begin a phased rollout on October 28. In addition to email changes, iOS 18.1 brings updates to iCloud for Windows, which launched earlier this year, enhancing cross-platform integration. With improved features, users can sync iCloud photos to a Windows folder and merge bookmarks across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, expanding iCloud’s usability across devices and platforms.
TF Summary: What’s Next
Apple’s iOS 18.1 update signals a user-centric shift, giving greater control over iCloud personalization and integrating AI capabilities into daily tasks. This change will streamline processes for users with older iCloud accounts and improve cross-platform synchronization. As Apple continues to evolve its ecosystem, we can anticipate further enhancements to iCloud functionality, addressing user feedback and making Apple services more adaptable and intuitive.
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