Apple has rebranded its widely used “Apple ID” to “Apple Account” as part of its updates in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and watchOS 11. This change is called an effort to simplify how users interact with Apple’s services and devices. The update does not alter the functionality of accounts but focuses on making the terminology clearer and easier to understand.
The term “Apple ID” has been a part of Apple’s ecosystem for years, but some users found it confusing, thinking it referred to an identification document rather than an account. By switching to “Apple Account,” Apple hopes to make it clearer that this refers to the account users use to access services like iCloud, the App Store, and Apple Music. The company says this change will make the experience smoother and more intuitive.
For users, this change is mostly cosmetic. Existing login credentials remain the same, and there are no changes to how accounts work. The term “Apple Account” will now appear in settings and system prompts instead of “Apple ID.” Apple has added prompts during the iOS 18 setup process to explain the change and reduce confusion.
This update comes after feedback from users who found the old term unclear, especially during customer support interactions. By using simpler language, Apple hopes to make its ecosystem more user-friendly without altering the core experience.