How to Change iCloud Account on Mac?

If you have multiple iCloud accounts or want to switch your primary account, it is easy to change the iCloud account signed in on your Mac. Apple provides simple controls for both adding accounts as well as designating another iCloud as the default.

Sign Out of Existing iCloud Account

Before switching accounts, you first need to sign out of your current iCloud account:

• Go to System Preferences > Apple ID
• Click Overview and then Sign Out
• Confirm sign out when prompted

This disconnects your account details and data from the Mac.

Add New Account in System Preferences

With prior iCloud signed out, go back to add the new account:

• Return to System Preferences > Apple ID
• Click Sign In and enter new Apple ID credentials
• Follow prompts to sign in to iCloud services

Upon successful sign in, the new account will now be active on your Mac.

Merge iCloud Data After Sign In

If you stored data such as photos, documents or contacts in iCloud, you can import this into apps when prompted:

• Open apps like Photos or Contacts
• You may get popups asking to merge iCloud data from the new account
• Follow the onscreen instructions to combined stored data

This retrieves items from the new iCloud account into local apps which is convenient for access.

Re-Enable iCloud Features

Additionally, re-enable any specific iCloud features relied upon from the old account:

• Return to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud
• Check boxes to turn back on Photos, Mail, Contacts etc

Toggling these syncs data going forward with the newly signed in iCloud.

Designate Primary iCloud Account

If keeping old iCloud on Mac for certain data while making the new account primary:

• Go to System Preferences > Apple ID > Overview
• Under Primary Account section, click Make Primary on the desired account

This assigns default iCloud status to the chosen Apple ID for app downloads, iCloud Drive and more. Can still access both accounts.

Key Things to Remember When Changing Account

When switching iCloud accounts on your Mac, keep these additional tips in mind:

• Sign out of existing account first before adding new one
• Merge carries over stored data to new account for easy access
• Re-enable sync on specific apps if relying on their iCloud integration
• Set Primary iCloud to designate main account if keeping multiple

Following this process allows smoothly transitioning accounts and data access on your Mac.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing account delete my iCloud backup?

No, existing device backups made to old iCloud account remain available if you need to restore that Mac or linked devices later.

Can I switch between accounts once signed in?

Yes definitely - you can actively swap accounts in System Preferences anytime. Just sign out of current one first before signing into another.

What happens if I accidentally delete files from old account?

As long as old iCloud retains the 30-day deleted item recovery option enabled, any mistakenly removed files stay recoverable for that duration.

Is there a way to merge contacts and calendars from both accounts?

Unfortunately there isn't a built-in mechanism to combine contacts and calendars across two different signed-in iCloud accounts. Recommend exporting and then importing into the preferred account.

Conclusion

Changing your iCloud account allows easily linking a new or different Apple ID to your Mac. Make sure to sign out, sign back in to the new account, optionally migrate stored data, re-enable iCloud app features, and designate the primary iCloud. This makes switching accounts a smooth process.