Quick Overview
Changing the account linked to your app store is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. The key is to first sign out of your current account, and then sign in with the new account you want to link. You may need to update payment information and redownload purchased apps afterwards. The specific steps vary slightly between the App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore, and others.
Signing Out of Your Current Account
The first step is to make sure you are fully signed out of the account currently linked to the app store on your device.
On an iPhone or iPad:
– Open the Settings app
– Scroll down and tap your Apple ID at the top
– Tap “Sign Out”
You will be signed out of the App Store and all other Apple services like iCloud, FaceTime, etc.
On an Android device:
– Open the Play Store app
– Tap the profile icon in the top right
– Tap “Sign out”
This signs you out of just the Play Store itself.
On an Amazon Fire tablet:
– Go to Settings > My Account
– Tap “Sign out”
Be sure to sign out of any other Amazon apps like Kindle, Music, or Video as well.
Signing out ensures none of your account details or downloaded apps are still cached on the device. It provides a clean slate to link a new account.
Signing Into the New Account
Once signed out, you can sign in with the new account.
On an iPhone/iPad:
– Open the App Store app
– Tap your profile icon in the top right
– Select “Sign In”
– Enter your new Apple ID and password
This links your new Apple account to the App Store and all other Apple services.
On an Android device:
– Open the Play Store
– Tap the profile icon
– Tap “Add account”
– Enter your new Google account details
You can add multiple accounts but select which one is primary.
On an Amazon Fire tablet:
– Go back to Settings > My Account
– Tap “Create/Login Account”
– Enter your new Amazon login credentials
Make sure to sign into other Amazon apps as well with the new account.
Once signed in, your new account will now be linked for app and media purchases.
Updating Payment Details
One important step when switching accounts is to update your payment details. This ensures you can make purchases under the new account.
For the App Store:
– Go to Settings > Your Name > Payment & Shipping
– Add a valid payment method like a credit/debit card or PayPal
You may need to complete a verification process the first time adding a new card.
For the Play Store:
– Open the Play Store app and tap the profile icon
– Select Payments & subscriptions
– Click Add payment method
– Enter your card details
Google will verify the card before allowing purchases.
For Amazon:
– Go to Settings > Manage Payment Options
– Add your new card or edit existing ones
Amazon will use this for appstore purchases and other Amazon content.
Be sure to remove any old payment details you don’t want charged anymore while signed into the new account.
Re-downloading Purchased Apps
Once your new account is linked and set up, you may need to redownload apps you previously purchased under your old account.
On an iPhone/iPad:
– Open the App Store
– Tap your profile icon
– Tap “Purchased” to see your download history
– Tap the download button to redownload free apps
– Tap the cloud icon to redownload paid apps
You won’t be charged again for paid apps. This simply allows you to access them on the new account.
On an Android device:
– Open the Play Store
– Tap your profile picture
– Select “My Apps & Games”
– Tap “Library” to see purchased apps
– Tap “Install” to download apps again
As with the App Store, already purchased apps can be installed without additional charge.
On a Fire tablet:
– Go to Games & Apps from the home screen
– Select “Cloud” in the top left menu
– Tap “Owned Items” to show purchased content
– Tap an item and select “Download” to install
Downloaded apps that were free or already paid for will not incur any additional cost.
Reinstalling purchases is an important final step to restore your app library under the new account.
Conclusion
Switching the account linked to app stores like Apple’s App Store, Google Play, or Amazon’s Appstore is straightforward once you know the steps:
1. Sign out of your old account completely
2. Sign into the new account you want to link
3. Update payment details for the new account
4. Re-download and reinstall apps purchased under old account
Following these steps carefully will ensure a smooth transition to the new account with minimal disruptions. Take your time and don’t rush through the account switching process. Be sure to sign in and out of all appropriate apps during the switch. With a few taps in the right places, you’ll have your app store purchases neatly transferred over to the new linked account.
| App Store | Steps to Switch Accounts |
|---|---|
| iPhone App Store |
|
| Google Play Store |
|
| Amazon Appstore |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose app data or game progress when I switch accounts?
Most likely yes. App data and game progress are typically tied to the specific account registered within the app. When you sign in with a new account, that data doesn’t carry over. You’ll essentially be starting fresh. Some apps may support transfer of data across accounts, but most do not. Be sure to back up any critical app data before making the switch.
What happens if I have remaining app store credit under my old account?
Any remaining gift card balances or app store credit on your old account will be forfeited after switching. Be sure to redeem any unused credit beforehand. Only the payment sources and gift cards associated with the new account can be used for purchases going forward.
Can I switch back to my old account later?
Yes, you can switch between accounts as often as needed. Just sign out of the current account and sign back into the old one. All of your previous purchases and data will be restored as long as you are using the same device. Switching accounts back and forth is seamless.
Do my app subscriptions transfer over?
Ongoing app or content subscriptions do not automatically transfer over to a new account. You will likely have to subscribe again under the new account. Check with the specific app provider first, as some may allow you to link subscriptions to a different account. But in most cases subscriptions will not carry over.
Can I merge multiple accounts into one?
Unfortunately account merging is not supported by app stores currently. You can only have one account linked at a time. Instead, you can switch between accounts as needed by signing in and out of them. Link all payment sources to each account to easily make purchases no matter which one you are signed into.
Troubleshooting Tips
Double check all apps are fully signed out – Be sure you are completely signed out of your old account on all apps and services before attempting to link the new account. Lingering connections may disrupt the process.
Restart your device – After switching accounts, restart your phone or tablet. This clears out any cached memory and ensures the new account takes effect properly.
Remove and re-add accounts – If switching accounts isn’t working, remove both your old and new accounts completely. Restart your device. Then freshly add only the new account you want linked.
Contact app support – If issues persist, contact the app store’s customer support for troubleshooting help. They can investigate issues with your specific account switch.
Switching Accounts on Multiple Devices
If you use multiple devices and want to change the linked account across all of them, the process needs to be repeated separately on each device:
On iPhones/iPads:
– Sign out of your Apple ID in Settings on each device
– Sign in to the App Store with your new account on each device
– Update payment details and re-download apps separately on each
You may be able to use the same payment details across all devices, but the account switch itself needs to be done individually.
On Android devices:
– Sign out of your Google account on each phone or tablet
– Add your new Google account and select it as primary
– Enter payment details and get your apps again on every device
As with Apple, you’ll have to go through the steps on each Android.
On Amazon devices:
– Sign out of your Amazon account on each Fire tablet
– Sign in with your new account on every device
– Enter payment methods for each and re-download apps one by one
Repeat the switching process on every Amazon device linked to your account.
While time consuming, this is the only way currently to change the linked account across multiple devices. Be sure to sign in to all media apps like iTunes, Google Music, Amazon Video, etc on each device as well.
Using Multiple Accounts at Once
If you prefer, it is possible to have multiple accounts linked on the same device and switch between them as needed:
On an iPhone/iPad:
– Add multiple accounts in Settings > Your Name > Media & Purchases
– Tap between them anytime to change
– Purchase history is separated between accounts
On Android:
– Add multiple Google accounts in Settings > Accounts
– Choose different account for Play Store purchases
– Apps install under the purchasing account
On Fire tablets:
– Have multiple Amazon accounts in Settings > My Account
– Switch accounts to make purchases as needed
– Apps download under account used to buy them
With multiple accounts on a single device, just sign out of one account and into the other to switch anytime. Keep payment methods up to date on both. App data is still separate between accounts.
Family Sharing Considerations
If you purchase apps for a family group or share content between family members, be sure to review how switching your linked account may impact sharing privileges:
For Family Sharing on iPhone/iPad:
– Your account change removes you from the family group
– You’ll need to be invited again under your new account
– Family members may lose access to any shared content
On Google Play Family Library:
– Leaving the family group cuts off access to shared apps
– You’ll need to be added again under the new account
– Previous app purchases may need to be re-shared
For Amazon Households:
– Your account change removes you from the household
– Admin will need to invite your new account to rejoin
– Media sharing permissions may need to be reset
Changing accounts often requires reconfiguring family sharing setups. Coordinate with family managers and members to minimize disruptions.
Business and Work Accounts
For accounts managed through an employer or school, be aware that switching your linked account affects work apps and data:
Managed Apple IDs through MDM:
– Signing out removes all managed apps and data
– Work data will not transfer over to new personal account
– Contact IT team to properly unregister device
G Suite managed Google Play accounts:
– Work apps must be reassigned to new account by admin
– Corporate email will no longer sync when switched
– Unenroll device through your organization
Amazon WorkSpaces accounts:
– WorkSpace must be disassociated before switching accounts
– Files and settings do not transfer to personal account
– Manage WorkSpace through administrator console
Be sure to fully disconnect from employer management before linking personal accounts. Keep work and personal logins separate.
Creating New Accounts for Switching
If you don’t already have an account to switch to, you’ll need to create one with the necessary app store:
New Apple ID:
– Open appleid.apple.com and select Create Your Apple ID
– Follow prompts to add email, password, basic info
– Verify email to complete setup of new account
New Google account:
– Go to accounts.google.com and click Create Account
– Enter your name, email, password to register new account
– Confirm email and account is ready for Play Store
New Amazon account:
– Visit www.amazon.com and select Start here underneath New Customer?
– Input your email, password, and personal info
– You’ll receive a verification email to complete account creation
Be sure to setup a strong, unique password when creating your new account. Avoid using passwords from existing accounts.
Conclusion
Switching the linked account on your device’s app store is a relatively painless process once you know the steps involved:
– Fully sign out of your old account
– Sign into your new account
– Update payment details
– Reinstall apps purchased under old account
Following best practices, like logging out of all apps and services associated with the old account, ensures a smooth transition. Take care to reconfigure family sharing settings, business account enrollments, and subscriptions under the new account. While app data doesn’t carry over, you can download your purchased apps again for free. With attention to key details, you can change the linked account on your iPhone, Android, Fire, or other device successfully.