Use your mobile phone number as your Apple ID
When you create a new Apple ID in China mainland or India, you can use your mobile phone number as your Apple ID username.
Here's how it works
When you set up an iPhone or iPad, you’ll have the option to sign in with your existing Apple ID or create a new account. If you create a new Apple ID on an iPhone in iOS 11 or later, you can use your mobile phone number as your Apple ID username in China mainland and India. If you live in China mainland, use your (+86) mobile phone number. If you live in India, use your (+91) number. Depending on your network provider, you may also be able to create a new account with a mobile phone number on some Android devices, smart TVs and streaming devices. Just choose Create Your Apple ID from the Apple ID sign-in screen and follow the instructions to create your new account.
After your account has been created, you can use it to sign in to any Apple device or service. Whenever you sign in to a new device, app or service, you'll need to enter your mobile phone number – including the country code – and your password. Make sure you use the same Apple ID everywhere you sign in so your Apple devices and services work together seamlessly.
If you already have an Apple ID username that’s an email address, you may not be able to change it to a mobile phone number. However, you can associate your account with different phone numbers or email addresses on your Apple ID account page. Then you can use those phone numbers or email addresses to sign in to your Apple ID.
What you need
Here’s what you’ll need to use your mobile phone number as your Apple ID username:
iPhone or iPad with iOS 11 or later
Mac with macOS High Sierra or later
Apple Watch with watchOS 4 or later
Apple TV with tvOS 11 or later
Apple.com, iCloud.com and other Apple web properties*
Apple services on third-party devices
*Depending on how you created your Apple ID, you may be prompted to change your Apple ID username from a mobile phone number to an email address. You may also need to provide additional information.
Account security
Depending on where you created your account and how much personal information is associated with it, account security requirements may vary. When using an Apple device, it’s best to use two-factor authentication. In some cases, you may be prompted to review or upgrade your security when signing in on an Apple device or an Apple website.
Messages from Apple
Since there isn’t an email address associated with a mobile phone number-based Apple ID, communications from Apple will be delivered to you through Messages on your iPhone or iPad and appleid.apple.com.
To make sure you receive important account-related messages on your iPhone or iPad, sign in to iCloud, Messages and FaceTime with your phone number Apple ID. If you sign in to iCloud on an iPhone or iPad without a SIM card, you can’t use FaceTime and Messages. You can always see your messages from Apple on appleid.apple.com.
Change your Apple ID to a different mobile phone number
Depending on the country or region you live in and how you created your Apple ID, you may be able to change your Apple ID to a different mobile phone number from your Apple ID account page, or on your iPhone or iPad.
In China mainland, your new Apple ID must be another (+86) mobile phone number. In India, your new Apple ID must be another (+91) mobile phone number.
On the web
Sign out of every Apple service and device that uses your Apple ID.
Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in.
In the Sign-In and Security section, click Apple ID.
Enter the mobile phone number you want to use as your Apple ID, then select Change Apple ID.
A verification code will be sent to you on that number. Enter the verification code from the text into the fields provided.
On your iPhone or iPad
Sign out of every Apple service and device that uses your Apple ID, except the one you’re using to change your Apple ID.
Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security.
Next to Email & Phone Numbers, tap Edit.
Tap Delete
next to your phone number and follow the instructions.After you've entered the mobile phone number that you want to use as your Apple ID, a verification code will be sent to you on that number. Enter the verification code from the text into the fields provided.
If your new mobile phone number is already connected to your Apple ID as a Messages phone number, shared phone number or trusted phone number, then you won't need to verify it.
Didn't receive a code? In some cases, your trusted phone number can be verified automatically in the background on your iPhone. It’s one less thing to do, and your account will still be protected with two-factor authentication.
Change your Apple ID to an email address
You may be prompted to change your Apple ID username to an email address if you no longer own the mobile phone number being used as your Apple ID. You can also change your Apple ID username from a mobile phone number to an email address to make sign-in and recovery easier.
Sign out of every Apple service and device that uses your Apple ID, except the one you’re using to change your Apple ID.
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security.
Next to Email & Phone Numbers, tap Edit.
Tap Delete
next to your phone number and follow the instructions.After you enter the email address that you want to use as your Apple ID, a verification code is sent to you at that address. Enter the verification code from the text into the fields provided.
If you move to a different country or region
You can change your Apple ID username to a new mobile phone number or an email address. Make sure the mobile phone number can be verified by SMS. First, change your Apple ID country or region. Then follow the steps to change your Apple ID to a new mobile phone number or to an email address.
If someone else uses your phone number as their Apple ID
It’s possible that someone who owned your phone number previously is still using that number as their Apple ID username. In this case, you won’t be able to use your phone number to sign in to your own Apple ID. You can still sign in with the email addresses on file in your Apple ID account.
The previous owner of your phone number won’t be able to access any of your account information or use your number for iMessage and FaceTime. It’s simply the Apple ID username they use to sign in to their own account.
In order for you to use your phone number to sign in to your Apple ID, the previous owner of your phone number would have to change their Apple ID username to a different mobile phone number or email address.
