When switching apple IDs to a new email account do you need to reinstall apps, previously downloaded under the old id, with the new ID? can having apps from both old an new apple ID cause problems with connecting to microsoft office on my new phone

Background. I had an apple ID that I used in my household and my iphone. I then needed to change my appleid because I am getting divorced and wanted to setup my own account (not shared by household). if my Iphone had apps from my original apple ID (based on hotmail) and then I change my id (based on gmail) does the phone care if apps were purchased/added under both ids.

I am trying to install my new iphone 18 and having trouble connecting - we think it is an office issue but considering office and iphones should be compatibile - I thought this could be a background issue that is causing me not to be able to sync my outlook contacts into the native apple contact app.

I also noticed that my phone prompted me at some point for my old hotmail account.

crazy question but any feedback is appreciated. any suggestion on how to fix other than to use the app store under the gmail account and redownload all the apps.

thx

Posted on Oct 3, 2026 8:47 AM

1 reply

Limnos

Level 10 (462,771 points)

Oct 3, 2026 8:58 AM in response to kkfrombk71

Apps already on the phone will continue to work. However, they will not update or re-download when you get a new iPhone. So basically you need to get new copies associated with your new ID. They have to be purchased with the new account. In fact to take this a step farther and to avoid previous account issues, you should entirely reset the phone as if it has a new owner (which is will since the account is different). Refer to:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Normally it is a lot easier to simply change the email address used with the same account, but to me it sounds like you are having to abandon the old account. One small exception is is you want to take the apps with you. Have a look at these articles and see if they better suit your needs:

If you do wish to migrate purchases, Apple has several lengthy and detailed articles about doing this, including limitations:

- Purchases can be migrated from a secondary to a primary Apple Account to consolidate them. (This feature isn’t available to users in India.) —> Migrate purchases from one Apple Account to another Apple Account - Apple Support

- Learn about what purchases and associated content can be migrated between two accounts. —> About migrating Apple Account purchases between accounts - Apple Support