With the release of iOS 18.1, Apple has introduced a much-needed feature that simplifies managing your Apple Account. Users can now easily set and change their primary email address, a key detail that's visible when collaborating, sharing documents, or sending calendar invites. This update significantly improves convenience for Apple users who need more flexibility with their contact details.

Here's how to set your main email address simplified in a few easy steps.

What is the Primary Email in iOS 18.1?

How to Change Your Primary Email in iOS 18.1

The primary email address is the email associated with your Apple Account—or Apple ID which you will see when you collaborate with others, share calendar invites, or share documents. MacRumors said that it was a tough nut to crack to change this address before iOS 18.1.

The old procedure was very inconvenient and laborious and consisted of the deletion of the old email along with subsequent passage through a multi-step verification for the assignment of a new email address.

Now, with iOS 18.1, all these are a cakewalk: you can alter your email and still use the old one for logging into your account. This flexibility guarantees that the process becomes less cumbersome for users, saving their private information from access attempts due to published changes in contact details.

How to Change the Primary Email Address on iPhone using iOS 18.1

You can easily change the primary email address on your iPhone using iOS 18.1 through simple steps as follows.

1. Open the Settings App: Open iPhone or iPad's Settings app.
2. Tap to Your Apple ID: Tap your name at the top of the Settings menu to access the Apple ID settings.
3. Add a Primary Email Option: Now you will find an option to add a "Primary" email address in the Apple ID settings.
4. Select a New Primary Email: you will receive a list of email addresses that you want to use as your new primary email.
5. Save and Verify: the system will confirm the new primary email and then activate it, so it will be the default email when you send messages or share and disclose contents, but you can still log in using your old email.

Manage your Apple ID Email

One of the many improvements in iOS 18.1 is retaining the old Apple ID email for logging in with it even after setting up a new primary email. This way, you won't have to follow a lengthy procedure of changing login credentials on all your devices but would have a major impact on how your email is displayed to others while working or sharing files with them.

iOS 18.1 gives users more control over their iCloud.com or me.com email addresses. You can replace an embarrassing old iCloud email with something more professional or personalized if you want.

Until now, in the early versions of iOS, you could only set up an alias to replace the original email. However, in some situations, it still left the original email visible, which wasn't particularly nice. You now get to completely wipe out the original iCloud email and not use an alias.

Why This Update Is A Game-Changer

This update change is an absolute game-changer for Apple users wanting full control over their digital identity's privacy. Perhaps you've outgrown that old iCloud email, or you just want to seem more professional and classy, however, iOS 18.1 will find it easier to manage email settings with your Apple ID.

Especially for professionals making extensive use of the Apple ecosystem for collaboration and document sharing, the ability to change and manage email visibility is important. Moreover, an email address very possibly is the most publicly visible piece of personal information you have on the internet, and iOS 18.1 locks this area down so that you remain in charge of what others see.