| Type | Identification Account |
|---|---|
| Platform | Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, iPhone, iPod Touch, iTunes, App Store, Apple Online Store, Game Center, Apple Support Communities |
| Website | http://www.apple.com |
Apple ID is an authentication system that Apple Inc. introduced for many of its products, such as iWork, the iTunes Store and the Apple Store.[1] Apple ID serves as an all-in-one account that allows users access to a variety of Apple’s resources. Because an Apple ID can be used on multiple products and services offered by Apple, it can also be called: Apple account, MobileMe account, iCloud account, .Mac account, iTunes Store account, and iChat account.[2]
Apple ID is available free-of-charge and can be obtained by signing up at My Apple ID webpage. An Apple ID is composed of two parts: username or user ID; password. The former must be a valid email address, for example "anyone@email.com," the latter is an alphanumeric string of at least 8 characters. The password is case sensitive.[3] When a user creates a new Apple ID, Apple will send a verification email to the email address that the user provided during registration. The user is required to follow the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that is included in the verification email to activate the account, then the user will be able to use his/her Apple ID.
Users can change their passwords, or personal information at the My Apple ID page by selecting the Manage your account link. Changes that a user makes to his or her Apple ID account, while he or she is using one Apple product, are also recognized by other applications where the user uses the same Apple Account (for example, the online Apple Store, MobileMe, or iPhoto).[3] To prevent fraud and help to protect a user’s identity, Apple requires the user to confirm the changes by following a verification URL that will be sent to the account’s email address. After confirming the changes, users can still be asked to verify their information the next time they use their Apple IDs to purchase on-line, e.g., on iTunes store.
Apple also allows users to change the name of their Apple IDs but the users are required to contact Apple customer service to make such change.
An Apple ID can be disabled for security reasons if the password is entered incorrectly multiple times. The user will be warned with the following error message when the account has been disabled: “This Apple ID has been disabled for security reasons".[4] Apple IDs and passwords can be retrieved by answering account security questions on iForgot.[5] For security reasons, Apple will not reset the password for an account.
Another error is "Your Apple ID has been disabled" without disclosure of a reason. The cause for this error is as yet unknown and resetting your password does not clear it. It has been reported as occurring on both iPhone and iPod touch devices as well as in iTunes. You can get this issue resolved by contacting iTunes store support at www.apple.com/support/itunes.
Apple IDs contain user personal information and settings. When an Apple ID is used to login into an Apple device, such as Apple iPhone or Apple iPod Touch, the device will automatically roam the user's settings associated to the Apple ID.
Apple ID also speeds up the process of setting up a new Mac OS X computer or iOS device. When a user first starts up a new product, he or she will be prompted to enter an Apple ID, if available. If the user enters the Apple ID as prompted, Mac OS X and iOS devices will bring the user straight to the desktop screen without performing the initial settings. The computer will automatically fill in all the personal data of the Apple ID into the device’s address book, contact information, and Apple Mail settings.
An Apple ID is required to register any Apple products or Apple Care Protection Plans on Apple's website. Product or protection plan registrations can be done quickly on Apple's register website by entering the serial number of the products and the Apple ID.
An Apple ID is needed to make a reservation at the Apple Genius Bar. Apple Genius Bar is a tech support service that is offered inside every Apple Retail Store. By using an Apple ID, users can schedule an appointment at any Apple Genius Bar to get help and support on all Apple products.
Apple Discussions is a user-to-user support forum where Apple experts and users get together to discuss Apple products.[6] Any user can browse and read the discussion forum without the need of an Apple ID. However, an Apple ID gives the user the ability to participate in Apple Discussion website such as allowing the user to ask questions about any Apple hardware or software products, to receive help, tips, and solutions from other Apple users.
If a customer needs to send an Apple Product via mail to Apple for maintenance, the customer needs to have an Apple ID in order to perform such a request. The ID can also be used to track the status of the requested service.
Furthermore, an Apple ID can be used to schedule a supported phone call from Apple technical support to guide the customer through the process of setting up systems or to perform certain tasks such as using Time Machine software on MAC OS X to back up data or calibrating the color of the Apple Cinema Display.
An Apple ID is needed to file rebate claims on the Apple Rebate website. The process of filing a claim is very simple. The user will only need to log in with an Apple ID and provide the transaction numbers of the purchases. All of the needed information such as mailing address and customer name will be completed by the Apple ID.
iWork Publishing allows an Apple ID user to upload and share iWork projects such as Pages, Numbers, and Keynotes. The published contents can be viewed publicly or by a certain number of people that the user invites. The user, who uses iWork.com, does not need to know whether his or her colleagues use a Mac or a PC.[7] Since iWork is a web based service, anyone with a web browser and internet connection can use it.
FaceTime is a video calling feature for iPhone 4, Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher and the fourth generation iPod touch. Although an Apple ID is not required to use FaceTime on the iPhone 4, it is required to use FaceTime on the Mac and the iPod touch. An Apple ID serves as an alternative on these devices, because both the Mac and iPod touch lack a phone number.[8][9]
An Apple ID allows an iPhoto or Aperture user to place orders of photo prints or photo books directly through the iPhoto and Aperture application. The Apple ID will provide the shipping information as well as payment for the order. Users only need to choose the photos they would like to print, choose the printing service, and place the order.
An Apple ID is not required to place an order on Apple Online Store. Apple lets buyers place orders on its online store without an Apple ID by using the Guest Checkout Feature. An Apple ID and the Guest Checkout Feature both allow the customer to access order info such as invoice, check order status as well as track shipping package. However, Apple IDs allow users to customize their Apple Online Store experiences. Users can: save items they are interested in purchasing; save a cart if they are almost ready to place an order; save shipping and billing addresses and payment information to speed up the checkout process; use 1-Click ordering on Apple’s website and check Apple Gift Card balances.[10]
An Apple ID can also be used to access Apple developer resources such Xcode and iOS SDK. However, in order to use an Apple ID on Apple developer website, the user needs to provide more personal information such as what kind of applications the user plan to develop, what are the primary markets for the products, and what are the primary platforms the user interested in developing for.
An Apple ID that has been registered at Apple Developer Connection website and enrolled in a Developer Program can be used to purchase Apple hardware products at discounted rates. In addition, the ID can be used to access pre-released software from Apple, get support from Apple engineers, and be able to attend the World Wide Developers Conference.
Apple ID gives users access to other Apple resources including:
To purchase digital media such as movies and music on the iTunes Store or the App Store, an Apple ID is required. A user can use Apple ID and password to sign in to the iTunes Store or App Store to buy content, or authorize items the user has purchased. The ID is the proof of ownership for the content the user has purchased from iTunes Store or the AppStore.
For iTunes, an Apple ID is authorized to copy purchased content on up to 5 computers.
For the AppStore, an Apple ID allows the user to re-download their purchased content an unlimited amount of times for one iOS device. If a user has multiple iOS devices, providing that all the purchased content has been synced with iTunes under one Apple ID, the user can copy the purchased content onto new devices by connecting them to iTunes while the ID has been logged in. Apple has not confirmed exactly how many devices can use the purchased content of one ID.
According to Apple support "Your Apple ID can have up to 10 devices and computers (combined) associated with it." http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4627
An Apple ID is required to access iTunes Ping, also known simply as Ping. iTunes Ping is a software-based, music-oriented social networking and recommendation system service developed and operated by Apple.
Since Apple ID contains all of the user's personal information, including credit card and bank account number, a stolen Apple ID could be very costly to its owner. A person who has the access to an other person's Apple IDs can use it to purchase physical products on the Apple Online Store such as new Macintosh computer, iPod etc. Furthermore, a stolen ID can also be used to purchase digital products such as movies, music, books, and apps on the iTunes, App, or Mac App store without notifying the ID owner. As a result, Apple ID became one of the most sought after targets of identity theft. Stolen Apple IDs sometimes can be found available for sale on online-market such as ebay.com, craigslist.org, or ioffer.com.
It is important to keep user’s sign in credentials secure to reduce the chances of his or her Apple ID and personal information from being compromised. The following tips from Apple will help to reduce the risk of theft or stolen identity[11]: