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I have an iPhone 4S that uses account "B" for iCloud and account "A" for iTunes. I also have an iTunes installation (on a Windows 7 machine) that is authorized for account A. I have many apps installed and configured on the iPhone, several of them cost money.

I now wish to switch over to using only iTunes account B on both the iPhone and the iTunes installation. What is the smoothest way to do this?

I am worried about several aspects, mainly apps: What will happen to the apps? Will they be erased? Will they keep their settings? I am not looking to avoid paying, I am fully prepared to pay (on account B) for the apps that cost money. Should I do that on the PC before switching accounts on the iPhone? Do I have to do anything about the free apps? Will all apps keep updating after switching account?

The FAQs I've read about this action state that it is possible, but not really what will happen to apps and settings: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1311#

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If you switch your iTunes account on the phone from account A to account B all your apps from account A will still exist on your phone and will function properly.

The only issue you will face will be with updates. Every time an update wil exist for one of the apps in account A, you will get the numbered badge on the app store app. However, you will not see the update in the app store itself until you switch accounts back from account B to account A.

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To completely switch over to your Account B and ensure that it all goes smoothly, I would suggest that you redownload (and repurchase) all your apps via account B. As you backed up your account to the Account B iCloud, you will easily be able to restore your app data by restoring it from there.

First, backup everything. Then reset your iPhone by deleting all content and settings and while setting up your iPhone, choose to restore from your iCloud backup. All you apps will be downloaded automatically in the order on your screen.

Here is a simple guide: Link

From Apple's knowledgebase :

Backed-up information includes purchased music, TV shows, apps, and books*; photos and video in the Camera Roll; device settings (for example, Phone Favorites, Wallpaper, and Mail, Contacts, Calendar accounts); app data; Home screen and app organization; Messages (iMessage, SMS, and MMS), ringtones, and more. Media files synced from your computer aren’t backed up, but can be restored by syncing with iTunes.

You can read this from the knowledgebase: iCloud: Backup and restore overview

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  • Are you saying that I could restore individual apps? I do not think that is possible. If you are suggesting a full restore, that would overwrite the iTunes account settings and restore the old value. – Klas Mellbourn Feb 27 '12 at 7:04
  • Restoring individual apps isn't possible. I am suggesting a full restore, but from an iCloud backup which include your app data. – AgentAkki Feb 27 '12 at 7:25

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