How to Save Money by Merging Two Apple Accounts on a Device When Both Had Purchases

Wendy Howell -

The longer you have used iPhones and iPads, the more likely it is that you have more than one account associated with these devices. This can happen more easily than you think and often happened when people purchased and set up new devices or if they lost access to an email and needed to change it. Luckily, there is a way to merge most items previously purchased on an older account with your current Apple account.

This post demonstrates how to save money by merging two apple accounts on a device when both accounts had unique purchases.

How to Save Money by Merging Two Apple Accounts on a Device When Both Had Purchases

Any time you set up a new Apple iPhone or iPad, you are required to create an account associated with it so you can make purchases from the app store. Originally, these accounts were iTunes accounts, but more recently they have been replaced by Apple accounts which are supposed to be a universal account for all purchases in the Apple sphere.

However, if you managed to have more than one Apple account, iTunes or otherwise, there is a way to merge these accounts if you are using iOS 18.

To merge two Apple accounts, including purchases:

  • Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad device.
  • In the Settings window, tap your account name at the top.

Open Settings and tap on your account at the top of the screen.

  • In the Apple Account screen, tap "Media & Purchases"

In the Apple Account menu, tap "Media & Purchases".

  • In the slide-up menu, tap "View Account".

In the slide-up menu, tap "View Account".

  • This should show the account you are currently logged into your device with, meaning the account connected to any Apple purchases.
  • Once you have verified these accounts are the same, close the window.
  • Tap "Media & Purchases" again.
  • This time, tap "Sign Out" on the slide-up menu.

This time, click on "Sign Out" to sign out of the account currently associated with purchases.

NOTE: This only signs out of the portion of the account that is associated with purchases. This step has to be done before you can connect the second account and import your other purchases.

  • Now that the account associated with purchases has been removed, tap "Media & Purchases" again and this time you will need to sign into the secondary account.
  • Type the email associated with the secondary account associated with purchases you have made.

Enter the email address of the second account where you have purchases.

  • Type the password for this account.
  • Tap "Continue".

Type in the password to the account and click the "Continue" button at the bottom.

  • This will sign you into the secondary account.

Signing into the secondary account with purchases.

  • On the Apple Account page, you should now see an account listed at the top under your name as well as the second account listed under "Media & Purchases".

Now you should have two different accounts showing up for your main account and the account associated with Media & Purchases.

  • Tap on Media & Purchases and select "View Account" again.
  • In the Account Settings pop-up window, scroll down and tap "Migrate Purchases".

Tap "Migrate Purchases" in the Account Settings window.

  • The next window shows both accounts on the device and how each is used.
  • Tap "Continue".

Both accounts are shown along with what they each do.

  • If you have not logged into the secondary account for some time, you may be prompted to verify the payment method.
  • Click "Verify" to perform this process.
  • If you no longer have access to this card, simply enter a new card.

If prompted, verify the details about the credit card originally used for this account or enter a new card.

  • The next screen summarizes the direction the purchases are moving.
  • Click "Continue".

The account migration is clarified in this screen.

  • The next two screens explain what will and will not be migrated.
  • Click "Continue".

This summarizes what can and cannot be merged.
Click "Continue" to accept the terms.

  • Click the "Migrate" button at the bottom to start the migration if you accept the terms of the migration.

Click "Migrate" to begin the migration process.

  • Once the migration is complete, you will receive a message.
  • Click "Done" to close the migration window.

Once the migration is complete, you will get a window showing it has finished successfully.

Merging two Apple accounts so you can consolidate purchases in a single location is a great way to save money and not be forced to purchase apps and media a second time. Before iOS 18, merging accounts and migrating purchases was not an option. Unfortunately, if you have been an Apple user for a long time, having two accounts is common and can be really frustrating when it comes to updating apps or accessing media. Following the steps above can be done in about 15 minutes if you have the account credentials for the second account and is worth the savings of both money and frustration!

As always, knowing what tools are available in an ever-changing environment is key in saving time and money!