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January 20, 2014
What is my Apple ID?
So, Apple is a nightmare of oversimplification. They try to make you think that "it just works", when, in fact, it seldom works, in my experience.
Tonight, I tried to do a simple "Find My iPhone" test. And, needless to say, it didn't work.
Even though I have my iPhone right in front of me, and it's turned on, I can't find it using Apple's software.
This YouTube video looks like all would be simple enough. But it didn't work for me.
Basically, you're supposed to go to www.icloud.com and put in your Apple ID (whatever that is).
The problem seems to be that I have multiple Apple ID's (whatever those are). Then, you also have your iCould accounts/id's. It's maddeningly confusing to me, quite honestly.
So, then I began to wonder...what is the Apple ID on my phone? Now, this is not a simple question. Initially, I was using Jennifer's Apple ID on my phone. But, I began having problems when I was trying to play a game with a girl at work, so I had to break down and create my own Apple ID and put my own Apple ID into the phone, and stop using Jen's. At this point, it meant that some of my Apps were installed under Jen's Apple ID, and some of my apps were installed under My Apple ID. Confusing as shit. I know. But this is what happened.
So now, I'm running this bastardized iPhone with software installed under multiple Apple ID's. A fucking nightmare.
There is a way on the iPhone, as it turns out, to identify what the Apple ID is.
In iOS 5, go to Settings - Store.
In iOS 6, it's Settings - iTunes and App Stores.
Mine says "rob@wispertel.net"
But, if I go into Settings - iCloud, it says "robkiser12@gmail.com".
So, that's kind of confusing.
Now, as I research this...I learn that I have, in fact, created at least two Apple ID's.
Every iCloud account is, by definition, also an Apple ID. So, if you're using different Apple ID's/(email accounts) for iTunes and for iCloud then you are, in fact, using two different Apple ID's at once. But wait...it gets better...
You can't merge the two Apple ID's into one because, well, because Apple says so. They don't provide that functionality.
Also, it used to be that, initially, your Apple ID could be something other than an email address. It could just be a username. But now, they've changed that also so that you have to use an email address for your Apple ID.
OK. So, on my iPhone, I'm using at least two different email addresses/Apple ID's. Possibly more. But at least two. And they can't be merged. Nice.
This guy seems to explain my nightmare better than anyone else I've found so far.
So, I look at Jen's phone...she has the same email address for both the iCloud and the Apple Store. And they're both her wispertel.net account. So, I decide that I'll do the same thing. And I don't care if I have to berate everyone in the Apple store to do it.
The problem is that, if I go from Settings - iCloud - Account, I can't change my "Apple ID" to my wispertel account. Hmmmm.
This video seems shows how to change your iCloud Applid/email account.
That seems to have worked. I deleted my iCloud account. Then, I added a new iCloud account under my existing Apple ID of rob@wispertel.net.
Now, it appears that both the Apple Store and iCloud are using the same Apple ID. WTF, Apple? Why did you make that so fucking confusing? If Steve Jobs were alive today he'd be spinning in his grave.
Finally, I was able to do the first successful test of "Find My iPhone". Basically, you go to www.icloud.com and sign it with your Apple ID and password. (Now, I have only one for my iPhone and I know what it is). Then, your iPhone shows up on a map. But, it didn't seem like it would be able to help me find it within the house. Basically, the map shows it as two green circles laying on the ground outside. But, at least it gets me pretty close.
I think there's a way to make it start beeping/ringing, if it's not dead. Of course, I guess I could call it.
Posted by Rob Kiser on January 20, 2014 at 4:51 PM
Comments
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