How to Change or Transfer the Primary Apple ID for an Apple Developer Account

Important Information

Only Apple Support can transfer primary ownership from one Apple ID to another
The primary account holder has ultimate control over all apps, certificates, and agreements
Transfers require verification and may involve legal documentation
The process typically takes 15-30 minutes once connected with Apple Support

How to Transfer Primary Apple ID Ownership

Follow these steps to transfer admin owner rights to a different Apple ID:

Step 1: Prepare Your Information

Have both Apple IDs ready (current owner and new owner)
Ensure the new Apple ID is already created at https://appleid.apple.com/
Know your Apple Developer account details (account name, membership ID if available)

Step 2: Log in to Apple Developer

Go to https://developer.apple.com/
Sign in with the current primary Apple ID

Step 3: Contact Apple Support

Click "Contact Us" in the upper right corner
Select the appropriate topic related to account management
Choose the phone call option
Apple will call you within seconds (phone number must be on screen)

Step 4: Request the Transfer

Clearly state to the Apple Support representative:

You want to transfer admin owner rights from the current Apple ID to a different Apple ID
Provide both Apple IDs when requested
Answer any verification questions

Step 5: Complete Verification

Apple Support will verify your identity
You may need to provide additional documentation for business accounts
Follow any additional instructions provided by the representative

Step 6: Confirm Transfer

Apple Support will process the transfer
Verify you can log in with the new primary Apple ID
Confirm all account access is working properly

Related Scenarios

Changing Your Email Address (Same Person)

If you just want to update the email for your existing Apple ID:

Go to https://appleid.apple.com/
Sign in with your current Apple ID
Navigate to "Sign-In and Security"
Click "Email" and update your email address
Verify the new email address

Note: This updates your Apple ID email but does not transfer ownership to another person.

Adding Additional Team Admins (Not Transferring Ownership)

To give others admin access without changing primary ownership:

Log in to App Store Connect at https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/
Click "Users and Access"
Click the "+" button to add a new user
Enter their Apple ID email
Select "Admin" role
Configure their access permissions
Send the invitation

Note: Additional admins have extensive permissions but the primary account holder retains ultimate control.

Business Entity Transfers (Company Sales or Mergers)

For legal business ownership changes:

Contact Apple Support (same process as above)
Select "Account Holder Transfer" option
Provide required legal documentation:
- Business transfer agreements
- Tax documentation
- Corporate registration documents
Follow Apple's formal transfer process
Allow additional processing time (can take several days)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I have multiple primary Apple IDs?
A: No, only one primary admin Apple ID is allowed per Developer account.

Q: Will my apps be affected during the transfer?
A: No, apps remain active during the transfer. All certificates and provisioning profiles stay associated with the account.

Q: How long does the transfer take?
A: Once connected with Apple Support, the actual transfer typically takes 15-30 minutes. Business entity transfers may take longer.

Q: What if I don't have access to the current primary Apple ID?
A: Contact Apple Support immediately. They have account recovery procedures but will require extensive verification.

Q: Can I reverse a transfer?
A: Yes, but you'll need to contact Apple Support again and go through the same process.

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues during this process:

Contact Apple Developer Support directly through the Developer portal
Have your membership details ready for faster assistance
Document any error messages or issues you experience