Apple ’s iCloud divine service , paired withiOS 5and Lion , offers user a whole wealthiness of new sync features , access to purchased content , and geolocation fun . unluckily , as iCloud is the companionship ’s fourth online serve iteration — fifth , if you count registering for base - level Apple IDs — trying to promote can be confusing at best , jibe - your - head - against - a - rampart - in - frustration at worst . To facilitate ease the pain ( and keep your walls dent - spare ) , we ’ve put together some common upgrading scenario for migrating to iCloud .
Some basics
Before we dive in , here are some canonical terms you should be familiar with .
MobileMe account : An account with Apple ’s previous sync service . A MobileMe score is a character of Apple ID .
iCloud account : An account with Apple ’s newfangled sync service . An iCloud explanation is a type of Apple ID .
If you have a separate account for purchases, you can add it to the Store pane in the Settings app.
Convert , merge , or ugprade to iCloud : If you have an Apple ID that isnotan iCloud account , you may convert it into one . If you have an Apple ID usedonlyfor leverage , you could exchange it to iCloud by logging intoicloud.com . If you have an active MobileMe account , you need to exchange it by go tome.com/move .
Hardware and software scenarios
By default , iCloud tolerate equipment running Io 5 and computers range OS X Lion . But what if you ’re still run Snow Leopard , or iOS 4 ? What do you lose when you unify your MobileMe report ?
What if I elevate to iCloud and I ’m still go Snow Leopard ( or Leopard ) ?
As Apple has yet to loose a plot for its early operating systems that enable iCloud in System Preferences , you wo n’t be capable to automatically sync your iCloud ring armour , touch , and calendar ; though you’re able to determine up sync for your mail and calendars by manuallyadding your iCloud account to Mail . You ’ll also be capable to access iCloud features via the iCloud website . When it comes to feature like papers in the Cloud , Photo Stream , and notice My Mac , however , you ’ll be left in the frigidness .
What if I raise to iCloud and I ’m still running iOS 4 ?
If you have a machine that ’s still race iOS 4 , you ’ll be able to activate retrieve Mydeviceby adding a MobileMe account under the Mail , Contacts , and Calendars pane in the configurations app , but you ’ll need toset up your iCloud mail , contacts , and calendarsmanually ( which requires a bit of legwork ) . As with iCloud on Snow Leopard , it ’s not theeasiestsetup , but doable . If you ’re presently syncing with MobileMe and like to avoid the bother , however , you may want to wait until you elevate your system ( or Apple relinquish a mend that adds iCloud support ) .
What am I going to miss if I move my MobileMe account to iCloud ?
If you have a separate account for purchases, you can add it to the Store pane in the Settings app.
After go your account , however , youwon’tbe able to sync Mac Dashboard whatchamacallit , keychains , Dock items , System Preferences , anddata from third - party Mac appsthat integrate with MobileMe .
I have a MobileMe family account . How can my family members and I move our accounts to iCloud ?
Since iCloud is a free service , the concept of “ family gang ” has pass away . As such , you’re able to move each MobileMe sub - chronicle over to its own iCloud account by heading tome.com/move .
Add a secondary iCloud account to your Mac from the Mail, Contacts & Calendars pane in System Preferences.
I have a MobileMe accountanda separate Apple ID . Can I merge them into an iCloud account ?
Not at this meter .
Single-user setup scenarios
If you ’re looking to move yourself — and yourself only — over to iCloud , here are various scenarios you may run into when contract up .
You have never purchased anything from Apple ( besides this brand - new equipment you now have in your hand ) . You do n’t know what an Apple ID is . You want to sign up for a gratis iCloud account : smashing ! you may do this one of three ways : sign up up from theicloud.comwebsite ; sign up from a mobile equipment running iOS 5 ; or sign up , using the iCloud dot of System Preferences , from your computer run OS X Lion .
You have a MobileMe account you use for synchronise and for purchasing item : If this MobileMe account is your only report , and you ’re running both iOS 5 and Lion , you’re able to lead on over tome.com/moveto change your account to iCloud .
You can sync mail, contacts, calendars, reminders, and notes with a secondary (or tertiary) iCloud account via the Mail, Contacts, and Calendars pane.
You have a MobileMe account for syncing , and a freestanding Apple ID for purchases : Move your MobileMe account to iCloud .
After you ’ve done so , you could add your memory credentials one by one . On an iOS equipment , open up the configurations app and intercept the Store fare . If you ’ve bestow your iCloud story to your equipment , you should see those certification lumber in ; lumber out and input the Apple ID you apply for purchases . On a Mac , open iTunes and go to Store - > Sign Out , then storehouse - > Sign In and sign in with your non - iCloud Apple ID .
You had an iTools/.Mac / MobileMe story , but stopped subscribing ; you still employ that mac.com/me.com name and address as your Apple ID for purchases : Convert your sure-enough story by going to the iCloud internet site and logging in with that invoice ’s credentials . you could also do this by log into iCloud on your iOS gimmick or Mac . ( On an iOS equipment , go to configurations - > iCloud ; on a Mac , go to System Preferences - > iCloud . )
You had an iTools/.Mac / MobileMe history , but stopped subscribing ; now you want to use that email address for iCloud , but you use a different Apple ID for purchases : commute that address to iCloud by using the method detailed in the scenario above .
You have a MobileMe family write up because you involve multiple electronic mail destination . You require to use one account for iCloud , but you still require to meet email on your other MobileMe account : commute both accounts to iCloud , unless you have some reason to stay on MobileMe ( see the division above on “ What am I going to lose if I move my MobileMe business relationship to iCloud ? ” ) . Set up iCloud on your devices with the score you previously used for MobileMe syncing .
To add your secondary email account on an iOS twist , go to preferences - > Mail , Contacts , Calendars - > Add Account - > iCloud . To add it on your Mac , go to System Preferences - > Mail , Contacts , & Calendars - > Add Account - > iCloud .
You have an Apple ID you expend for purchase items , but have never used MobileMe : Convert it to iCloud by logging into the iCloud website with your Apple ID ; you’re able to also do this by log into iCloud on your iOS machine or Mac . ( On an iOS equipment , go to preferences - > iCloud ; on a Mac , go to System Preferences - > iCloud . )
Multi-user setup scenarios
You have a MobileMe family account . Your substantial other has her own MobileMe account . You both want to switch to iCloud : Each of you’re able to convert your own chronicle to iCloud by lumber into the iCloud website with your Apple ID ; you’re able to also do this by logging into iCloud on your iOS gadget or Mac . ( On an iOS twist , go to options - > iCloud ; on a Mac , go to System Preferences - > iCloud . )
You have a MobileMe family account . Your meaning other has her own MobileMe invoice for syncing , but you both use your report for purchase . You both want to change over to iCloud : Each of you could convert your own account to iCloud by logging into the iCloud website with your Apple ID ; you could also do this by lumber into iCloud on your iOS twist or Mac . ( On an iOS machine , go to options - > iCloud ; on a Mac , go to System Preferences - > iCloud . )
After you ’ve done so , your significant other can change their entrepot credentials to your iCloud account . On an iOS machine , open up the options app and tap the Store menu . exit and input the account statement you use for purchases . On a Mac , open iTunes and go to computer storage - > Sign Out , then Store - > Sign In and have them enter with your iCloud account credentials .
Read more about sharing Apple Gem State with iCloud
You have a MobileMe family chronicle . Your significant other has her own MobileMe report for electronic mail . Your report is used for your e-mail , and you and your significant other parcel contacts , and calendars . You both want iCloud accounts for electronic mail , but you want to continue sharing contact lens and calendar : Each of you may convert your own account to iCloud by logging into the iCloud website with your Apple ID ; you may also do this by log into iCloud on your iOS gimmick or Mac . ( On an iOS twist , go to preferences - > iCloud ; on a Mac , go to System Preferences - > iCloud . )
you’re able to each have individual accounts but share contacts , calendar , mail , admonisher , and short letter . On an iOS gimmick , go to configurations - > Mail , Contacts , Calendars - > Add Account - > iCloud . This will enable you to synchronise with your significant other ’s mail , calendars , contacts , notes , or reminders — in plus to your own — by toggling the appropriate switches . ( They can also share your information by doing the same . ) Secondary iCloud account on a machine do n’t get approach to everything , however : Your significant other ’s report ca n’t be used for Safari bookmarker , Photo Stream , Documents and Data , Find My iPhone , or Backup .
On a Mac , you’re able to add a secondary account by going to System Preferences - > Mail , Contacts , & Calendars - > Add Account - > iCloud .
You have a MobileMe score you expend for syncing and purchase . Your family also use this report for purchases . Everyone wants to change to iCloud for syncing , but still habituate your account for purchases : win over your MobileMe account to iCloud by visitingme.com/move . Your other members of the family line can sign up for iCloud by going to the internet site or by setting it up on their Io 5- or Lion - enable equipment .
After everyone has set up their iCloud accounts , they can shift their Store credentials to your iCloud - née - MobileMe history . On an iOS gadget , open up the preferences app and tapdance the Store menu . lumber out and input the MobileMe account . On a Mac , exposed iTunes and go to memory board - > Sign Out , then Store - > Sign In and have them access with your iCloud account credentials .
You have an Apple ID you and your folk use for purchase . Everyone wants to switch to iCloud for sync , but still use your history for purchase : go away the Apple ID as - is . Make an iCloud write up for each phallus of your family by visit the website or by setting it up on their iOS 5- or Lion - enabled devices .
After everyone has set up their iCloud accounts , they can modify their depot credentials to your original Apple ID . On an iOS twist , open up the preferences app and bug the Store menu . sign out and input the Apple ID . On a Mac , open iTunes and go to computer memory - > Sign Out , then Store - > Sign In and have them sign in with your iCloud account credentials .
In short…
Ca n’t find your specific scenario above ? Here are a few ecumenical tips .
If you have an Apple ID that you require to use for sync and purchases : Convert it to iCloud .
If you desire to sync with one ID and purchase with another : Convert one to iCloud ; use the other to log into your computer storage credentials .
If you want to sync with multiple IDs : Hook up your master news report to your gimmick ; add up a junior-grade account for calendar and contacts syncing using the Mail , Contacts & Calendars Elvis in System Preferences on your Mac or in the configurations app on your iOS gimmick .
[ Serenity Caldwell is a faculty editor . ]
