Is it possible to have 2 iCloud accounts on 1 iMac?

Question

I share an iMac with my husband, and we each have iPhones and an iPad. We have individual iCloud accounts and I wish to now purchase more storage to back up our endless photos, but on my account. I can't seem to work out how to create 2 iCloud accounts on the iMac because he already has his set up as the default one on it.  If I go to sign out it starts asking about deleting content etc, is it not possible to simply add another account and then switch users within iCloud?  Or would I need to set up a new profile on the computer so we each have one, and then could I create a new iCloud account on that profile for me?  However, all my photos and documents are under his profile.  I'm confused!  Doesn't take much….. Thank you for any help you can give.

Answer 1

You must create separate user accounts on the computer. One for you and one for your husband. Each of you should use your individual Apple IDs and each account so you will each have completely separate iTunes Libraries. Note that in so doing one of you will not be able to use any purchased items bought using the other's Apple ID. These items will need to be re-purchased under you own Apple ID.
In order for this to work you each log onto the computer with your own user account. To make things easier you can enable Fast User Switching in order not to have to always log out and log in.
Using More than One iDevice on the Same Computer
This applies mainly to couples who are adding another device and do not want their email, messages, etc. being duplicated on both devices. To begin read: How to use multiple iPhone, iPad, or iPod devices with one computer. You need to establish a separate Apple ID and password for whomever will use the new iDevice. See Apple - My Apple ID and Frequently asked questions about Apple ID. The easiest way is to do this on the computer using iTunes: iTunes- How to set up an Apple ID within iTunes.
On the computer create a new user account for the person with the new iDevice. This will be the user account that person will always use. He/She will no longer use the other user account. This way that person will have a separate iTunes Library
Start by transferring the new device(s) to a new account along with all your data.  Save any photo stream photos that you want to keep to your camera roll (unless they are already in the camera roll) by opening your Photos app, tap on Albums icon at the bottom. Now, tap on My Photo Stream album; tap Select; tap on the photos you want to select;, tap the share icon (box with upward facing arrow) in the lower left corner; then tap Save to Camera Roll.
If you are syncing notes with iCloud that you want to keep then you need to open each of your notes and email them to yourself. Later you can copy and paste the text into new notes created in your new account.
Tap on Settings > iCloud > Delete Account (only deletes it from this device, not from iCloud; the person keeping the current account will not be affected,) provide the password to turn off Find My Phone and choose Keep on My iDevice when prompted.  Sign in with a different Apple ID to create your new account. Choose Merge to upload your data.
Once you are on separate accounts, you can each go to icloud.com and delete the other person's data from your account.
Note: The essence of the above was created by user, randers4. I
have made substantial changes to improve readability and syntax.