Why doesn't Apple allow changing your AppleID username?

Question

i realize this subject is best sent to Apple Feedback ("Contact Us" link found at the bottom right of most pages on Apple's site). I post here to hopefully assemble others who have the same questions or concerns, with the ultimate result being a call for action, that more than just me emails Apple to see if the change I discuss here, and others before this post have made, might finally happen as this is not a new concern.
I have several AppleIDs. Not by want, but by mistake. Like many, when you bought a new Mac device, during set up many mistakenly created a new AppleID instead of using their original existing one. Some people do want multiple AppleIDs and that's fine. This post is about those who don't, but once an AppleID is created you're stuck with it, other than not using it/them and trying to stick with using just one and setting all devices and your logging to be just one AppleID.
The problem is that many didn't realize we created other AppleIDs and started to use them and then find out that they can't be merged and certain fields can't be changed. Period.
For me, i bought a new device and then noticed my posts here in Discussions show my full name instead of my long used nickname. When registering my new device I must have unknowingly input my full name not realizing I was assigning both creating a new AppleID until I posted next in Discussions.
The problem can be that instead of one AppleID, you end up with 2 or more and each AppleID stores your data specific to that ID and our AppleIDs don't talk to each other. For Discussions, because I logged in over time with different AppleIDs, so my posting and Activity are broken up over my different IDs. We don't have the ability to see all our posts in one place, AKA one login, or one login that can access all our other AppleIDs.
So if I need to find a post I started or contributed to, I may have to login with each AppleID until I find it.
Many people have questioned why does Apple have such a strict policy about AppleIDs when for the user, it can and does complicate using Apple products, forcing us to remember which AppleID we used for which device, Discussions, iTunes, etc. Again, some want separate ApleIDs for each use, but for those that don't, we have to manage not to accidentally create additional AppleIDs and/or if you get stuck with multiple AppleIDs that you make sure you only use one and ignore the others to prevent your data being fractured among more than one AppleID.
Apple must have a reason for insisting that those with more AppleIDs than desired can't merge or change certain fields, but it certainly doesn't seem to benefit the user. So why is their policy in force and regardless, with enough outcry AKA Feedback... It might impact enough on Apple to make some changes.
SO if you don't like having multiple AppleIDs and wish to merge them/some or change some of the now unchangeable fields, please send Feedback to Apple - found in the lower right "Contact Us"
Thanks!

Answer 1

Steven Shmerler wrote:
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For me, i bought a new device and then noticed my posts here [1] in Discussions show my full name instead of my long used nickname. When registering my new device I must have unknowingly input my full name not realizing I was assigning both creating a new AppleID until I posted next in Discussions.
The problem can be that instead of [2] one AppleID, you end up with 2 or more and each AppleID stores your data specific to that ID and our AppleIDs don't talk to each other. For Discussions, because I logged in over time with different AppleIDs, so my posting and Activity are broken up over my different IDs. We don't have the ability to see all our posts in one place, AKA one login, or one login that can access all our other AppleIDs.
So if I need to find a post I started or contributed to, I may have to login with [3] each AppleID until I find it.
Many people have questioned why does Apple have such a strict policy about AppleIDs when for the user, it can and does complicate using Apple products, [4] forcing us to remember which AppleID we used for which device, Discussions, iTunes, etc. Again, some want separate ApleIDs for each use, but for those that don't, we have to manage not to accidentally create additional AppleIDs and/or if you get stuck with multiple AppleIDs that you make sure you only use one and ignore the others to prevent your data being fractured among more than one AppleID.
[5] Apple must have a reason for insisting that those with more AppleIDs than desired can't merge or change certain fields, but it certainly doesn't seem to benefit the user. So why is their policy in force and regardless, with enough outcry AKA Feedback... It might impact enough on Apple to make some changes.
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S....... S........
You are not alone. I am sure a lot of folks did exactly what you did, others found that they forgot passwords or security questions and the like.
[1] This seems solvable - if this identity is new, it could and should be changed by the Hosts
[2] Yep, that's the kicker (<- technical term) - the database holding all your posts uses your AppleID as the one solid 'keyword' to tie them all together, regardless of content  - there is probably yet another database for all Store issues - that seems a less daunting coding task to merge. But probably won't happen. A good source here among Hi-Levelers has told that a feature of iOS 8 (coming this Fall!!) will have 'family plan-like management features.  But I think it unlikely to extend to the discussions.
If you change that AppleID keyword, you lose all connectivity to those posts. Read on...
[3] I have a workaround for you: Go to each AppleID Profile page in A Seperate Tab. Even though you are not logged into each AppleID, you can still see everything about posts - you just can't set prefs. Not on one page, but for me, it would be easier to keep track of with it sorted by ID.
[4] Pardon my sarcasm, but make Sticky Note or something!! Seriously, just get it straight once and for all and keep it in a text file or spreadsheet if tits that complex.
[5] see 1-3. Apple will probably see your point with "Personal Information" on #1
Regarding your grass-roots effort, take care not to even insinuate a "P O L L" <- formatting mine. Super NoNo per ToU. Even if there were the effort made, I'll bet not enough folks suffer as you do to make a global change.
Best luck
CCC