HT4436 Replace iCloud account with new

Question

I currently have my phone set up with an old apple account and email. I want to replace it to use my new email and apple id, but if i delete the icloud account will I lose all of my data such as picutes, contacts etc?

Answer 1

If you want to change your iCloud ID to another existing ID you'll have to delete the account, create a new account with the correct ID, and migrate your data to the new account.  To do this, first go to Settings>iCloud on your phone and turn all data you are syncing with iCloud (contacts, calendars, etc.) to Off.  When prompted choose to keep the data on your iPhone.  After everything is turned off, scroll to the bottom and tap Delete Account.  Next, set up a new iCloud account using your other ID, then turn syncing for your data (contacts, etc.) back to On.  When prompted, choose Merge.  This will upload the data to your new account.
This will not move your photo stream pictures, however.  If you have pictures in photo stream that you haven't backed up anywhere else you will need to save these before deleting the account.  If your computer is syncing with your iCloud account, you can download your photo stream photos to your computer directly.  If not, you will need to save your photo stream photos manually.  You can either open them one by one, tap the share arrow, the choose Save to Camera Roll, or use an app like PhotoSync, which will transfer photos from your photo stream album on your phone wirelessly to your computer all at once.  (Your computer will only import camera roll photos, not photo stream photos.)