Apple ID

Beginning on June 15, any third-party apps that use your iCloud account will be required to employ app-specific passwords in order to beef up security around your Apple ID. This includes any mail, contact or calendar services that use your Apple ID login to access your iCloud data, such as Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, etc. On June 15, you will automatically be signed out of any apps that you are signed into with your Apple ID and you will need to create a password specifically for the app in question.

A group of hackers claims to have access to a large number of iCloud and Apple email accounts. Allegedly there are hundreds of millions of stolen accounts and passwords in the database, which media outlets have not been able to fully verify. Apple responded by confirming there have been no breaches in any of their systems. So where did the Apple accounts leak from?

Apple will soon cease support for signing into the iTunes Store with AOL screen names. Those wishing to continue using iTunes or access previous purchases must convert their AOL sign in information into an Apple ID. The change will take effect on March 30, after which Apple will not provide support for AOL Username accounts.

iTunes users needing to convert to an Apple ID can sign in normally with their AOL screen name, and Apple will automatically ask to make the conversion. Once the process is complete, the Apple ID will retain access to all previous content purchased with the AOL Username in the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store. No other AOL services connected to the AOL screen name will be affected.

Creating a new Apple ID no longer requires a credit card to be linked to the account. For those who are only interested in accessing free content, skipping the credit card entry can save some hassle. It can also be a good to way to prevent any spending on a device. Without a payment method linked to the Apple ID, purchasing any items that cost money will be impossible.

There is a trick to creating an Apple ID without a credit card. The process must begin in the App Store on an iOS device or in iTunes. First, make sure you are not logged in using an existing Apple ID. Sign out if necessary then open the App Store to follow these steps: