Apple now allows purchase migration in the EU and UK Apfelpatient

Apple users have had a problem for a long time: purchases from the App Store or iTunes could not be transferred from one Apple account to another. So anyone who had used multiple Apple IDs over the years had to either switch between accounts or accept the loss of previous purchases. Apple now wants to solve this problem with a new migration tool. Initially, the function was only available in some countries, but now Apple has activated the EU and Great Britain. This means that users in these regions can now transfer their purchases between two Apple accounts.

Apple introduced the migration tool earlier this month. It allows purchases from the App Store or iTunes to be transferred from one Apple account to another, but only under certain conditions. Initially, there were restrictions because the feature was not available in all countries. With the latest change, however, Apple has removed the EU and the UK from the list of excluded regions. The only region where the tool is still not available remains India. Users in the EU or the UK can now try to migrate their purchases. The exact conditions for use are set out in an updated support document listed by Apple.

How does the Apple Account Purchase Migration Tool work?

The migration tool allows you to transfer purchases between two Apple IDs, provided both accounts are on the same device. There is one important requirement:

An account must be used for iCloud
The other account must be used for the App Store

If both accounts are logged in to an iPhone or iPad at the same time, the tool can be used to move purchases to the preferred account. The migration includes content from the App Store and iTunes, such as apps, music, movies, or books. However, there are limitations, as not all purchases can be transferred.

What restrictions are there?

Apple sets out a few conditions that must be met for the transfer to work. These are listed in detail on the company's support page. The restrictions include:

Not all content can be migrated
The transfer cannot be undone
Apple does not guarantee a complete and problem-free migration

There is no official information yet on which purchases are affected. Some users were able to successfully migrate apps and media content, while others were unable to do so.

Why is the migration tool important?

Many Apple users have used multiple accounts over the years, either by accident or because they were forced to create a new Apple ID at some point. Separate purchase histories were common, especially for families or users who used Apple services from different countries. With the new feature, Apple is offering the first opportunity to transfer content from one account to another. This is particularly useful for users who only want to use a single Apple account in the long term.

Transfer purchases from one Apple account to another

Purchase transfers between Apple accounts – a solution with pitfalls

With the purchase migration tool, Apple has introduced a function that many users have long wanted. After an initial test phase, the tool has now been activated in the EU and Great Britain, so that users there can transfer their purchases between Apple accounts. However, there are still some restrictions. Not all content can be migrated, and in some cases the transfer does not work properly. If you want to use the function, you should read the requirements beforehand and try out whether migration is possible. For users who want to combine their Apple purchases into a single account, this tool is a big step in the right direction. It remains to be seen whether Apple will improve the function further or activate more regions in the future. Looking for accessories? Our Amazon Storefront is your destination for high-quality products, including for HomeKit! (Image: Apple)