new mac set up from windows user

SAM81 · 13 Jun 2026 at 19:22

hi all

Just picked up a macbook air today. Historically i have always had windows laptops and im struggling to set up the mac. I have previously had an apple account, i think from signing into my sons iphone and this was set up with a credit card that i no longer have. When setting up the mac, it's asking me to log into my apple account, but when i do it's asking me to verify the account with a CVV number from the now cancelled and expired credict card. I cannot remember what this is and it wont let me sign in to my account wirthout it. For now I have continued the setup without an account but this is not ideal. Any thoughts on what I shout do? I have logged into my apple accoubnt on my browser, deleted the offending card but no joy - it keeps asking for the CVV number!

Bluecube · 13 Jun 2026 at 19:31

Set up a new Apple account. Sounds as if you might need a fresh email address, something which Apple may set up for you. Can’t confirm as it’s been a while since I set up my account

SAM81 · 13 Jun 2026 at 19:35

Bluecube said:
Set up a new Apple account. Sounds as if you might need a fresh email address, something which Apple may set up for you. Can’t confirm as it’s been a while since I set up my account

Thanks

I did contemplate this, but I use my Gmail for everything. I hate having multiple email addresses. Has to be some solution.

nlel1975 · 13 Jun 2026 at 19:37

SAM81 said:
I did contemplate this, but I use my Gmail for everything. I hate having multiple email addresses. Has to be some solution.

The good thing about using an iCloud email address is that you can use it as a recovery account for your Gmail address.

whitecrook · 14 Jun 2026 at 16:25

SAM81 said:
Thanks

I did contemplate this, but I use my Gmail for everything. I hate having multiple email addresses. Has to be some solution.

unfortunately you will just have to hate it. Good thing is as mentioned below you can use the second email as a recovery for the first. This is a benefit. so a little less hate. Secondly, you don't actually have to use the apple email for well anything really other than logging into apple account, so it's fine really.

You can contact apple support they may be able to do something for you re the old account.

visibleman · 15 Jun 2026 at 11:56

SAM81 said:
...it's asking me to log into my apple account...

Assuming you've tried to login via the Apple account (https://account.apple.com) and iCloud websites (https://www.icloud.com) as well as your sons iPhone?
If you have access to the account from a device then you should be able to (remove old card and) add a new card and/or other verifications methods.

Otherwise you maybe able to get somewhere contacting Apple themselves and/or heading to your local Apple store/Genius Bar.

Failing that, it will be a new email address as Apple doesn't allow email aliases for the initial sign-up of an account, ie - you can't put [email protected] etc.