Apple has long allowed users to sign into iTunes, the App Store, and other online services using their AOL accounts rather than an Apple ID, but as of March 31, that\u2019s going to stop. Fortunately for those affected, it\u2019s easy to convert your existing AOL login.<\/p>\n
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\u201cStarting March 31, 2015,\u00a0AOL will no longer allow customers to use their AOL Username (also known as an AOL Screen Name) to sign in to the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store,\u201d Apple explains in a new support document.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must convert your AOL Username\u00a0to an Apple ID in order to maintain access to the stores and to content you purchased previously.\u201d<\/p>\n
Apple stresses that it cannot support AOL accounts that have not been converted to an Apple ID past March 31, so if you don\u2019t transfer yours by that deadline, you\u2019re going to end up losing it. But don\u2019t worry, because it\u2019s an incredibly simple process.<\/p>\n
All you need to do is sign into iTunes using your account on a Mac or PC. You will then be prompted to convert your account automatically, so just follow the on-screen instructions. Once the process is complete, you\u2019ll have a new Apple ID.<\/p>\n
Your Apple ID will maintain all of the content you\u2019ve already purchased through iTunes, the App Store, and the iBooks Store, Apple says, and it will allow you to sign into iCloud and other Apple services. You\u2019re not going to lose anything when you make the switch.<\/p>\n