Apple Inc. has posted the following FAQ:
What’s happening to MobileMe?
Effective June 6, 2011, if you had an active MobileMe account, your service has been automatically extended through June 30, 2012, at no additional charge. After this, the MobileMe service will no longer be available.
What will happen to the content I have on MobileMe?
Apple has announced a new service called iCloud which will be available this fall and free for iOS 5 and OS X Lion users. When you sign up for iCloud, you’ll be able to keep your me.com or mac.com email address and move your MobileMe mail, contacts, calendars, and bookmarks to the new service.
When iCloud becomes available this fall, more details and instructions will be provided on how to make the move.
Can I create a new MobileMe account?
You can no longer create a new 60-day trial account or start a new subscription using a code contained in a MobileMe box. However, if you have a Family Pack subscription, you can still create new family member accounts.
Can I upgrade to a Family Pack or purchase additional storage?
Effective June 6, 2011, you can no longer upgrade your Individual account to a Family Pack or purchase additional storage for your MobileMe account.
I purchased a MobileMe box and have not used the activation code inside. Can I get refund for it?
Yes. If you have an unused activation code from a MobileMe box, you can submit a refund request. More info here.
“Opinion, Mr. Spock.”
“Fascinating.”
“Explain.”
“I can’t. Insufficient data.”
“Hypothesize.”
“It would seem…”
Doesn’t really answer much.
What do MobileMe family pack users do? Each get their own iCloud account? My family uses 1 iTunes account for everyone so all purchased content is shared.
Why give users an extension to a service that’s being replaced by a free one?
Transition time to move your stuff to the new servers and accounts before MobileMe evaporates.
… move my iWeb sites to?
I guess I could apply the $99 I’ll be saving yearly to a low-cost hosting service. What’s available for close to, or less than, $8 per month? 5GB of storage is Good Enough, more would feel good.
I think the extension is a grace period where you can move your stuff over to the iCloud when you’re ready. that’s why it’s free. Many people will move right away. I sure will. I want the services.
Since iCloud is free, there is no reason for a family pack. Home Sharing probably already takes care of your concern about sharing music.
You can share purchased content with multiple accounts (you always could!)
Vuja de?
If I’m remembering correctly, this all happened before with iTools and OS9. The service was free to all users of OS9, then went through a name change and a fee was added.
I’m getting dizzy.
Imagine if every software service ever released stayed at version 1.0 forever.
Is that a way of saying “Imagine Google Services”? No wait, that’s “imagine if every software service ever released stayed in BETA forever…”
iTools was said to be “Free for life.”
Then they changed the name, and started charging for it.
I noticed that Steve didn’t make the mistake this time of saying those words.
No, they said that your email name would never change.
It is not the same thing, and the written agreement that you had to click through to get your iTools account in the first place said nothing at all about fees never being added in the future.
Careful you’ll be flamed by the fanboys. It’s only money. Just pour yourself a tall glass of Koop-Aid and relax. Oh geez, now you did it. They’re pouring out of their momma’s basements! You just had to make a rational comment didn’t you? On MDN you cannot be a AAPL user/owner and comment honestly. For grown ups try Apple Insider or MacRumor.
So Apple is going to f*** my dad because he is unable to run Lion on his eMac and thus will lose access to his MobileMe account.
Things change. I have to sell my 8-tracks at a garage sale a few weeks ago because I couldn’t find a player that worked.
Low and behold, the tracks were on iTunes, too!
The reason Apple is better than Microsoft is that Microsoft tries to support all legacy hardware and software. That, and architectural brain farts, is why Windows is such a mess.
If your father has an eMac, it’s a testimony to the quality of Apple products. He needs to buy a new Mac by any criterion.
Now that you mention it, I can’t get any parts for my Model T from Ford. They have absolutely no respect for long-term customers like me. Now I have to upgrade to a Hupmobile. What? There aren’t any parts for that? Sheesh.
Have they said IMAP mall clients won’t work with iCloud? I don’t see any indication that any old mail app you might now be using won’t continue to work. Did I miss something?
Weeell… I have an SE30 that’s still going strong, but I hardly expect it to be up for the latest thing.
It still does what I bought it for all thoae years ago and that’s ace, but that’s where it’s at…
dj; you know you can still get legacy software for it too from Apple; I recall when they had free tech support “for life”
First off, Apple is about staying fresh. They do their best to support legacy systems, but sooner or later, they must move on so that they can continue bringing out the best.
Secondly, you’re jumping to some harsh conclusions. Do some research before making bold statements/assumptions. Apple cares about its customers, but your dad’s eMac is 7 years old… no business sense for Apple to keep supporting it.
Time to spend time with your Dad and bring him up to date! Dont let him languish behind!
@Sucker (not)
Props to your dad (and his teacher, son). My money is on your dad and his ability to handle something newer. Since I figure you helped get him to his current “comfort zone” (as I did mine), don’t let him down (I damn sure won’t).
@Sucker (OP): I feel his pain. My MacBook Pro (first generation — that’s what I get for being an early adopter) will not run Lion either. Sucks serious balls…
So we all get 13 months “free” mobile me. But I only use the syncing functions that are part of icloud. So … what’s in it for me?
Okay, Matthew Tyler-Jones, here’s what’s in it for you. iCloud will give you all of the services you now get from MobileMe. There are two disadvantages: 1) you have to do an easy switchover, and 2) the the price goes from $99 per year to $0, if you upgrade to Lion. That only costs $30 and you will probably do anyway. You also don’t have to do the switch in a hurry. Lion comes out in the fall, and you have until next spring to do the transition.
What’s that you say? iCloud has a number of services you don’t want or need? Okay, in that case, figure out the percentage of iCloud’s services that you won’t use. Multiply that times $0.00, and that’s your loss. $0.00 I’m sure Apple will reimburse you for that.
Ken,
I’m running a bit low on “Smart-Ass”, could please spare some? 🙂
Great post btw.
I meant, what’s the point of my year of MobileMe till June 2012
It gives you a year to procrastinate before you have to do anything about catching up with iCloudness.
Just refund my MobileMe subscription.
What happens to Aperture galleries? iWeb sites? Posting documents for download with a password?
See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4597 for details.
… the page you pointed to says: “you’ll be able to keep your me.com or mac.com email address and move your MobileMe mail, contacts, calendars, and bookmarks to the new service.” … not a WORD about galleries or iWeb sites.
And I was disappointed when I saw nothing about iWork.com!
What happens to my web site that is currently hosted on MobileMe ?
iWeb is great for uploading sites to MobileMe, but significantly less convenient for uploading sites to other hosts.
MobileMe includes website hosting space. What happens to that?
Does this mean iWeb will move to iCloud? How about photo pages shares from aperture and iphoto, will these pages continue to exist? Will you still be able to upload photo pages via those apps?
What does Apple have for all those who want everything except for iCloud?
No interest whatsoever in iCloud. No need.
iCloud includes what is now Mobile Me. So for you, it will be MobileMe under a different name.
See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4597.
Ken…
What about iWeb? What about transferring large files via iDisk? What about my 20GB of storage?
You are wrong again!
No… I don’t do MobileMe now. I did for about a year or so, but it didn’t exactly set me on fire.
I’m not saying some people wouldn’t have use for it or some of the convenience of it, but in general the whole notion of the “cloud” appears to be a Rube Goldberg technology solution in search of a problem.
I could use something like the “cloud” for my LAN (AirPort w/5 Macs) if it were something like a TimeCapsule with way more storage and way less expensive. Outside of that I have a problem with security and a couple of other issues inherent with “the cloud”.
Besides… 5GB? Wow!
I just bought a new 1TB ext drive for backup… that’s in addition to an existing 2TB raid and about 4 other ext drives of various hundred GBs capacity. They’re all just about filled to capacity, and no they aren’t filled up with illegal bit torrent downloads. It’s all my own original files.
5GB isn’t even a drop in the bucket. And free isn’t going to last long, either. Apple may have billions on hand, but those data centers aren’t going to operate at a loss forever. Apple makes money everywhere, they don’t operate in one area at a loss and underwrite it with profits from elsewhere. Not for long at any rate.
@MacinScott,
“When iCloud becomes available this fall, more details and instructions will be provided on how to make the move.”
Why give users an extension? Because those whose annual fee is due between now and fall when iCloud is released will not be able to migrate to iCloud if Mobileme is cut off now. The extra year is just to give people a cushion for migration.
What about my 20Gb of data I use iDisk for? What about the $149 I spent renewing last week?
You’ll have your iDisk through your extension, then upgrade to 40 gig on icloud.
Uhhh, so what happens to MobileMe content and accounts between June 30 and “this fall”? My business and livelihood is tied into MobileMe (believe it or not), so I’m quaking a bit right now.
Also, believe it or not, MobileMe has always been fantastically reliable for me in terms of syncing mail, contacts, calendars, bookmarks, etc. The launch was a train wreck, but it’s been great since.
I agree! I depend on my mac.com mail as a record of important correspondence and such. This transition concerns me greatly 🙁
It rolls directly over to mail services under iCloud/Mail.app
Oh, come on! Do some research before you ask a ridiculous question.
ALL MobileMe accounts have been extended until June 30, 2012. That’s over a year from now. I’ll hazard a guess that next fall will happen before then. I could be wrong.
I stand humbly corrected. In my palpitated panic, I glossed right over that “2012” part. Rest easy, MeMyselfI, you are not wrong. Fall ’11 will occur before June 30, 2012.
My apologies to the entire Mac community.
P.S…. Installing the iOS 5 Beta on my iPhone now. Can’t wait!
One interesting change to iOS has already happened: when you check for available app updates in the App Store, you are now shown all your previously purchased apps even if they’re not currently installed.
=:~)
Where is itunes 10.3?
How do you download it?
Site shows donwnload here but takes you to 10.2.2
That’s normal. Just wait. It will come within a day. I suspect they are making it available gradually to prevent the servers from going down in flames.
Sigh…I paid the $99 in April to renew MobileMe because the alternative was to have 20GB of data flushed from the server. I knew that an upgrade was coming, but I was caught in the gap. I had hoped that Apple would do something to compensate loyal MobileMe users who had recently renewed their accounts. I am a little disappointed, but Apple has treated me pretty well over the years, so I am not going to rant. In the immortal words of Forest Gump, “it happens.”
Right there with you. Auto renewed in March. Knew that something was brewing, but couldn’t afford to lose my .me address or the website i have hosted.
The should’ve said iCloud is free but we’ll offer the existing customers iTunes credit to the value of their remaining subscription. Then we could use that to upgrade the amount of backup storage, pay for iTunes Match or just buy some media off the store?
Agreed!
Matthew 20:1-16
Great post!
If someone buys a Mac and an iOS device right now, how would they go about syncing their iCal, mail, ect. Does apple want them to use another service ie gmail until the fall?
Will there be anyway to keep contacts with photos in sync?
Arghhhh! June 2012, 2012, 2012!!! A bit tired of all the people who not only fail to see the year in the original posting, but also do not bother reading the rest of the comments…
I’m pretty annoyed that if I don’t upgrade to Lion I will lose the basic calendar & contacts syncing I now get through MobileMe. My main work computer will likely remain on Snow Leopard as it is a significant, costly PITA to upgrade all the relevant software. (much, much more than just the $30 for Lion)
I understand the benefits of Apple not supporting all legacy soft/hardware forever. But seriously, it’s not like Snow Leopard is from the stone ages. I can’t believe they are going to sh*tcan ALL syncing functions for anyone who doesn’t move to Lion.
So what happens to all the albums we have at http://gallery.mac.com?
Lots of unanswered questions. I have many concerns, too, especially about all the data on my iDisks in multiple accounts. The largest accounts hold up to 60 GB. Will there be a comparable service? Will we have to move the data? Or will Apple® have a way to do that for us? I suspect Apple® will have to give better answers to a number of questions soon.
I also assume, but would like to actually be told, that we do not have to worry about renewing current, expiring, MM accounts to make it to iCloud.
My MobileMe account automatically renewed 6/1. Just had a long online chat with a MobileMe CSR… long story short – No refund for me! I know, I know, cue the sound of the world’s smallest violin playing. Anyone else in the same boat as me?
Hey, Mac Plus, don’t make the long story short! What happened? Is it just you? Or is it something that may affect all of us?!
I have more than one MM account and I am concerned about how Apple® will be handling this!
You asked for it… here’s the chat transcript..
Chat Support
Monday, June 6, 2011 04:47 PM
Duration: 52 minutes 1 seconds
May:
Hello, my name is May. Welcome to MobileMe chat support. Please give me a moment to look over your information.
May:
Hello Jeff.
Jeff:
Hello may.
May:
I understand that you would like a refund for your account’s automatic renewal done on 6/1/11 correct?
Jeff:
Yes, please.
Jeff:
My understanding is that the service is free now.
May:
Thank you, I am happy to assist you with this. Have you contacted Apple about this before? (If so, do you have a case number?)
Jeff:
I tried earlier and received an email with this case # *******4, but I had no conversation.
May:
Thank you.
May:
One moment please while I search and review your account.
May:
Thank you so much for holding Jeff I truly appreciate your patience. I can refund you for your recent renewal. But that would consist of canceling your account for a refund.
May:
Please be aware that once you cancel the account you will not be able to renew the account and you will not be able to create a new account until this fall when iCloud is released.
May:
You will not be able to use the same account name again.
Jeff:
Well, I don’t want to do that.
May:
Sorry about that. The account renewal is generosity to members who would benefit, while members who renewed before did not lose any benefits.
Jeff:
It seems like I am being charged, as a long time customer, while others get the service now for free?
Jeff:
If I hadn’t renewed 5 days ago for $99 + tax, I would now have the service for free, no?
Jeff:
Perhaps I am not understanding the situation?
May:
The service can be free. The only way to get it free and for you to get a refund is to cancel the current subscription that you renewed with and you will have to wait for the release of iCloud in the fall to create a new free account. I do completely understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately those are the only options that I have to offer in which will satisfy both of what you want.
Jeff:
I guess I am not understanding the whole situation. I was under the impression that Mobileme became free as of today, but I guess I am mistaken.
Jeff:
I guess my question really is: If I hadn’t renewed Mobileme 5 days ago, would I still have the account, but for free? And, if so, why can’t I keep the account and get a refund. If not so, I understand.
May:
iCloud is free. But iCloud have not been released yet and it will not until this fall. With MobileMe, the accounts that were in the trial or expired status were extended till the fall for the opportunity to convert it into a iCloud account when the service becomes available in the fall.
Jeff:
So I am paying $99 because of 5 days? I should have let the account expire?
May:
If you did not renew the account then yes your service would be extended. Like I mentioned before I am able to refund you for your account, but you will need to wait for the iCloud release to get a free account.
May:
So I can cancel the account now if you like. I will just need to know what I can do for you at this moment.
May:
That is the only way I can offer a refund.
May:
Here is more information about this in the Information about the MobileMe transition article below:
May:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4597
Jeff:
No, I have no choice. Don’t cancel. I and my family have been using Macs since 1987. First time I’ve been truly disappointed in Apple.
Jeff:
Thanks for your help, even though I feel this is very wrong.
May:
I do apologize. Once again I do understand where you are coming from and I am offering everything that I can do on my end to rectify this situation. I would definitely suggest for you to submit a feedback about this to our engineers at:
May:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/mobileme.html
Jeff:
Oh, I will be submitting feedback. (Not about you personally, I understand your position and you have been very polite and as helpful as you could be under the circumstances, and I thank you.)
May:
Thank you for understanding Jeff.
May:
I really do appreciate it.
May:
Can I assist you with anything else MobileMe related in the meantime?
Jeff:
No. Thanks. Good bye.
May:
You are most welcome. Thank you so much for your time and patience. I hope you have a great day and take care.
Thanks, Mac Plus. That was helpful to understand what was going on. Unfortunately, that left me with other questions.
It would seem, from the transcript, that it may be best to get MM accounts off auto renewal for now though! I am still hopeful we get more definitive info from Apple® on all this.
Thanks!
What’s strange is that you can apparently get a refund if you bought a MobileMe box and used the activation code for less than 45 days:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4445
But not if, as in my case, the renewal was automatic. WTF!
(By the way, I love your books. “The Time Machine” is my favorite.)
Hey, thanks, Mac Plus! Time Machine was also one of my personal favorites. Regrettably, not all the movies based on it over the past half century were up to my standards. Being a history teacher at the time I was doing my writing, I’m afraid the books I really enjoyed writing were given short shrift. But you can still find even my history of the world text in some libraries. Of course, you’ll find my OTHER books in almost every library! I hope you read some of my other books, too!
When can we start to use these services? The TV news just said today, but it appears that is not true. Please explain, if you can
Thanks
I’m still going to wind up paying a half year for something I won’t need, or use, after this fall.
I say $50 credit in the app store makes more sense than extending MobileMe to June 2012.
I renewed my account on May 26, the last possible day for my account to renew. I feel like I paid $99 for less than two weeks of service. I knew this new service was probably coming, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. I guess I should have let my account expire, as then I wouldn’t have had to pay anything. If anyone has any ideas, I’d like to hear it. I submitting feedback, but I don’t expect to hear back. I’d love to talk to a real person about this. There should be a grace period, especially for less than 14 days ago!
“Effective June 6, 2011, if you had an active MobileMe account…”
If you had not renewed, your MobileMe account would have been deactivated and, I assume, the extension of service would not have applied. You might not even be able to reactivate a dormant account starting today. If you wait more than a few weeks after your MobileMe account is deactivated, then your data is flushed. That is why I renewed in April rather than letting it lapse. Now I am starting to think that I wasted money. Wouldn’t be the first time, won’t be the last.
So… I have been a loyal mobile me user since day one. Renewed in January at $99. Subscription ends in June. I lose $50 after all these years of sticking with them?
I hate to lose too, but $50 is less than a tank of gas. I truly do understand your position, but lines have to be drawn somewhere.
I am a pharmacist and too many times to count people ask me to refill expired prescriptions. Saying something to the effect “Go ahead and fill it, one day doesn’t matter.” Except, it does matter, especially to the DEA and the Board of Pharmacy!
(Saying that I often loan people maintenance meds to get them through until a new rx can be authorized. I hope your pharmacist does that too!)
Maybe Apple will consider those folks who paid for MobileMe very recently?