Previously if you had an AOL username, you could sign into the Apple iTunes App Store, iBooks Store, or the music store using your username as opposed to an Apple ID. However it looks like Apple has decided to put an end to that support which was revealed in a recently uploaded support document on Apple’s website.According to the support document, Apple will be ending their support on the 31st of March, so for those who wish to maintain their access to Apple’s online stores, they will have to convert to an Apple ID before them. “Starting March 31, 2015, AOL 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. You must convert your AOL Username to an Apple ID in order to maintain access to the stores and to content you purchased previously.”
Now for those who are late to the party and who might have missed out on transitioning to an Apple ID before the deadline, fret not because it will not affect your iTunes purchases, it’s just that you simply will not be able to make future purchases until you transition to an Apple ID. We’re not sure why Apple has decided to end support, but perhaps they’re looking to unify all their accounts.
If you’re still using an AOL username to log into the iTunes App Store, you can begin the transition process by logging in using your AOL username and follow the onscreen instructions on how to proceed.