5 Easy Steps to Create a Google Account on Any Device

A step-by-step guide to creating a Google account and Gmail address

Co-authored by Mitch Harris and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: November 18, 2024 Fact Checked

Do you want a new Google account? A Google account is the key to accessing all of Google’s products and services, most of which are free. Once you create a Google account, you can access tools like Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Docs, as well sync Chrome browsing data across all of your devices. Signing up for an account is a quick and simple process, and you can create more than one! This wikiHow article walks you through signing up for a Google account on your computer, Android, iPhone, or iPad.

How to Sign Up for a Google Account

Google accounts are free and easy to make. You can also create multiple Google accounts!
To create an account, go to https://accounts.google.com/signin and click "Create account" and fill in the required information.
After you create a Google account, you'll be able to access all of the services offered by Google like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Play.

Steps

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Go to https://accounts.google.com/signin. You can do this on any browser, even the browser on your smartphone or tablet!
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Click Create account and choose the type of account you're making. It's below the field that you'd use to sign in.^{[1]
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- You can create an account for your work or business, a child, or for your personal use. The required fields change a little depending on what you're creating an account for, but they mostly follow the same steps.
  - Personal account: Use if you want to make an account for you to use personally.
  - Business account: Use this if you want to use Google as a business. You'll have the ability to connect your real-life business so people can find it online.
  - Child account: This type of account can have restrictions on it based on age or ratings. This is a great option if you want to manage your own child's Google account.^{[2]
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Come up with a username. By default, your username will become your new Gmail address (it will be "yourusername@gmail.com). You can click the link below the username field to create a Google account with an existing email address instead of creating a new Gmail address.
- Click Use my current email address instead if you have an email address and don't want to create a Gmail address.
- If your username is taken or not available, you will be given several related options, or you can try a different one.
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Fill out the rest of the required information. You will need to enter your first and last name, your birthday (for age verification), your gender, your phone number in case you lose access to your account, and a verification email address. You also need to enter which country you reside in.^{[3]
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- The mobile phone number is recommended but not required. If you don't have a phone number, you can skip this step.
- Click Next to continue through the account verification process.
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Agree to the privacy policy. Take the time to read the entire privacy policy so that you are aware of what Google can and can’t do with your personal information. Check the box if you agree to Google’s terms.
- Click More options to change your settings (if you want to get personalized ads or not). You can change these settings later.^{[4]
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- After clicking I agree, your account is made! You'll see a "My Account" page where you can mess with all your Google settings.
- If you want to make multiple accounts, make sure you're logged out and repeat the process.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can you protect your Google account?

Mitch Harris
IT Expert
Mitch Harris is an IT Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

IT Expert

Expert Answer

Two-factor authentication is one of the best things that you can do—just enable it under your account security settings. If anyone tries to hack into your Google account, you'll receive a text or email asking you to verify the suspicious login activity.

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Question

If I don't have any kind of account or email address already, what should I do to create a Google account?

Community Answer

Most people just start from scratch and create an account by following the same steps outlined above.

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What kind of name can I put on a Gmail account?

Community Answer

You can use any name you'd like! Keep in mind that if you are using your account for work or school, that it should be appropriate. For example, janedoe@email.com could be considered far more appropriate for a work or school email than pinkponies4eva@email.com.

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After creating your Google account, you can set up your Gmail account so you can send and receive emails.^{[5]
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