2 Simple Ways to Create a New Gmail Account

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Do you want to make a new free Google email account? Whether you want to set up a new Gmail account for yourself, your child, or a friend, this can be done in just a few minutes. Creating a Gmail account is the same as creating a Google account, so you'll get access to other features such as Sheets, Docs, and the ability to sync your web browsing sessions on Chrome. This wikiHow will show you how to create a new Gmail account using your computer, Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Things You Should Know

You can create a Gmail account for yourself, your child, or a friend.
On desktop, go to Gmail. Click "Create an account". Enter your name, a Gmail address, password, and account recovery options.
On a phone or tablet, open the Gmail app. Tap "Sign in" → "Google" → "Continue" → "Create an account".

Using a Computer

Go to https://www.google.com/gmail/about in a browser. This will open a page with information regarding Gmail. If you're creating a Gmail account for your child and want to manage the account's privacy settings and content filters, you'll need to follow slightly different steps: Go to https://www.google.com. Click Sign in → Create account → For my child. Enter your child's information to create their account.

Click Create an account. This will be a blue button at the top-right corner of the window. You can also find this in the middle of the screen, next to For work. You'll be redirected to the Google Account creation page.

Enter your first and last name. Type your first name into the "First name" text box near the top of the page, then enter your last name in the "Last name" box next to it. If you're creating a Gmail account for a friend, enter their information in the fields provided.

Create a Gmail username. In the "Username" field, type in the username you want to use for your email address. You can use letters, numbers, and periods. This is the name which appears before the "@gmail.com" section of the address. You must enter a unique username that isn't being used by someone else. If it's taken, you'll see: That username is taken. Try another. If the username you want is taken, try using a period to separate names, or add a number at the end.

Enter and confirm your new password. Type your preferred password into the "Password" text box near the bottom of the page, then type the same password into the "Confirm password" box to the right of the first password box. These passwords must match before you can proceed. Make sure to use a strong password to avoid any unauthorized access to your account. Check the box next to Show password to toggle password visibility.

Click Next. This is the blue button at the bottom of the page.

Enter account recovery options. While not mandatory, you can add up to two types of account recovery options to your Gmail profile: Phone number: Type your phone number into the "Phone number" field near the top of the page. Recovery email address: Type any other email address into the "Recovery email address" field near the top of the page.

Add your date of birth. Click the "Month" drop-down box and select the month of your birthday, then type the day and year into the "Day" and "Year" text boxes, respectively.

Select a gender and click Next. Click the "Gender" drop-down box, then select one of the gender options in the resulting drop-down menu. Then, click the blue button at the bottom of the page.

Verify your phone number. If you added a phone number as an account recovery option, you'll need to verify your number. Click Send when prompted. Enter the verification code into the field. This will be in the format: G-000000. Click Verify. You may see the Get more from your number page. You can opt to receive video calls and messages with your number, and make Google services more relevant to you. To opt out, click Skip.

Scroll down and click I agree. You must agree to Google's Privacy and Terms to create an account. Click More options to personalize your Google experience now. You can customize your Web & App Activity, Ad personalization, and YouTube History. You'll be signed into your new Google account. To use Gmail and access your inbox, click Gmail next to Images. Be sure to log out if you're using a public computer.

Using the Gmail App on Mobile

Download the Gmail app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. Gmail is available for iOS in the App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store. Once you've installed the app, you can easily create a Gmail account. On iPhone or iPad: Open the App Store. Tap Search and enter Gmail. Tap Get. On Android: Open the Google Play Store. Tap the search bar at the top of the screen and enter Gmail. Tap INSTALL, then ACCEPT.

Open the Gmail app. This looks like a multicolored M with a white background. You cannot create an account for a child using this method, but you can using the use the desktop method.

Tap "Add an Email Address" besides the + sign. It's at the bottom of the screen. If an account is already signed into the Gmail app, tap the profile picture in the top-right corner. Tap Add another account.

Tap Google. This will be at the very top, underneath Set up email.

Tap Create account. This will be at the left side of the screen, underneath the Email or phone field.

Tap For myself. This will be in the drop-down menu.

Enter your First and Last name and click Next. Use the first field to enter your first name. You can enter a last name, but this is optional.

Enter your gender, birthday and then tap Next. Tap the "Gender" drop-down box, then select one of the gender options in the resulting drop-down menu. To enter your birthday, tap the "Month" drop-down box to select the month, and then type the day and year into the "Day" and "Year" text boxes, respectively.

Create your Gmail address and tap Next. Google will list some available options for you to choose. Tap an option or tap Create your own Gmail address to enter your own. When creating a username, you can use letters, numbers, and periods. This is the name which appears before the "@gmail.com" section of the address. This email address must be unique or you won't be able to continue.

Create a password and tap Next. Enter a password into the Password field. Try to use a strong password with unique symbols. Tap the box next to Show password to toggle password visibility.

Add a phone number (optional) and tap Next. You can use this phone number to recover your password in case you get locked out. Enter a phone number in the field, then tap Yes, I'm in. You'll be sent a unique code that must be entered in the next page to verify your number. Tap Skip to opt out.

Review and agree to the terms. You must agree to Google's Privacy and Terms to create an account, so scroll down and click I agree. You can then personalize your Google experience by clicking More Options. You can customize your Web & App Activity, Ad personalization, and YouTube History. If you aren't automatically logged into your new Gmail account, tap Sign in on the bottom to do so. You'll now be able to use Gmail on your mobile device. You can add contacts and create folders.