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Beyond sending and receiving emails, your Gmail account is the gateway to unlocking the best of your spiffy new Android phone and accessing Google services, like Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Maps, Chrome, Google Photos, and more. Creating a Gmail account is straightforward whether you recently switched to Android from iOS, want to use a Google product, or need another email address for an online job. This guide shows how to set up a Gmail account for yourself, your child, or someone else.

How to set up a new Gmail account on your PC or Mac

Creating a new Gmail account on your Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook is easy, provided you can access a web browser and have a phone that receives SMS messages.

How to create your first Gmail account

If you don't have a Gmail account, follow these steps to create your first one:

  1. Visit the Gmail website in your browser.
  2. Click Create an account on the page.
  3. Select For my personal use from the drop-down menu.
    Creating a new account on the Gmail website
  4. Enter your first and last names, and click Next.
    Entering your name for Gmail account creation
  5. Fill in your birthday and gender, then click Next.
    Entering your basic information for new Gmail account.
  6. Google generates Gmail addresses from your name combination. Pick an option or click Create your own Gmail address to enter your preferred username. Your desired address might be unavailable, but you can add numbers and periods to create a unique one.
  7. Click Next to continue.
    Ccreating a unique email address
  8. Create a password for the account and click Next. Strong passwords usually include letters, numbers, and special characters.
    Creating a strong password for new Gmail account
  9. Add a recovery email address or phone number to secure your account if prompted. Google sends a verification code to the address or number. Enter it in the provided space to verify.
    adding a recovery email to Gmail
  10. Review your email address on the next page (save it somewhere), then click the Next button.
  11. Click the I agree button to accept Google's terms. You now have a new Google account and a new Gmail email address.

How to create additional Gmail accounts

You can create a new email account through Google if you already have one. It doesn't matter if you're signed in to the current email address on your phone or PC. Follow these steps to create a new Gmail address.

  1. Go to gmail.com in your browser.
  2. Click your profile image in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  3. Select Add another account.
    Adding another Gmail account on web
  4. You're taken to Google's sign-in page. Click Create account and select For my personal use.
  5. Create a new account by following the steps in the "How to create your first Gmail account" section, starting with step 2.

When finished, your new Gmail account appears in the list of available accounts. You can see it by clicking your profile image.

How to create a Gmail account on your Android or iPhone

Most people check their email on a mobile phone. It only makes sense that they would also create their email account on a mobile phone. Since the Gmail app is available in the Google Play Store and iOS App Store, you can set up a Gmail account on almost any device.

Download the Gmail app on your mobile device and follow these steps to create a new Gmail Account:

  1. Open the Gmail app on your phone.
  2. Select the Create account option. When signed in to your Gmail account, tap the profile icon in the upper-right corner and select Add another account.
  3. When asked to choose an account type, select Google.
    Gmail account profile options page.
    Choosing the type of email to create on the email setup page.
  4. On the Google sign-in screen, select Create Account.
  5. In the pop-up menu, select For myself.
  6. Enter your First name. Optionally, enter your Last Name.
  7. Select Next.
    Creating a Gmail account for yourself or your work/business.
    Entering your name in the Google account name screen.
  8. Enter the month, day, and year of your birth.
  9. Select your Gender.
  10. Select the Next button.
  11. Choose a suggested Gmail address or create your own.
  12. Select Next.
    Entering birthdate and gender info in the basic information screen.
    Entering a username in the Gmail username screen.
  13. Enter the password you want to use.
  14. Select Next.
    Entering a strong password in the password screen.
  15. You're asked to enter your phone number. Select either Yes, I'm in or Skip.
  16. Select Next.
  17. Agree to Google's privacy terms by selecting I Agree.

You now have a new Gmail account on your phone. If you have multiple accounts, choose the one to view by selecting the profile image in the upper-right corner. After creating your Gmail account, store your login info in a top password manager for easy access.

An illustration using primary colors with the Gmail mark and Android Police logo behind.
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How to make a Gmail account for someone else

You can also set up a Gmail account for your relatives or friends on your phone or desktop browser. While the steps are almost identical, remember the following things during the sign-up process:

  • Use Incognito mode in the desktop browser. Otherwise, you'll see the newly created email address in your primary Gmail inbox.
  • Enter the other person's details (such as their birthdate, gender, and username) while creating the Gmail account. Ensure you use accurate information, as it may come in handy for recovering the Google account later.
  • If the person has an existing email address, use it as a recovery email.
  • Google may ask for mobile verification before completing the process. Get the security code from the person to verify their identity.

How to make a Gmail account for your child

When you create a new Gmail account, Google offers an option to set up an account for your little one. Google requires you to manage your child's account until they're 13 (or the applicable age in your region). You can manage your child's account and privacy settings, limit screen time with Google Family Link, and set content filters for services like Google TV, Play Store, and Search.

The process isn't much different from creating an adult account.

  1. Open Gmail in your browser.
  2. Click your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
  3. Select Add another account.
    Adding another Gmail account on web
  4. Click Create account on the sign-in page and select For my child.
    Creating a Gmail address for your child
  5. Google states the basic details about creating a child's account. Click Yes, continue.
    Creating a Gmail account for your child
  6. Fill in the child's basic information on the following pages, such as first and last names, birthdate, and gender.
  7. Click the Next button.
  8. Create your preferred Gmail address or pick from the suggested ones, then click Next.
  9. Create a reliable password for the account.
  10. Use your phone number to confirm you're not a robot.
  11. On the Parent sign-in page, enter your email or phone number and click Next. Google requires an email address to manage the child's account until the child turns 13.
    Adding parent email to the kid's new Gmail account
  12. Review Google's info regarding creating and managing children's accounts, then scroll to the bottom. Mark the checkboxes and click I agree.
  13. Enter your account password and click Next to confirm you agree with the previous consent.
  14. Follow the remaining steps on the sign-up page to finish creating the child's account.

How to sign out from Gmail

Did you create your Gmail account on someone else's computer? If you didn't use Incognito mode, Google adds your Gmail account to their desktop browser. You should sign out for safety reasons. Log out of all the Gmail accounts on the browser to remove yours.

  1. Visit Gmail on the web and click your account picture in the upper-right corner.
  2. Click Sign out of all accounts.
    Signing out of all Gmail accounts on web
  3. Select Remove an account.
    Removing a Gmail account from web browser
  4. Click the minus button beside your account.
    Removing a Gmail account on web
  5. Confirm your decision by clicking Yes, remove.
    Removing a Gmail account on web.

How to set up Gmail on iPhone or iPad

When you sign in to your Google account on an Android phone, the system automatically adds your email address to the Gmail app. The steps to set up your Gmail on an iPhone or iPad are different and not as seamless as on Android.

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone and scroll to Mail.
    Settings page on iPhone.
  2. Select Accounts and tap Add Account.
    Mail settings on iPhone.
    Mail accounts page on iPhone.
  3. Select Google and sign in with your Google account details.
  4. After you authenticate the account, Gmail syncs emails, contacts, calendars, and notes with the default iOS apps on iPhone.
    Add mail account page on iPhone.
    Syncing details on iphone Google account settings page.

If you don't prefer the default Mail app on your iPhone, go to the App Store and download the Gmail app.

Manage your Gmail inbox efficiently

Your Gmail inbox has 15GB of free space shared with Google products. When you consider Google Photos media, Docs, Sheets, and Slides and receive hundreds of emails daily, you may fill up the free space quickly. You can upgrade to one of the Google One plans or learn how to free up storage in Gmail. If you use Gmail on the desktop, use these apps and tools to improve your Gmail experience.

Do more with a Google business account

Creating a Gmail account allows you access to the extensive library of Google services and products. While the free versions of these tools should be more than enough for most people, the premium Google Workspace service offers more features and functionality for businesses. If you use Google Workspace in your organization, create Google Workspace user emails for your employees instead of a regular Gmail account.