What "add" means depends on what you're adding to
When you search for "how do I add," you're usually trying to do one of three things: add a person to an account or device, add a new device to a service, or add an account to an app. The steps change completely depending on which one you need. This guide covers the most common scenarios — adding a user to Windows or Mac, adding a device to your phone's Bluetooth, adding an email account to Gmail or Outlook, and adding a family member to a shared subscription.
Each process takes between two and five minutes once you know where to look. The hardest part is usually finding the right menu, not the steps themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Adding a user to Windows or Mac requires you to go to Settings, find Accounts or Users, and create a new account with a password or PIN.
- Adding a device to Bluetooth means putting your phone or computer in pairing mode, then selecting the new device from the Bluetooth menu.
- Adding an email account to Gmail or Outlook involves entering your email address and password in the account settings, then confirming access.
- Adding a family member to a subscription like Netflix or Apple One usually means inviting them through a sharing or family menu, not creating a new account from scratch.
Adding a new user to Windows
On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings"), then select Accounts on the left side. Click Other people, then Add account. You can create a local account (password only, no Microsoft account required) or a Microsoft account (which syncs settings across devices).
For a local account, select I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account. Type a username and password, then click Next. The new user will appear on the Windows login screen the next time you restart.
For a Microsoft account, enter the person's email address instead. Windows will send them a confirmation email, and they can sign in once they confirm. This option is better if the person uses multiple Windows devices, because their files and settings will follow them.
Adding a new user to Mac
On macOS, click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Settings. Select General on the left, then scroll down and click Users & Groups (or Family Sharing if you want to share subscriptions instead of creating a separate account). Click the lock icon at the bottom and enter your password to make changes.
Click the plus sign to add a new user. Choose whether you want to create a standard account (limited permissions) or an administrator account (full control). Enter the person's name and password, then click Create User. They will see their own login screen the next time the Mac restarts.
If you want to share apps, subscriptions, and photos instead of creating a separate account, use Family Sharing instead. Go to System Settings > General > Family Sharing, click Set Up Family Sharing, and follow the prompts to invite family members by email.
Adding a device to Bluetooth
On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is on, then look for your device in the list. If it does not appear, put the device into pairing mode — this usually means holding a button on the device for three to five seconds until a light blinks. Then tap the device name in the Bluetooth menu and confirm the pairing.
On Android, go to Settings > Connected devices (or Bluetooth, depending on your phone), tap Pair new device, put your device into pairing mode, and select it from the list. Some devices ask you to confirm a code on both the phone and the device — if you see a code, make sure it matches on both before confirming.
On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & devices, click Add device, put your device into pairing mode, and select it from the list. On Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, put your device into pairing mode, and click Connect next to the device name.
Adding an email account to Gmail or Outlook
In Gmail on the web, click your profile picture in the top right, then Add another account. Enter the email address you want to add, then your password. Gmail will verify the account and show you a list of what it can access — usually your email, contacts, and calendar. Click Allow to finish. You can now switch between accounts by clicking your profile picture again.
In Outlook on the web, click your profile picture in the top right, then View account. Click Manage your Microsoft account, then go to Your info > Manage your sign-in email or phone number. Click Add email and enter the new address. Microsoft will send a confirmation code to that address — enter it to finish.
On the Outlook app for iPhone, iPad, or Android, tap the menu icon (three lines), then Settings, then Add Account. Enter the email address and password, and the app will set up the account automatically. You can switch between accounts by tapping the menu icon and selecting a different account.
Adding a family member to a shared subscription
On Netflix, go to your account settings (click your profile picture in the top right, then Account), scroll down to Plans & Sharing, and click Manage access and devices. Click Add member to your household and enter their email address. They will receive an invitation and can create their own profile once they accept.
On Apple One or iCloud Family Sharing, go to Settings > Family Sharing (on iPhone) or System Settings > Family Sharing (on Mac), then click Add Family Member. Enter their email address or phone number, and they will receive an invitation. Once they accept, they can use shared subscriptions like Apple Music, Apple TV+, and iCloud storage.
On Disney+, click your profile picture in the top right, then Account, then Manage Profiles. Click Add Profile to create a new profile for someone in your household. Profiles are different from accounts — they all share the same subscription, but each person gets their own watch history and recommendations.
What to do if the device or account won't add
If a device won't pair over Bluetooth, restart both the device and your phone or computer, then try again. Make sure the device is in pairing mode — some devices only stay in pairing mode for 30 seconds, so you may need to hold the button again. If the device still does not appear, check whether it is already paired to another phone or computer and disconnect it there first.
If an email account won't add to Gmail or Outlook, make sure you are using the correct password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you may need to use an app password instead of your regular password — Gmail and Outlook both have instructions for this in their help sections. If the account still will not add, try signing out completely and signing back in.
If you cannot add a family member to a subscription, check that they have a valid email address and that they are not already part of another family group. Some services like Netflix limit the number of people who can share one account, so you may need to remove someone else first or upgrade to a higher plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a user to my computer without giving them a password?
On Windows, you can create a local account without a password, but it is not recommended because anyone can sign in. On Mac, every account must have a password. If you want someone to use your computer without signing in, you can turn on automatic login for your own account in System Settings, but this means anyone with physical access can use it.
What is the difference between adding a device and pairing a device?
Pairing and adding mean the same thing — they both mean connecting a device to your phone or computer over Bluetooth so they can communicate. Once paired, the device will usually reconnect automatically the next time you turn it on, without needing to pair again.
If I add someone to my Netflix account, can they see my watch history?
No. Each profile on Netflix has its own watch history and recommendations. If you add a family member, create a separate profile for them so their viewing does not mix with yours. They will not see your profile unless you share the password.
Do I need a Microsoft account to use Windows?
No. You can create a local account with just a username and password. A Microsoft account is optional and is mainly useful if you use multiple Windows devices or want to sync your settings across them.
Can I add the same email account to multiple devices?
Yes. You can sign into Gmail, Outlook, or any email service on as many devices as you want. Just enter your email and password on each device. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you may need to confirm each new device the first time you sign in.