You can create a second Gmail account in about five minutes using the same device where you use your first one
Creating a second Gmail account means setting up an entirely separate email address with its own inbox, contacts, and settings. You do not need a second phone number or email address to start — Google lets you add a new account using information you already have. The process is the same whether you use a computer, phone, or tablet, though the exact steps differ slightly between devices.
Most people create a second Gmail account to separate work from personal email, to have a dedicated account for online shopping, or to keep a backup account if they lose access to their first one. Once created, you can switch between both accounts on the same device without signing out.
Key Takeaways
- You can create a new Gmail account at gmail.com by clicking "Create account" and filling in your name, desired email address, and a password.
- Google will ask you to verify your identity by entering a code sent to your phone number or existing email address — you must complete this step before the account is active.
- On Android phones, you can add the new account directly in Settings under Accounts, and on iPhones you add it through the Gmail app itself.
- Once both accounts are set up on your device, you can switch between them without signing out by tapping your profile picture and selecting the other account.
Creating a Gmail account on a computer
Go to gmail.com in any web browser and look for the blue "Create account" button on the right side of the sign-in page. Click it, and Google will ask for your first and last name. Type both, then move to the next field.
In the "Username" field, enter the email address you want to use — for example, yourname.work@gmail.com or yourname2024@gmail.com. Google will tell you immediately if that address is already taken. If it is, try adding numbers or a period to make it unique. Once you find an available address, move forward.
Create a strong password in the next field. Google shows you a strength meter as you type — aim for a password that includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Write this password down or save it in a password manager, because you will need it to sign in later. Then click "Next."
Google will ask for your phone number or an existing email address to verify your identity. Enter your phone number if you have one — Google will send you a six-digit code by text message. Type that code into the box that appears. If you prefer not to use your phone, you can choose to verify using an existing email address instead, and Google will send the code there.
After verification, Google asks for your birth date and gender. These are required fields. Enter your information and click "Next." You will then see a privacy and terms screen — read it if you want, then click "I agree" to finish creating the account. Your second Gmail account is now active.
Creating a Gmail account on an Android phone
Open the Gmail app on your Android phone. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then tap "Add another account." Select "Google" from the list of account types.
Tap "Create account" at the bottom of the sign-in screen. Choose whether you are creating the account for yourself or to manage it for someone else — select "For myself." Enter your first and last name, then tap "Next."
Create a username for your new email address. Google will suggest options based on your name, or you can type your own. If your choice is taken, try adding numbers or a period. Once you have an available username, tap "Next" and create a strong password.
Enter your phone number for verification. Google will send a six-digit code by text — type it in when it arrives. After verification, enter your birth date and gender, then review the privacy terms and tap "I agree." Your new account will appear in the Gmail app immediately, and you can switch between accounts by tapping your profile picture.
Creating a Gmail account on an iPhone or iPad
Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Tap "Add another account" and select "Google." You will be taken to a sign-in screen.
Tap "Create account" at the bottom. Choose "For myself," then enter your first and last name and tap "Next." Create a username for your new email address — if your first choice is taken, add numbers or a period to make it unique.
Tap "Next" and create a password. Google will ask for your phone number to verify your identity. Enter it, and Google will send a six-digit code by text message. Type the code into the field that appears. After verification, enter your birth date and gender, agree to the terms, and your account is ready to use.
The new account will appear in the Gmail app right away. To switch between your two accounts, tap your profile picture in the top left and select the account you want to check.
Switching between your two Gmail accounts
Once both accounts are set up on your device, you do not need to sign out of one to use the other. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner of Gmail and you will see both account names listed. Click the one you want to switch to.
On Android, tap your profile picture in the Gmail app and select the account you want. On iPhone, do the same — tap your profile picture in the top left and choose from your list of accounts. The app will load that account's inbox immediately.
If you want to sign out of one account completely, tap your profile picture, select the account you want to remove, scroll down, and tap "Remove this account." This does not delete the account itself — it just removes it from your device. You can add it back anytime by following the steps above.
What to do if you forget your password
If you forget the password to your second Gmail account, go to the Gmail sign-in page on a computer and click "Forgot password?" Type the email address of the account you cannot access. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember — if you cannot remember any password, click "Try another way."
Google will offer to send a verification code to the phone number or backup email address you provided when you created the account. Enter the code when it arrives, and you will be able to set a new password. If you no longer have access to that phone number or backup email, the recovery process becomes much harder, so write down your passwords or save them in a password manager.
Recovering access to a second Gmail account you cannot sign into
If you cannot remember your password and cannot receive the verification code, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery on a computer. Enter the email address of the account you are locked out of. Google will ask a series of security questions based on your account history — answer as many as you can accurately.
If you created the account recently and have not used it much, Google may not have enough information to verify you. In that case, you can request a manual review by Google, though this can take several days. Provide as much information as you can about when you created the account and what you used it for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a different phone number for each Gmail account?
No. You can use the same phone number to verify multiple Gmail accounts. Google will send verification codes to that number for each account you create. However, you can only link one phone number to one Google account at a time for security purposes.
Can I use a nickname or business name instead of my real name?
Yes. Google does not verify that the name you enter matches your legal name. You can enter any name you want when creating the account. However, if you later use the account for sensitive purposes like banking or government services, those organizations may require you to verify your legal identity separately.
What happens if I delete one of my Gmail accounts?
Deleting a Gmail account removes all emails, contacts, and data from that account permanently. You cannot recover them afterward. If you simply want to stop using an account without deleting it, you can remove it from your device instead — the account stays active on Google's servers and you can sign back in anytime.
Can I merge two Gmail accounts into one?
No. Google does not offer a way to combine two separate Gmail accounts. However, you can set up email forwarding so that messages sent to your second account automatically appear in your first one. Go to Settings in the second account, click "Forwarding and POP/IMAP," and enter your first Gmail address.
Will my second Gmail account have the same storage as my first?
Yes. Each Gmail account comes with 15 gigabytes of free storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. Your second account has its own separate 15 gigabytes. If you need more storage, you can purchase additional space through Google One, and that purchase applies only to the account you buy it for.