What you need before you start

To create a new Apple ID, you need an email address you can access right now, a strong password you haven't used elsewhere, and a way to verify your identity — either a phone number for a text code or a recovery email address. You do not need a credit card to set up an Apple ID, though you will need one later if you want to buy apps or music.

Have your email open in another browser tab or window so you can check it quickly when Apple sends a verification code. If you are setting this up on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can do it directly on the device. If you are on a Windows computer, you will use the Apple ID website instead.

Key Takeaways

  • You can create an Apple ID on any device by going to Settings (iPhone/iPad/Mac) or the Apple ID website (Windows), then choosing the option to create a new account.
  • Apple will send a verification code to the email address you provide, so you must be able to check that email immediately after entering it.
  • Your password must be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character like ! or @.
  • After you create your Apple ID, you can sign in on any Apple device or at iCloud.com to access your account.

Creating an Apple ID on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Sign in with your Apple ID or iCloud — the exact wording depends on your iOS version. Tap it, then look for the option that says Don't have an Apple ID or forgot it? and tap Create Apple ID.

Enter your birth date, then your real name or the name you want to use. On the next screen, choose whether to use your current email address or create a new iCloud email address (one that ends in @icloud.com). If you create a new iCloud address, Apple will generate one for you based on your name, though you can edit it. Tap Next.

Create a password that is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character. Apple will tell you if your password is strong enough. Enter it twice to confirm, then tap Next.

Apple will send a verification code to the email address you chose. Open your email app, find the message from Apple, and copy the six-digit code. Return to Settings and enter the code in the field that appears. Once verified, you can set up two-factor authentication (a security feature that requires a code from a trusted device when you sign in from somewhere new) or skip it for now.

Creating an Apple ID on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Sign in with your Apple ID or look for iCloud in the sidebar. Click Create Apple ID.

Follow the same steps as on iPhone: enter your birth date, name, email address, and a strong password. Apple will send a verification code to your email. Check your email, copy the code, and enter it in the Mac settings window. Once verified, your Apple ID is ready to use on your Mac.

Creating an Apple ID on Windows

Go to appleid.apple.com in your web browser and click Create your Apple ID. Enter your name, email address, and birth date. Choose a strong password and enter it twice.

Select a phone number or recovery email address for account recovery — this is how Apple will contact you if you forget your password. Enter the phone number or email, then click Continue. Apple will send a verification code to whichever method you chose. Check your phone for a text message or your email for a message from Apple, copy the code, and enter it on the website. Your Apple ID is now created.

What to do if you do not receive the verification code

Check your spam or junk folder — sometimes the email from Apple ends up there by mistake. If you still do not see it after waiting two minutes, go back to the sign-in screen and choose Didn't receive a code? to request a new one.

If you chose a phone number for verification and did not receive a text, make sure the number is correct and that your phone can receive text messages. Some carriers block messages from short codes; if that is the case, you can switch to email verification instead by going back and selecting the recovery email option.

Signing in with your new Apple ID

Once your Apple ID is created and verified, you can sign in on any Apple device. On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to Settings or System Settings, tap or click Sign in with your Apple ID, and enter your email address and password. On Windows, visit appleid.apple.com and click Sign in.

After you sign in, your device will sync your contacts, photos, calendar events, and other data to iCloud — Apple's cloud storage service. You can turn off syncing for any of these categories in Settings if you prefer not to store them in the cloud.

Choosing a strong password and keeping your account safe

Your Apple ID password should never be the same as passwords you use elsewhere. If someone gets your Apple ID password, they can access your photos, emails, payment methods, and any device linked to your account. Make your password at least 12 characters long if you can, and use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

After you create your account, turn on two-factor authentication in your Apple ID settings. This means that whenever you sign in from a new device, Apple will send a code to a trusted device you already own — making it much harder for someone else to access your account even if they know your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a phone number instead of an email address for my Apple ID?

No, Apple requires an email address as your Apple ID username. You can use any email address you own — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or an iCloud address. You can add a phone number later as a recovery method, but the email is what you sign in with.

What if I already have an iCloud email address from an old device?

You can sign in with that email address instead of creating a new one. On the sign-in screen, choose Sign in with your Apple ID and enter your iCloud email and password. If you forgot the password, tap Forgot Apple ID or password? and follow the recovery steps.

Do I need a credit card to create an Apple ID?

No, you can create an Apple ID without a credit card. You will only need to add a payment method if you want to buy apps, music, movies, or other content from the Apple App Store or iTunes. You can add a card later whenever you are ready.

Can I change my Apple ID email address after I create it?

Yes, but only if you created it with a non-iCloud email address. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Account, and look for the option to change your email. If your Apple ID is an iCloud address, you cannot change it to a different email, though you can add a recovery email for account access.

What happens if I forget my Apple ID password?

Go to appleid.apple.com and click Forgot Apple ID or password? Enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using either a recovery email address or a phone number you set up when you created the account. Once verified, you can create a new password.