A Gmail account is useful for more than sending emails. You’ll also use it to sign in to YouTube, save files in Google Drive, download apps, and use other Google services. Maybe you need your first email address, or perhaps you want a separate one for work. Either way, setting it up doesn’t take long.
Creating Gmail also creates a Google Account. You can use the same email address and password across most Google services. This guide will tell you how to create a new Gmail account on a computer or phone and what to do if your chosen address isn’t available.
What Do You Need Before Creating a Gmail Account?
You don’t need much to get started. Still, preparing a few details can save time during signup.
You’ll normally need:
- Your first and last name
- Your correct date of birth
- A new Gmail username
- A strong password
- A phone number if Google requests verification
- A recovery email if you have another address
Think of two or three possible usernames before you begin. Simple names are usually taken, especially common ones. If your first choice isn’t available, Google may show a few suggestions.
Google may also ask for the phone number. Sometimes this step can be skipped but not always. It may depend on your device, location or recent account activity. Don’t use the temporary number because you may need that number to recover the account later.
How to Create a New Gmail Account on a Computer
The signup screens may look slightly different over time but the main process stays pretty much the same.
- Open the Google sign-in page. Open your browser and go to Google Account sign-in screen. If another account is already open, you can sign out or choose option to use another account.
- Select Create account. Google will ask who the account is for. Choose Personal use for a normal Gmail address. There are also options for a child and for work or business.
- Enter your basic information. Add your name, birthday, and gender when requested. Use correct information because it may help with account recovery later. Your birthday can also affect which Google features are available.
- Choose your Gmail address. Google may suggest some available addresses, or you can create your own. The part you choose appears before @gmail.com. Try to make it easy to read and remember.
- Create a strong password. Pick something you haven’t used on another website. A mix of words, numbers and symbols works better than the simple name or birthday. Enter it again to make sure there’s no typing mistake.
- Complete phone verification if requested. Enter a phone number you can access. Google will send a verification code by text or call. Type that code into the box shown on the screen.
- Review the details and finish signup. You may be asked to add a recovery email and review Google’s terms and privacy options. Read through the choices, make your selections, and finish creating the account. After that, you can open your Gmail inbox.
How to Create Another Gmail Account on a Phone
You don’t have to remove your current Gmail account before creating another one. The Gmail app can hold the several accounts and you can switch between them whenever you need.
Open Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the upper corner. Choose Add another account, select Google and then tap Create account. Pick whether the new account is for personal use, a child or the business.
Enter your real name, birthday and other requested details. Then choose your new Gmail address and create a password. Google may ask you to verify a phone number before finishing the setup.
The buttons may sit in slightly different places on Android, iPhone and iPad. It happens when the app gets an update. The basic path is still the same:profile picture, Add another account, Google and Create account.
What If Your Gmail Address Is Already Taken?
Every Gmail address has to be unique. If someone already owns the address you entered, you can’t use it. An address that belonged to a deleted account may not become available again either.
Try adding a middle initial, a short word or the meaningful number. For example, if alexbrown@gmail.com isn’t available, you could try a version connected to your profession or location. Avoid adding long strings of random numbers. Honestly, those addresses are hard to say aloud and even harder to remember.
Gmail usernames generally allow letters, numbers, and periods. They don’t support characters such as underscores or dashes. Also adding a period may not create a truly different Gmail address because dots are generally ignored in regular Gmail usernames.
What Should You Do After Creating the Account?
Don’t close everything the second your inbox appears. Spend another minute setting up recovery and security options. That small step can save you a lot of trouble later.
- Add a recovery phone number you control.
- Add another email address for account recovery.
- Turn on two-step verification.
- Save the password in a safe password manager.
- Check that your name and birthday are correct.
- Send a test email to make sure everything works.
Never share a Google verification code with another person. Google support won’t ask you to send your password or sign-in code through email or chat.
Final Thoughts
Creating a new Gmail account is fairly simple. Choose Create account, enter your details, pick an available Gmail address, set a strong password and complete verification if Google requests it. The same account can then be used for Gmail, Drive, YouTube, Calendar and other Google services.
Are you creating your first Gmail address, or do you need a second account for work or personal use?
