How to create a new Apple Account

With your Apple Account, you can access all Apple devices and services – such as iCloud, the App Store and more.

Not sure if you have an Apple Account? You may be able to sign in on your device or on the web with an email address or phone number that you use with Apple services.

When you’re signed in on your device, you can find and add additional email addresses and phone numbers that you can use to sign in to your Apple Account. Open Settings (or System Settings), select your name, then choose Sign-In & Security to see these options.

Find out how to create an Apple Account for your child

Apple ID is now Apple Account. You can still sign in with the same email address or phone number and password.

Create your Apple Account on iPhone, iPad or Apple Vision Pro

You can create a new Apple Account when you set up your device, or set it up later in the App Store.

Create your Apple Account when you set up your device

  1. Tap “Forgotten password or don’t have an Apple Account?”

  2. Tap Create a Free Apple Account.

    iPhone screen showing the option to select Create a Free Apple Account

  3. Select your birthday and enter your name. Tap Continue.

  4. Provide your email address. This primary email address will be what you use to sign in to your Apple Account. If you don’t have an email address, tap “Don’t have an email address?” to get a free iCloud email address.

  5. Follow the on-screen steps to verify your email address, create a strong password, set your country or region, and set up two-factor authentication. If you choose to skip this step, you’ll be prompted to do this later in Settings.

After you’ve verified your email address, you can sign in to your new Apple Account to use the App Store and other Apple services such as iCloud.

As you use your new device, you may be asked to enter your phone number, or a payment method and billing information. Your phone number can help to verify your identity and recover your account if needed. If you enter a payment method, you won’t be charged until you make a purchase.

Create your Apple Account using the App Store on your device

  1. Open the App Store and tap the My Account button.

  2. Tap Create New Apple Account. If you don’t see this option, make sure you’re signed out of iCloud.

    iPhone screen showing the option to Create New Apple Account

  3. Follow the on-screen steps to provide an email address, create a strong password and set your country or region. The email address that you provide will be used to sign in to your new Apple Account.*

  4. Enter your payment method and billing information, then tap Next. You can also choose None. You won’t be charged until you make a purchase.

  5. Confirm your phone number. This can help you verify your identity and recover your account, if needed. Tap Next.

  6. Check your email for a verification email from Apple and verify your email address.

After you’ve verified your email address, you can sign in to your new Apple Account to use the App Store and other Apple services such as iCloud.

* In China mainland, you may be required to provide a +86 phone number for your Apple Account. You can change the number later, or change your country or region to a location that doesn’t require it. This number is only used for verification purposes.

An Apple Account can be created on an iOS device with iOS 9 or later.

Create your Apple Account on Mac

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.

  2. In the sidebar, click Sign in.

  3. Click “Don’t Have an Account?”, then follow the on-screen steps to enter your date of birth, provide an email address, create a strong password and set your country or region. This primary email address will be what you use to sign in to your Apple Account.*

    Mac screen showing the button for Don't Have An Account?

  4. Enter your payment method and billing information, then click Continue. You can also choose None. You won’t be charged until you make a purchase.

  5. Confirm your phone number. This can help you verify your identity and recover your account, if needed. Click Next.

  6. Check your email for a verification email from Apple and verify your email address.

After you’ve verified your email address, you can sign in to your new Apple Account to use the App Store and other Apple services such as iCloud.

* In China mainland, you may be required to provide a +86 phone number for your Apple Account. You can change the number later, or change your country or region to a location that doesn’t require it. This number is only used for verification purposes.

An Apple Account can be created on a Mac with OS X Capitan or later.

Watch a video about how to create an Apple Account

Create your Apple Account on a Windows PC

On your Windows PC, you can create an Apple Account in the Apple TV app, the Apple Music app or iTunes for Windows.

In the Apple TV app or Apple Music app

  1. Click Sign In at the bottom of the sidebar.

  2. Click Sign In.

  3. Click Create New Apple Account.

  4. Follow the onscreen steps to provide an email address, create a strong password and set your device region. This primary email address will be what you use to sign in to your Apple Account.*

  5. Enter your payment method and billing information, then click Continue. You can also choose None. You won’t be charged until you make a purchase.

  6. Check your email for a verification email from Apple and verify your email address.

After you’ve verified your email address, you can sign in to your new Apple Account to use Apple services.

* In China mainland, you may be required to provide a +86 phone number for your Apple Account. You can change the number later, or change your country or region to a location that doesn’t require it. This number is only used for verification purposes.

In iTunes for Windows

  1. Open iTunes for Windows.

  2. From the menu bar at the top of your computer screen or at the top of the iTunes window, choose Account > Sign in. Then click Create New Apple Account.

  3. Follow the onscreen steps to provide an email address, create a strong password and set your device region. This primary email address will be what you use to sign in to your Apple Account.*

  4. Enter your payment method and billing information, then click Continue. You can also choose None. You won’t be charged until you make a purchase.

  5. Check your email for a verification email from Apple and verify your email address.

After you’ve verified your email address, you can sign in to your new Apple Account to use Apple services.

* In China mainland, you may be required to provide a +86 phone number for your Apple Account. You can change the number later, or change your country or region to a location that doesn’t require it. This number is only used for verification purposes.

Create your Apple Account on another device

To create your Apple Account on an Apple TV, Android device, smart TV or streaming device, you can usually follow the steps provided onscreen and enter your full name, date of birth, an email address or phone number, and a payment method. If you set up the Apple TV app on your smart TV, you may be redirected to activate.apple.com to create your Apple Account. You can also use the steps below to create your Apple Account on the web.

Create your Apple Account on the web

  1. Go to account.apple.com and click Create Your Apple Account.

    Web screen showing the link for Create your Apple Account

  2. Follow the onscreen steps to provide an email address, create a strong password and set your device region. This primary email address will be what you use to sign in to your Apple Account.*

  3. Enter your date of birth and a phone number that you can always access.

  4. Tick the boxes to subscribe to Apple Updates if you’d like. This keeps you up to date on the latest news, software, products and services from Apple.

  5. Click Continue.

  6. Follow the onscreen steps to verify your email address and phone number.

After you’ve verified your email address, you can sign in to your new Apple Account to use the App Store and other Apple services such as iCloud.

* In China mainland, you may be required to provide a +86 phone number for your Apple Account. You can change the number later, or change your country or region to a location that doesn’t require it. This number is only used for verification purposes.

If you see a message stating that you need to sign in to iTunes

If you created your Apple Account on the web and see a message that you need to sign in to iTunes, follow the steps below for your device:

  • On iPhone or iPad: open Settings, then tap Sign in to [device]. Then sign in to your Apple Account.

  • On Mac: Choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then select Apple Account and sign in to your Apple Account.

  • On Apple TV: Sign in to the App Store or other Apple services with your Apple Account. You can also open Settings, then tap Users and Accounts. Select Add Default User or Add New User and sign in to your Apple Account, then follow the prompted steps.

  • On an Android device: Go to tv.apple.com or music.apple.com and sign in to your Apple Account.

  • On a Windows PC: Go to the Microsoft Store, then download and install the Apple TV app or the Apple Music app and sign in to your Apple Account.

Store availability and features may vary by country or region.

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