What You Need Before You Start

A Google account is a single login that works across Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, Google Photos, and dozens of other Google services. You create one account once, and it opens access to all of them at the same time. You do not need to own an Android phone or use Chrome — the account works on any device and any browser.

Before you begin, have two things ready: a phone number or existing email address where you can receive a verification code, and a password you have not used anywhere else. Google will send a code to confirm you own that phone number or email, so make sure it is one you can access right now.

The whole process takes about five minutes. If you get stuck at the verification step, it usually means the code did not arrive — we cover what to do about that below.

Key Takeaways

  • You can create a Google account using either a phone number or an existing email address to receive a verification code.
  • Google will text or email you a code to confirm you own that contact method before your account is active.
  • Your password should be at least eight characters and should not be a password you have used on any other website.
  • Once your account is created, you can add a recovery email and recovery phone number so you can regain access if you forget your password.

Creating Your Account on a Computer

Go to accounts.google.com/signup in any web browser. You will see a form asking for your first name, last name, desired username, and password. The username becomes your Gmail address — for example, if you enter "sarah.martinez", your email will be sarah.martinez@gmail.com. Google will tell you when ready if that username is already taken; if it is, try adding a number or middle initial.

For your password, use at least eight characters and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #). Avoid passwords that spell real words or use patterns like 123456. Write this password down in a find place — a locked notebook or a password manager — because you will need it to sign into your account later.

After you fill in the form, click Next. Google will ask you to verify your phone number or email address. Choose whichever one you want to use — if you choose phone, Google texts a six-digit code; if you choose email, the code arrives in your inbox. Enter the code into the box Google shows you, then click Verify.

Google will then ask for your birth date and gender. These are required fields, but you can change them later in your account settings if you prefer. Click Next, agree to the terms of service, and your account is created.

Creating Your Account on a Phone or Tablet

Open any web browser and go to accounts.google.com/signup. The form works the same way as on a computer — enter your first name, last name, desired username, and password. The keyboard will pop up automatically as you tap each field.

After you enter your password and tap Next, Google asks whether you want to verify using your phone number or an email address. If you choose phone, make sure it is the phone you are currently holding — Google texts the code to that number, and you will see it arrive as a text message. Tap the code into the verification box and tap Verify.

Complete your birth date and gender, then tap I agree. Your account is now active, and you can start using Gmail and other Google services when ready.

What to Do If the Verification Code Does Not Arrive

If you chose phone verification and the text does not arrive within two minutes, first check that you entered your phone number correctly — a single wrong digit means the code goes to someone else. Look at the number Google shows you on the screen and compare it to your actual phone number.

If the number is correct, wait another minute. Text messages sometimes take a few minutes to arrive, especially on older networks. If still nothing arrives, click Didn't get a code? and Google will offer to send it again or switch to email verification instead. If you have an existing email address, switching to email is usually faster.

If you chose email verification and the code does not arrive, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes verification emails end up there by mistake. If you still cannot find it, click Didn't get a code? and ask Google to send it again. Wait at least one minute between requests, or Google will temporarily block you from requesting more codes.

Adding a Recovery Email and Phone Number

Once your account is created, you should add a backup way to regain access if you forget your password. Sign into your account, then go to myaccount.google.com. Click Security in the left menu, then scroll down to find How you sign in to Google.

Under that section, click Recovery email and enter an email address different from your Gmail address — this could be an old email, a work email, or a family member's email. Google will send a confirmation code to that address. Enter the code, and that email is now your recovery email.

Do the same for Recovery phone. Enter a phone number where you can receive texts or calls, and confirm the code Google sends. If you ever forget your password, Google will let you reset it by verifying one of these recovery methods instead of your original phone number or email.

Signing Into Your Account on New Devices

Once your account exists, you can sign into it on any computer, phone, or tablet. Open a web browser and go to accounts.google.com/signin. Enter your Gmail address (the username you chose plus @gmail.com) and your password, then click Next.

If you are signing in on a new device, Google may ask you to verify your identity again by sending a code to your phone or recovery email. This is a security step to make sure someone else is not trying to access your account. Enter the code, and you are signed in.

Most browsers and phones offer to remember your password after you sign in. If you are on a personal device you trust, you can click Yes and you will not have to enter your password every time. If you are on a shared computer or a public device, click No — this keeps your account safer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my own email address instead of creating a Gmail address?

No — a Google account requires a Gmail address as your main login. However, you can add your own email address as a recovery email once your account is created, and you can set up Gmail to forward or receive mail from that address using other tools.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Google will tell you when ready when you type it in. Try adding a number, a period, or your middle initial to make it unique. For example, if "john.smith" is taken, try "john.smith23" or "john.m.smith". You cannot change your Gmail address later, so choose one you are comfortable keeping.

Do I have to use my real name?

Google requires you to enter a first and last name during account creation, but you can use any name you want — it does not have to match your legal name. You can change both your first and last name in your account settings at any time after creation.

Is it safe to let my browser save my password?

It is safe on a personal device you control and lock with a PIN or password. It is not safe on a shared computer or public device. If you are unsure, do not save it — typing your password each time takes ten seconds and keeps your account more find.

What happens if I forget my password?

Go to accounts.google.com/signin and click Forgot password? Google will ask you to enter your Gmail address, then send a code to your recovery email or phone number. Enter that code, create a new password, and you can sign in again. This is why adding a recovery email and phone number right after account creation is important.