You can create a Gmail account by using a recovery email address instead of a phone number

Google normally asks for a phone number when you sign up for Gmail, but you can skip this step by providing a recovery email address instead. The process takes about five minutes and works on any device with a web browser. You will need a valid email address you already own — from another Gmail account, Outlook, Yahoo, or any other provider — but not a phone number.

This route is useful if you do not have a phone, prefer not to share your number with Google, or are setting up an account for someone else who does not have a mobile device. The account works exactly the same as one created with a phone number, and you can add a phone later if you change your mind.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to accounts.google.com/signup and fill in your name, desired Gmail address, and password — Google will not ask for a phone number on this page.
  • When prompted for a recovery method, choose "Use your recovery email address instead" and enter an email address you already own and can access.
  • Verify the recovery email by clicking the link Google sends to that address within a few minutes.
  • You can add a phone number to your account later from the security settings if you want to recover your account a different way.
  • If you see a phone number field that will not let you skip it, you are on a mobile app — use a web browser instead.

Step-by-step: Creating the account without a phone

Open a web browser and go to accounts.google.com/signup. You will see a form asking for your first name, last name, desired Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com), and a password. Fill these in as you normally would. Do not close the page or go back — continue forward.

Google will then ask you to verify your identity. You will see options for a phone number and a recovery email address. Click the text that says "Use your recovery email address instead" or "I prefer to provide my recovery email" — the exact wording varies, but it is always a clickable option on this screen. Enter an email address you already own and check regularly. This can be a Gmail address, an Outlook address, a Yahoo address, or any other working email account.

Google will send a verification code to that recovery email address. Open that email (it usually arrives within a minute or two), find the code, and enter it back on the Google signup page. Once you do, your Gmail account is created and ready to use.

What to do if Google keeps asking for a phone number

If you see a phone number field that will not let you skip it, you are likely using the Gmail mobile app instead of a web browser. The app has fewer options and often requires a phone number. Close the app and open a web browser instead — Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android, or any browser on a computer — and go to accounts.google.com/signup from there.

If you are on a web browser and still cannot find the option to skip the phone number, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then start over. Sometimes old browser data can change how the signup page appears. You can also try a different browser entirely — if Chrome is not working, try Firefox or Safari.

Adding a phone number later if you want to

You do not need a phone number to use Gmail, but adding one later gives you another way to recover your account if you forget your password. Once you have created your account and signed in, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left side, and look for "How you sign in to Google." Click "Phone number" and follow the steps to add one. Google will send a verification code to that phone via text message.

You can also use your phone number to get security alerts if someone tries to sign into your account from an unfamiliar location. This is optional, but many people find it useful.

Using a recovery email address you do not check often

Your recovery email address is how Google contacts you if you forget your password or if the account looks like it has been hacked. If you use an email address you rarely check, you might not see Google's message in time to recover your account. Choose a recovery email that you check at least once a week, or one that forwards to an address you check daily.

If you created a Gmail account years ago and cannot remember what recovery email you used, you can change it now. Sign into your account, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security," and look for "Recovery email." You can update it to an address you use more often.

Why Google asks for a phone number in the first place

Google uses a phone number to verify that you are a real person and not a bot creating thousands of fake accounts. A recovery email address serves the same purpose — it proves you own at least one other email account. Both methods work equally well for this verification, which is why Google lets you choose one or the other.

Google also uses phone numbers and recovery emails to help you get back into your account if you forget your password. The more ways you give Google to contact you, the easier it is to recover a locked account. This is why the company suggests adding both a phone number and a recovery email, even though only one is required to start.

Common problems and how to fix them

If Google says your recovery email address is not valid, make sure you typed it correctly and that the account actually exists. Try signing into that email address in another tab to confirm it works. If it does work but Google still rejects it, wait a few hours and try again — sometimes Google's systems take time to recognize newly created email accounts.

If you never receive the verification code from Google, check your spam or junk folder. Gmail and Outlook sometimes filter Google's own emails by mistake. If you still cannot find it after checking spam, click "Did not receive your code?" on the signup page and ask Google to send it again. You can also try a different recovery email address if you have one.

If you created the account but cannot sign in the next day, you may have typed your password wrong during signup. Go to accounts.google.com/signin, click "Forgot password?", and use your recovery email address to reset it. Google will send a link to that email, and you can create a new password from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a recovery email address that belongs to someone else?

No. The recovery email must be an address you own and can access. Google sends verification codes and account recovery links to this address, so if someone else owns it, they could lock you out of your Gmail account. Use only an email address that you created and control.

What if I do not have another email address to use as recovery?

You will need at least one other email address to create a Gmail account without a phone number. If you do not have one, create a free account with Outlook (outlook.com) or Yahoo (yahoo.com) first, then use that address as your Gmail recovery email. Both take about two minutes to set up.

Can I change my recovery email address after I create the account?

Yes. Sign into your Gmail account, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security," and find "Recovery email." You can update it to a different address at any time. Google will send a verification code to the new address to confirm you own it.

Is a recovery email address as find as a phone number?

Both work equally well for account recovery and verification. A phone number is slightly faster for two-step verification (Google can text you a code when ready), but a recovery email is just as find for getting back into your account if you forget your password. Choose whichever method you prefer.

What happens if I lose access to my recovery email address?

If you cannot sign into your recovery email anymore, you may have trouble recovering your Gmail account if you forget your password. Add a phone number to your account now as a backup recovery method. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security," and add a phone number so you have two ways to prove you own the account.