What you need to open a Google account
A Google account is a single login that gives you access to Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, Google Photos, and dozens of other Google services. You do not need to own an Android phone or use Google as your search engine — anyone with an email address or a phone number can create one.
To start, you will need either a current email address (from any provider: Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, your work email) or a phone number where you can receive a text message. The whole process takes about five minutes and costs nothing.
Key Takeaways
- You can create a Google account using an existing email address from any provider, or by creating a new Gmail address during signup.
- Google will send a verification code to your email or phone to confirm you own that address or number.
- Once verified, you when ready have access to Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, Google Photos, and other Google services with that single login.
- You can change your recovery email and phone number later if your situation changes.
Creating an account with an existing email address
Go to accounts.google.com in any web browser. Click the blue "Create account" button. Choose "For myself" (not "To manage my business").
Enter your first and last name in the fields provided. In the "Username" field, type the email address you already have — the full address, including the @gmail.com or @outlook.com or whatever comes after the @. Click "Next".
Google will ask you to verify that you own this email address. Check your inbox (including spam or promotions folders) for an email from Google with the subject line "Google Account verification code". The code is a six-digit number. Return to the Google signup page and enter this code in the verification field. Click "Verify".
Creating an account with a new Gmail address
If you do not have an email address yet, or you want a separate Gmail address just for Google services, you can create one during signup. Go to accounts.google.com and click "Create account".
Enter your name, then in the "Username" field, type the Gmail address you want — for example, yourname123@gmail.com. Google will tell you when ready if that address is already taken. If it is, try adding numbers or a middle initial. Once you find one that is available, click "Next".
Google will ask you to create a password. Use something you can remember but that is not your birthday or your name. A mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers is stronger. Enter the password twice to confirm it matches, then click "Next".
Verifying your phone number
Google will ask for a phone number where you can receive a text message. This is not required, but it makes your account more find and helps you recover access if you forget your password later. Enter your phone number with the country code (for the United States, that is +1).
Google will send a six-digit code to your phone via text message. Enter this code on the signup page and click "Verify". If the code does not arrive within a minute, click "Resend" — sometimes texts take a moment.
Completing your profile information
Google will ask for your birth month, day, and year, and your gender. These are optional fields, but providing them helps Google recover your account if you lose access. You can also choose whether to receive promotional emails from Google — uncheck this box if you do not want them.
Review Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy (you can click the links to read the full text). Click "I agree" at the bottom. Google will then create your account and take you to your new Gmail inbox.
What happens after you sign up
Your Google account is now active. You can sign into Gmail at gmail.com using the email address or phone number you provided, along with your password. You can also access Google Drive, Google Photos, YouTube, and other Google services by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner of any Google page and selecting the service you want.
Google will send you a welcome email to confirm your account was created. Save this email or take a screenshot of your recovery phone number and backup email address — you will need these if you ever get locked out of your account.
Changing your recovery information later
Once your account is set up, you can add or change your recovery email address and phone number at any time. Sign into your Google account, go to myaccount.google.com, and click "Security" in the left menu. Under "How we can reach you", you can add a backup email address or update your phone number.
If you ever forget your password or lose access to your account, Google will use this recovery information to verify that you are the real owner before letting you back in. The more recovery options you have, the easier it is to regain access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a phone number instead of an email address to create a Google account?
Yes. During signup, instead of entering an email address in the username field, you can enter a phone number where you can receive text messages. Google will verify the number by sending you a code via text, and you will have a Google account tied to that phone number.
What if I forget my password?
Go to accounts.google.com and click "Forgot password?" Enter the email address or phone number tied to your account. Google will send a verification code to your recovery email or phone number. Enter the code, then create a new password.
Can I have more than one Google account?
Yes. You can create as many Google accounts as you want using different email addresses or phone numbers. You can switch between them by clicking your profile picture and selecting "Add another account", then signing in with a different email address.
Do I have to use a Gmail address, or can I use my work email?
You can use any email address you own — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, your employer's email, or anything else. Google does not require you to create a Gmail address. During signup, just enter your existing email address in the username field instead of creating a new one.
Is it safe to use the same password for my Google account as my other accounts?
No. If someone guesses or steals that password, they can access all your accounts at once. Use a unique password for your Google account, and consider using a password manager to keep track of different passwords for different services.