What you're actually doing when you "make" an iCloud account

Creating a new iCloud account means setting up an Apple ID — the single login that gives you access to iCloud storage, email, Find My iPhone, and other Apple services. You cannot have iCloud without an Apple ID, and you cannot have an Apple ID without creating one through Apple's website or through an Apple device. The account itself is free to create; Apple charges only if you want more than 5 gigabytes of storage.

Most people create an Apple ID either because they bought an iPhone, iPad, or Mac and the device prompted them during setup, or because they want to use iCloud email or cloud storage on their own. Either way, the process takes about five minutes and requires only an email address, a password, and a way to verify your identity.

Key Takeaways

  • An Apple ID and an iCloud account are the same thing — you create one login that works across all Apple services.
  • You can create an Apple ID on any Apple device during setup, or on Apple's website at appleid.apple.com without owning any Apple hardware.
  • Apple will ask you to verify your identity by entering a code sent to an email address or phone number you provide.
  • The first 5 gigabytes of iCloud storage are free; additional storage costs between $0.99 and $9.99 per month depending on how much you need.
  • Once created, your Apple ID works when ready for email, cloud storage, and app purchases across all your devices.

Creating an Apple ID on a new device

If you just bought an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the device will walk you through creating an Apple ID the first time you turn it on. You will see a screen that says "Sign in with your Apple ID" or "Create Apple ID." Tap or click "Create Apple ID" and the device will ask for your name, email address, and a password.

The password must be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol (like ! or @). Apple will also ask you to choose a security question and answer — something like "What was the name of your first pet?" — so you can recover your account if you forget your password later. After you enter all this information, Apple sends a verification code to the email address you provided. You type that code back into the device, and your account is active.

If you skip this step during device setup, you can create an Apple ID later by going to Settings (on iPhone or iPad) or System Settings (on Mac), then tapping or clicking your name at the top, then selecting "Create Apple ID."

Creating an Apple ID on the web without a device

You do not need to own an Apple device to create an Apple ID. Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and click "Create your Apple ID." Enter your name, email address, phone number, and a password. Apple will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to either your email or phone — you choose which one. Type the code into the website, and your account is created.

This route is useful if you want to set up iCloud email or storage before you buy a device, or if you want to create an account for someone else (like a child) and manage it from your own computer. The process is identical to creating an account on a device, just done through a website instead.

What happens after you create your account

Once your Apple ID is verified, you can when ready use iCloud email (your address will be yourname@icloud.com), store files in iCloud Drive, back up your photos to iCloud Photos, and use Find My to locate your devices. If you own multiple Apple devices, you can sign in with the same Apple ID on all of them, and your data will sync across all of them automatically.

Apple gives you 5 gigabytes of free storage. If you need more — for example, to back up an iPhone or store a large photo library — you can buy additional storage through Settings or System Settings. A 50-gigabyte plan costs $0.99 per month, 200 gigabytes costs $2.99 per month, and 2 terabytes (2,000 gigabytes) costs $9.99 per month. You can change your storage plan or cancel it at any time.

Keeping your Apple ID find

Your Apple ID is the key to your entire Apple ecosystem, so protecting it matters. Use a password that is unique — do not reuse a password from another account — and do not share it with anyone. If someone has your Apple ID and password, they can access your photos, emails, location data, and payment methods.

Apple offers two-factor authentication, which adds a second layer of security. When you turn it on, anyone trying to sign in to your account from a new device will need to enter a code that Apple sends to a trusted device you already own. This means even if someone steals your password, they cannot access your account without also having one of your phones or computers. Two-factor authentication is turned on automatically for most new accounts, but you can check by going to appleid.apple.com, signing in, and looking at the "Security" section.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you forget your password, go to appleid.apple.com and click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" Apple will ask you to verify your identity using the security questions you answered when you created your account, or by entering a code sent to your email or phone. Once verified, you can create a new password.

If you do not receive the verification code Apple sends, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes the email gets filtered by mistake. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and request a new code. If you are using a phone number instead of email, make sure the number is correct and that your phone can receive text messages. If you still cannot receive codes, you can verify your identity using your security questions instead.

If you want to use a different email address for your Apple ID, you can change it in the Security section of appleid.apple.com. Apple will send a verification code to both your old email and your new email to make sure you own both addresses.

The difference between an Apple ID and an iCloud email address

Your Apple ID is your login — the username and password you use to sign into Apple services. Your iCloud email address (yourname@icloud.com) is one of the things your Apple ID gives you access to. You can use any email address to create an Apple ID, not just an iCloud address. For example, you could create an Apple ID using your Gmail address, and then also get an iCloud email address as a bonus.

If you create an Apple ID with an iCloud email address, that same address becomes your login. If you create an Apple ID with a different email (like Gmail), you can still get an iCloud email address, but you will sign in using your original email address. Most people find it simpler to create their Apple ID with an iCloud address from the start, so their login and their Apple email are the same thing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an Apple ID without a credit card?

Yes. You can create an Apple ID and use the free 5 gigabytes of iCloud storage without entering any payment information. If you want to buy apps or upgrade to paid storage later, you can add a credit card at that time. During account creation, Apple will ask for a payment method, but you can skip this step.

What if I already have an iCloud email address from years ago?

You can sign back into that account by going to appleid.apple.com and entering your iCloud email address and password. If you forgot the password, click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" and verify your identity using your security questions or a code sent to your phone. Your old account and all its data are still there.

Can I create multiple Apple IDs?

Yes, you can create as many Apple IDs as you want using different email addresses. However, most people need only one. If you want to separate work and personal data, you can create a second Apple ID, but you will need to sign out of one and sign into the other on your device to switch between them.

Do I need an Apple ID to use an iPhone?

Yes. iPhones require an Apple ID to set up and use. You can create one during the initial setup process, or you can create one beforehand on the web and sign in during setup. Either way, you cannot use an iPhone without an Apple ID.

What if someone created an Apple ID using my email address?

Go to appleid.apple.com and click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" Enter your email address. If an account exists, Apple will send a verification code to that email. If you receive the code, you can reset the password and take control of the account. If you do not receive the code, contact Apple Support and explain that someone created an account using your email without your permission.