How to Create an Apple ID on an iPhone

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 4, 2020 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to create a new Apple ID, which you need to do things like downloading apps, making purchases from iTunes, and connecting to iCloud.

Steps

1
Open Settings. It's a gray app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically located on your home screen.
2
Tap Sign in to your iPhone. It's at the top of the menu.^{[1]
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- If another Apple ID is currently signed in and you wish to create a different one, tap that user's Apple ID and then tap Sign Out at the bottom of the Apple ID menu. Follow the prompts to sign out.
- If you are running an older version of iOS, instead tap iCloud and then tap Create a new Apple ID.
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3
Tap Don't have an Apple ID or forgot it?. It's below the password field.
4
Tap Create Apple ID.
5
Enter your birthday. Scroll the month, day, and year fields at the bottom of the screen to enter your birthday.
6
Tap Next. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
7
Enter your first and last name. Type them in their respective fields.
8
Tap Next. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
9
Select an email address to use.
- To use an existing email address, tap Use your current email address.
- To create a new iCloud email address, tap Get a free iCloud email address and follow the on-screen prompts.
10
Enter your email address. This will be your Apple ID.
11
Tap Next. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
12
Enter and verify a password. Type it into the labeled fields.
- Your password must have at least 8 characters (including a number and an uppercase and lowercase letter) with no spaces. It also shouldn't have three consecutive characters (ggg), be your Apple ID, or a previous password you've used in the last year.
13
Tap Next. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
14
Select your country. If it's not auto-filled for you, tap on the field next to "Country" and tap the country associated with your phone number.
15
Enter your phone number. If it's not auto-filled, tap the field next to "Number" and type in your phone number.
16
Select a verification method. Tap either Text Message or Phone Call to indicate how you'd like Apple to verify your phone number.
17
Tap Next. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
- A verification code will be sent to you by text message or via phone call.
18
Enter the verification code. Enter the six-digit verification code you received and tap Next.
- If you received the code via text, your iPhone may recognize it and autofill it for you.
19
Review the terms and conditions. If you prefer to have them sent to you by email, tap Send by Email at the top of the screen.
20
Tap Agree. It's in the lower-right corner of the screen.
21
Tap Agree. If you're not automatically signed into iCloud, enter the email you used to create your Apple ID and password into the labeled fields.
22
Tap Sign In. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
- The screen will intermittently display the message "Signing into iCloud" as it accesses your data during the sign-in process.
23
Enter your iPhone's passcode. This is the unlock code you established for your device when you set it up.
24
Merge your data. If you'd like any calendars, reminders, contacts, notes, or other data already stored on your iPhone to be merged with your iCloud account, tap Merge; if not, tap Don't Merge.
- You've now created an Apple ID and signed into your iPhone with it.
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Community Q&A

Question

Do I have to pay money for starting an Apple ID?

Community Answer

No. Apple IDs are completely free.
Question

How can I create a new Apple ID if I don't know any portions of my gift card codes?

Community Answer

You can't use a gift card code to sign up for an Apple ID at first. You can redeem gift cards after your account has been set up. If you have no billing cards (credit cards or debit cards), please refer to Create an Apple ID Without a Credit Card to get you going.
Question

Can the same Apple ID continue with a different iPhone?

Community Answer

Yes. Apple IDs can be transferred from one device to another, and even when you own two or more Apple devices at once, they can all use the same Apple ID interchangeably.
Question

If my spouse has an Apple ID, can I still create one without messing up their account on the same phone?

Community Answer

Yes and no. Although inconvenient due to your spouse needing to set up their settings again, with a few extra taps into the settings, you can log them off the device and create your own account. Then, when your account is set up, you can have your spouse log back into his/her Apple ID. However, this will remove any personal settings your spouse had stored, such as Push Notifications and lots of others that may be near and dear to them.
Question

Are email addresses from the Gmail and Hotmail servers allowed when you try to create your Apple ID?

Community Answer

It doesn't really matter what email you add to create your Apple ID on your iPhone; as long as you have an email account, you should be good to go. Even those outside of the two major email companies are even able to be created.
Question

What is a "rescue email" address?

Community Answer

A rescue email is a secondary email in case the primary email doesn't work for some reason. However, it's rarely used, but is still required.
Question

If verified, will the email address not be used again?

Community Answer

Once you've verified your email address for your Apple ID, you can't recreate the account using that email address again. Instead, use another email address to set up another account or log into your Apple device using this ID.
Question

What is the code for Visa?

Community Answer

Each credit card has a different security code. Although it can be determined based on your card number on the front of the card, Visa doesn't have one single solitary number that's used on all Visa cards. It may be located on the back of your card near the signature bar but if not, contact your issuing bank for details.
Question

Can I use my old email as an Apple ID?

Community Answer

No. Use your current email to create your Apple ID to ensure that Apple can contact you in an efficient manner. Keep your email as current as possible to ensure you have their receipts as well as they have your most current information should they need to contact you in the future.
Question

How can I enter both lower and uppercase letters for my password?

Community Answer

Use your iPhone's keyboard for entering these letters. The shift key on the left side third row of the keyboard can be used to switch into uppercase mode.

Warnings

If you don't have a credit card, Apple will not allow you to create an account. You must have a working credit card (debit cards with a credit-card symbol also work) account stored on your iPhone to be able to properly use it. Therefore, if you don't have one, don't try to even think about signing up just yet.

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