How to Create an iCloud Account

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: July 3, 2021 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to create an iCloud account by signing up for an Apple ID on an iPhone or iPad, a Mac, or via iCloud.com. When you sign up for an Apple ID, your free iCloud account is created for you; all you need to do is sign in.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using an iPhone or iPad

1
Open your device's Settings. It's a gray app that contains an image of gears (⚙️) and is typically found on your home screen.
2
Tap Sign in to your (device). It's at the top of the menu.^{[1]
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- If you're 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? below the password field.
4
Tap Create Apple ID. It's at the top of the pop-up menu.
5
Enter your birth date. Swipe up or down on the month, day, and year sections to enter a valid birth date and then tap Next in the top-right corner.
6
Enter your First and Last name. Then tap Next.
7
Enter a current email address or create a new iCloud email address. This email address will become the Apple ID you'll use to sign in to iCloud.
- Then tap Next.
8
Enter a valid password. Then tap Next.
9
Enter your phone number. Select whether you want to verify your phone number with a Text Message or a Phone Call. Then tap Next.
10
Enter the Verification Code. Then tap Next.
11
Tap Agree. It's in the bottom-right of the Terms and Conditions page. Then tap Agree on the pop-up menu.
12
Enter your device's passcode. This is the unlock code you established for your device when you set it up.
- The screen will display the message "Signing into iCloud" as it accesses your data.
13
Merge your data. If you have data on your phone such as calendars, reminders, contacts, and notes that you'd like merged with your new iCloud account, tap Merge; if not, tap Don't Merge.
- You will then be signed into your newly created iCloud account. You can now set up iCloud on your iPhone or iPad with your new iCloud account.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Mac

1
Click on the Apple menu. It's the  icon in the upper-left of your screen.
2
Click on System Preferences. It's in the second section of the drop-down menu.
3
Click on iCloud. It's on the left side of the window.
4
Click on Create Apple ID…. It's below the "Apple ID" field in the dialog box.
5
Enter your birth date. Use the drop-down menus in the dialog box to do so.
6
Click on Next. It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
7
Enter your first and last name. Do so in the fields at the top of the dialog box.
8
Enter an email address. This email address will become the Apple ID you use to sign in to iCloud.
- If you'd like an @iCloud.com email address, click on Get a free iCloud email address... beneath the password field.
9
Enter a password and confirm it. Do so in the fields near the bottom of the dialog box.
- 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 (222), be your Apple ID, or a previous password you've used in the last year.
10
Click on Next. It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
11
Create three security questions. Use the three drop-down menus in the dialog box to select the security questions, then type the answers in the fields beneath the drop down menus.
- Choose questions that you'll remember the answers for.
- Answers are case-sensitive.
12
Click on Next. It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
13
Check the box next to "I have read and agree…." It's in the lower-left part of the dialog box.
14
Click on Agree. It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
15
Check your email. Check for a message that was sent to the email address you entered for your Apple ID.
16
Open the email message from Apple. The subject line will likely be "Verify your Apple ID."
17
Click on Verify now >. It's a link in the body of the email message.
18
Enter your password. Type the password you created for your Apple ID in the "Password" field in the browser window.
19
Click on Continue. It's near the bottom-center of the browser window.
- You should see an "Email address verified" message on your screen.
- Follow onscreen prompts to configure iCloud on your Mac.
20
Go to the iCloud website. Do so from any browser.
21
Enter your Apple ID and password.
22
Click on ➲. It's on the right side of the password field. You can now use your iCloud account.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using iCloud.com

1
Go to www.icloud.com. Do so from any browser, including computers running Windows or Chromebooks.
2
Click on Create yours now.. It's below the Apple ID and Password fields and to the right of "Don't have an Apple ID?"
3
Enter an email address. This email address will become the Apple ID you use to sign in to iCloud.
4
Enter a password and confirm it. Do so in the fields near the center of the dialog box.
- 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 (222), be your Apple ID, or a previous password you've used in the last year.
5
Enter your first and last name. Do so in the fields near the middle of the dialog box.
6
Enter your birth date. Do so in the field near the middle of the dialog box.
7
Scroll down and create three security questions. Use the three drop-down menus in the dialog box to select the security questions, then type the answers in the fields beneath the drop down menus.
- Choose questions that you'll remember the answers for.
- Answers are case-sensitive.
8
Scroll down and select your country. Do so in the drop-down menu.
9
Scroll down and check or uncheck the Apple notifications boxes. Checking the boxes means you'll receive occasional email updates and announcements from Apple.
10
Scroll down and enter the jumbled characters. Do so in the field at the bottom of the dialog box to prove you're not a bot.
11
Click on Continue. It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
12
Check your email. Check for a message that was sent to the email address you entered for your Apple ID.
13
Open the email message from Apple. The subject line will likely be "Verify your Apple ID."
14
Enter the code. Type the six-digit code in the email message into the boxes on your browser screen.
15
Click on Continue. It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
16
Check the box next to "I have read and agree…." It's near the bottom of the dialog box.
17
Click on Agree. It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
18
Go to the iCloud website. Do so from any browser.
19
Enter your Apple ID and password.
20
Click on ➲. It's on the right side of the password field. You can now use your iCloud account.

Community Q&A

Question

How old does one have to be to open an iCloud account?

Moana Waialiki

Community Answer

13 years old is the minimum age Apple stipulates.
Question

What's the difference between and Apple ID and an iCloud account?

Community Answer

Your Apple ID is a comprehensive account that covers all Apple products, including iCloud. When you create an Apple ID, you are automatically creating an associated iCloud account as well. Your Apple ID allows you to access your iCloud account on any compatible devices.
Question

Can I create an iCloud account (Apple ID) in Windows?

Community Answer

Yes, you can use the Apple ID website to create a new Apple ID and iCloud account from any computer or device.