What is a Google Account?
A Google account is like a master key that unlocks many useful services on the internet. With one Google account, you get access to:
- Gmail - Free email that you can check from any device
- YouTube - Watch videos and save your favorites
- Google Maps - Get directions and save places you want to visit
- Google Photos - Store your photos safely online
- Google Drive - Save documents and files that you can access anywhere
Best of all, it's completely free.
What you'll need:
A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access. That's it!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1 Open your web browser
Look for one of these icons on your computer and click it:
- Chrome - A colorful circle icon (red, yellow, green, blue)
- Safari - A blue compass icon (if you're on a Mac)
- Edge - A blue letter "e" with a wave
Any of these will work perfectly fine.
2 Go to the Google sign-up page
At the top of your browser, you'll see a long white bar. This is called the "address bar." Click on it, then:
- Type exactly: accounts.google.com
- Press the Enter key on your keyboard (the big key on the right side)
This will take you to Google's account page.
3 Click "Create account"
On the Google page, look for a button or link that says "Create account" and click it.
If asked what kind of account, choose "For personal use."
4 Enter your name
You'll see two boxes:
- First name - Type your first name (example: John)
- Last name - Type your last name (example: Smith)
Click "Next" when done.
5 Enter your birthday and gender
Fill in:
- Birthday - Select your month, day, and year from the dropdown menus
- Gender - Select your gender (you can also choose "Rather not say")
Click "Next" to continue.
6 Choose your email address
This is the fun part! You get to pick your email address. It will end in "@gmail.com".
For example, if you type "johnsmith" your email will be "johnsmith@gmail.com"
Tips for choosing an email:
Use your name (like johnsmith or john.smith). Avoid numbers that look like letters (like j0hn). Keep it simple so you can easily tell people your email address over the phone.
If the email you want is taken (someone else already has it), Google will suggest alternatives. Pick one you like or try a different combination.
7 Create a password
This is very important. Your password keeps your account safe from others.
Your password must have:
- At least 8 characters (letters or numbers)
- A mix of letters and numbers is best
Important:
Write your password down on paper and keep it somewhere safe, like in a drawer. You'll need to enter the same password twice - once in each box. This makes sure you typed it correctly.
8 Add a phone number (optional but recommended)
Google will ask for your phone number. This is helpful because:
- If you forget your password, Google can text you a code to get back in
- It adds extra security to your account
Enter your phone number with area code, like: 555-123-4567
You can skip this step, but we recommend adding it for safety.
9 Review and accept the terms
Google will show you their "Terms of Service" and "Privacy Policy." These are the rules for using Google.
Scroll down and click "I agree" to continue.
Congratulations!
You now have a Google account! Your email address is what you chose in Step 6, followed by @gmail.com. You can now use Gmail, YouTube, and all other Google services.
How to Sign In to Your New Account
Whenever you want to check your email or use Google services:
- Go to gmail.com in your browser
- Type your email address and click "Next"
- Type your password and click "Next"
- You're in!
What to Do If You Forget Your Password
Don't worry - it happens to everyone. Here's what to do:
- Go to gmail.com
- Type your email address
- Click "Forgot password?"
- Google will send a code to your phone (if you added one) or ask security questions
- Follow the steps to create a new password
Need personal help?
If you'd like someone to guide you through this process step-by-step, we're here to help. We'll set everything up together on a video call.
Get Personal Help