How to set up a new Google account

Google Play, Chromebooks, Gmail, all these wonderful services start with — and require — a Google Account. Whether you’re setting up a professional account to help field headhunters and job offers or finally offloading one of your kiddies to their own account when they outgrow the Family Link profiles, setting up a Google account is simple and quick. Here’s how to do it on whichever device you have handy.

Products used in this guide

Best of Google for less: Pixel 3a ($400 at Amazon)

How to set up a Google Account on your Android phone

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down to Accounts.
Tap Add account.
Tap Google.
Tap Create account.
Type in the name associated with the account. While you do not have to use your real name, if this is going to be your main account, using your real name is recommended.
Tap Next.
Enter the birthdate associated with the account. Google requires all account users to be at least 13 years old and some countries have even higher age requirement, and in order to have an account that can use Google Pay or a credit card to pay for anything, the account holder must be 18 years old.
Select a gender. If you do not wish to be identified by your gender, you can select decline to state.
Tap Next.
Type in your username. This username will become your Gmail address as well as how you log into your account. If your desired username is taken, you’ll be told to pick another and given suggestions.
Tap Next.
Type in a new password for your account. The password has to be at least eight characters, but thankfully is not required to have a number or special character if you want to stick to plain old letters.
Re-type your new password in the Confirm password box. You’ll be told how strong or weak the password you’ve selected is.
You’ll be asked if you want to add a phone number. This phone number can be used to verify your identity, help log into your account, and help people find you if they have your phone number. Tap Yes, I’m in to add your number or Skip to forgo it.
Google will present their terms of use. After scrolling through and reading the sections that interest you, tap I agree.