How to create a new Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad

Learn how to sign up for an Apple ID on your new iOS device

The Apple ID is the foundational account that powers all of Apple’s digital services. It provides you with a digital identity to access Apple’s online services across multiple iOS devices, such as your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The Apple ID allows you to sync your data, such as Contacts, Calendars, Bookmarks, Reminders, etc., through iCloud, download apps like PDF Expert or games from the iOS and Mac App Stores, music and media from the iTunes Store, and even to buy products from the Apple Online Store. Your Apple ID is the single account that is the key to all these services.

When you buy a new iPhone or iPad and set it up, you will be prompted to create a new Apple ID if you don’t have one. That step is optional, though, and if you have skipped that step or want to create a fresh Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad device, follow these simple steps to get your Apple ID.

How to create a new Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad

1. First, tap the Settings app.
2. Then tap the ‘Sign in to your iPhone’ text at the top.
3. Tap the ‘Forgot password or don’t have an Apple ID?’ text in blue.
4. You’ll now see the ‘Create Apple ID’ button to tap and begin creating the Apple ID account.
5. Enter your Date of birth, followed by your First name, Last name, and tap Continue.
6. Next step is Email Address. You can enter an existing email address or get a free iCloud email address, such as example@icloud.com.
7. Next, enter a new Password and once again to Verify it.
8. Choose three Security Questions and type in the Answers to them.
9. When you see the Terms and Conditions screen, tap ‘Agree’ at the bottom right.
10. Choose if you’d like to Merge existing data on your phone or ignore it.
11. iOS prompts you to enable the ‘Find my iPhone’ feature, and we recommend tapping OK to enable it.

Your Apple ID is now ready, and you can sign in on your other devices, too. Learn how to manage your Apple ID.

How to create a new Apple ID from the App Store on an iPhone or iPad

If you haven’t used the App Store on your iPhone or iPad devices, then you can sign up for a new Apple ID when you launch the App Store app for the first time. iOS will prompt you to log in with an existing Apple ID to buy or download apps from the App Store, or you can tap the Create New Apple ID option towards the bottom of the screen. Using this method, you can also create an Apple ID without a credit card so that when you set up an Apple ID, you see a Payment Method of ‘None.’

Here’s how to make Apple ID using the App Store on iPhone or iPad:

First, ensure that you are signed out of your iCloud account.

1. Launch the App Store app.
2. Tap the avatar icon at the top right of the screen.
3. Tap Create New Apple ID.
4. Enter your existing email address and choose a strong password for your new account. Verify the password to confirm the password. These details will be the username and password of your new Apple ID, so make sure you enter them correctly.
5. Then, choose the country of your billing address. All Apple IDs are region-locked, so make sure you choose your billing address wisely.
6. Read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and enable the Agree to Terms and Conditions toggle. Tap Next in the top right of the screen.
7. Fill in your name, birthday, and choose if you’d like to subscribe to updates from Apple.
8. Now, enter your credit card and billing information. Choose None if you don’t want to set up a payment method right away.
9. Enter and confirm your phone number, then proceed further.
10. Apple will send you a confirmation email to your email address. Open the verification link in this email when you receive it.
11. Your Apple ID is now ready to be used.

Apple ID vs. iCloud account: what’s the difference?

Many users are often confused about the difference between Apple ID and iCloud accounts, especially considering both types of accounts Apple offers for iPhones and iPads. To understand how an Apple ID differs from an iCloud account, let’s take a quick look at the core functionality provided by each account.

What is an Apple ID?

In simple terms, an Apple ID is the digital identity of any Apple user. The Apple ID is what allows an iOS or Mac user to log into Apple’s services and take advantage of most of the features offered by the company. If you buy music from the iTunes Store, rent movies or TV shows on your Apple TV, buy and subscribe to apps or games on your iOS or Mac devices, or shop on the Apple Online Store, you need to have an Apple ID. Creating an Apple ID is free and easy, and we’ve already detailed the steps to create an Apple ID free on your iPhone or iPad. Just in case you are confused and are wondering, “What is my Apple ID?” — don’t worry. You can easily look up your Apple ID here using your first name, last name, and email address.

What is an iCloud account?

As the name suggests, iCloud is Apple’s cloud-based storage, syncing, and computing service. It is the service that syncs your personal data across all of your devices. Apple offers a set of products under the “iCloud” banner, such as iCloud email — a Gmail-like service that offers free @icloud.com or @me.com email accounts, iCloud Drive, iCloud Photo Library, iMessages with Messages in the Cloud, etc. To use any of these services on your iPhone, iPad, or your Mac, you need to sign up for an iCloud account.

The similarities between an Apple ID and an iCloud account are simple — an Apple ID may or may not have a separate iCloud account, but an iCloud account is automatically an Apple ID.

Apple allows you to sign up for a new Apple ID using any of your existing email addresses from services like Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc. For example, email addresses like jenny.ny@gmail.com or markismyname@outlook.com can be used to sign up for an Apple ID. However, when you create a new iCloud account, you must choose a fresh and unique @icloud.com email address.