How to Create a New Apple Account on iPhone, iPad, and Mac in 2025
Creating a new Apple Account is one of those things that feels simple — until you’re actually staring at the screen wondering which option to choose. Whether you’re setting up a brand new device, switching accounts, creating one for a child, or deciding between an iCloud email and a third-party address, the process changes slightly depending on where you start.
In this guide, I walk through every supported way to create a new Apple Account using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, based directly on real-world setup scenarios. This mirrors the video step by step so you can follow along with confidence.
🎓 What You’ll Learn
How to create a new Apple Account during initial device setup
How to create a new Apple Account from Settings on iPhone or iPad
How to create an Apple Account on appleid.apple.com
The difference between using a third-party email and an iCloud email
How child Apple Accounts are created using birthdate rules
How to sign into a Mac using a newly created Apple Account
How to sign out and switch Apple Accounts on an iPad
How to use a nearby iPhone to sign into another device
How to verify which devices are linked to your Apple Account
🆕 Creating an Apple Account During New Device Setup
When setting up a brand new iPhone or iPad, Apple gives you the option to create an Apple Account before the device finishes setup. This is often the cleanest method because the account is created and signed in automatically.
During setup, you’ll reach a screen that asks you to sign in or create an Apple Account. Choosing the option to create a free Apple Account starts the process immediately.
At this stage, you can:
Use an existing third-party email address
Create a brand new iCloud email address
Associate a phone number for verification
Accept Apple’s terms and complete setup
Once finished, the device is already signed in and ready to sync.
📱 Creating an Apple Account After Setup on iPhone or iPad
If your device is already set up, you can still create a new Apple Account directly from Settings without erasing anything.
This method is accessed by:
Opening Settings
Tapping the Apple Account section at the top
Choosing the option to create a new Apple Account
The process mirrors device setup and allows you to:
Enter your name and birthdate
Choose between an iCloud email or third-party email
Verify your identity using a phone number
This method automatically signs the device into the new account once completed.
🌐 Creating an Apple Account on appleid.apple.com
Apple also allows Apple Account creation through its website at appleid.apple.com. This works on iPhone, iPad, or Mac using a browser.
There is one important limitation with this method.
When creating an account on the website:
You must use an existing third-party email address
You cannot create an iCloud email address
The account is not automatically signed into your devices
After creation, you must manually sign into Settings on each device.
This method is useful if you don’t currently have an Apple device available.
👶 How Child Apple Accounts Work
Child Apple Accounts are created automatically based on the birthdate entered during account creation.
If the birthdate entered indicates the user is under 13:
Apple requires a parent or guardian account
The parent must authenticate and approve the account
The child account becomes part of Family Sharing
This enables features like Screen Time, content restrictions, and parental approvals. The same rules apply whether creating the account on iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
💻 Signing Into a Mac With a Newly Created Apple Account
After creating an Apple Account on an iPhone or iPad, you can sign into a Mac using the same credentials.
When signing in on a Mac:
System Settings prompts for the Apple Account email and password
A verification code is sent to a trusted device
iCloud syncing begins once approved
This links contacts, photos, calendars, and other iCloud services across devices.
🔄 Switching Apple Accounts on an iPad
If an iPad is already signed into a different Apple Account, it must be signed out before using a new one.
Signing out involves:
Opening Settings
Selecting the current Apple Account
Choosing Sign Out
Deciding whether to keep local data
After signing out, the iPad can be signed into a different Apple Account.
📲 Using a Nearby iPhone to Sign Into an iPad
Apple provides a secure way to sign into a device using a nearby iPhone.
This method:
Uses proximity authentication
Avoids typing passwords manually
Transfers Apple Account credentials securely
It’s especially useful when setting up multiple devices with the same Apple Account.
🧾 How to See Devices Using Your Apple Account
Apple Accounts can be signed into multiple devices simultaneously. It’s important to know which devices are linked.
You can view connected devices from:
Settings on iPhone or iPad
System Settings on Mac
appleid.apple.com
This list stays in sync and helps confirm that everything is connected properly.
