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

By Christine Chan
Contributions from
Stephanie A Barnes
 last updated

Here's everything you need to know about creating an Apple ID

Apple ID screenshot
(Image credit: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore)
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If you have any Apple device, like the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and beyond, you need an Apple ID. 

However, if you've never owned an Apple product before, then you might not have an Apple ID already. But creating one is a straightforward process.

Once you have an Apple ID, you'll be able to save data in the cloud, sync information across devices, download and purchase apps, games, movies, music, and TV shows, and do much more.

We'll show you how to set-up an Apple ID on your Apple device, whether you have the latest iPhone 14 or the iPad Air. 

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

  1. Launch the Settings app.
  2. Tap Sign in to your iPhone at the top of the screen.

Create a new Apple ID on iPhone by showing: Launch Settings, tap Sign In (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Don't have an Apple ID or forgot it?
  2. Tap Create Apple ID when the window pops up.

Create a new Apple ID on iPhone by showing: Tap Don't have an Apple ID or forgot it?, then tap Create Apple ID (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Enter your first and last name, then select your birthday. Your birthday is used to determine which services to set up on the device.
  2. Tap Next.

Create a new Apple ID on iPhone by showing: Enter your first and last name, then select your birthday, then tap Next (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Type the email address you want to use or get a new iCloud email address by tapping Don't have an email address?
  2. Tap the toggle for whether you want to get Apple News & Announcements or not.
  3. Tap Next.

Create a new Apple ID on iPhone by showing: Type in the email you want to use or create a new iCloud email, choose if you want Apple News & Announcement emails, then tap Next (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Create a password and then verify it by typing it again.
  2. Tap Next.
  3. Input your phone number and select whether you want to receive a text message or phone call for identity verification.
  4. Tap Next.
  5. Enter the verification code that was sent to you.
  6. Tap Next.

Create a new Apple ID on iPhone by showing: Create a password, verify the password, input a phone number to get a verification code, input the verification code (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Agree to the Terms and Conditions by tapping Agree.
  2. Tap Agree again to confirm.

Create a new Apple ID on iPhone by showing: Agree to the terms and conditions, tap Agree again to confirm (Image credit: iMore)
  1. If prompted, tap Merge or Don't Merge to sync iCloud data from Safari, reminders, contacts and calendars.
  2. If prompted, tap OK to confirm Find My iPhone is turned on.

How to sign in to iCloud with an existing Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad

  1. Launch the Settings app.
  2. Tap Sign in to your iPhone at the top of the screen.
  3. Enter the email address and password associated with your Apple ID.
  4. Tap Next.

Sign in to iCloud with an existing Apple ID on iPhone by showing: Launch Settings, tap Sign In, enter your email and password for Apple ID, tap Next (Image credit: iMore)
  1. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, input the verification code.
  2. Enter your iPhone passcode if you have one set up.

Sign in to iCloud with an existing Apple ID on iPhone by showing: Input your verification code if 2FA is enabled, then input your device passcode (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select whether you want to Merge or Don't Merge your iCloud data with what is locally on the device.
  2. For further customization of your iCloud apps and services, tap iCloud and choose what you want on or not.

Sign in to iCloud with an existing Apple ID on iPhone by showing: Select whether you want to Merge or Don't Merge data with iCloud, then tap iCloud and customize what iCloud services you want to use (Image credit: iMore)

How to sign out of iCloud on your iPhone or iPad

  1. Launch the Settings app.
  2. Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
  3. Scroll to the bottom and tap Sign Out.

Sign out of iCloud on your iPhone by showing: Launch Settings, tap your Apple ID at the top, scroll down and tap Sign Out (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Enter the password associated with your Apple ID.
  2. Tap Turn Off when asked if you want to disable Find My iPhone.
  3. Select which data you want to keep a copy of on your iPhone and toggle the switch on.
  4. Tap Sign Out in the upper right corner.
  5. Tap Sign Out when prompted to confirm you want to sign out of iCloud on your iPhone or iPad.

Sign out of iCloud on your iPhone by showing: Select the data that you want to keep a local copy of on your device, then tap Sign Out, then tap Sign Out again to confirm (Image credit: iMore)

Get the most out of your devices with an Apple ID

An Apple ID is essential if you want to get the most out of Apple's devices and ecosystem. Even the best iPhone out there—and the newest iPhone 14—won't be as efficient or useful without an ID.

Additionally, if you have multiple Apple devices, you'll be able to enjoy Handoff, which is one of my favorite features. With Handoff, you'll be able to start something on one device, like your iPad, and then quickly pick things up from your iPhone or Mac. However, it does require you to be signed in with the same Apple ID on all your devices. And this alone is a great reason to go create that new Apple ID right now.

Christine Chan
Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed.

When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.

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