How to Create an iCloud Email

Set up your email address so you can get to everything Apple has to offer

by
Susan Owens
Susan J. Owens
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Former Lifewire writer Susan J. Owens is a tech writer focused on AI, blockchain, and virtual machines. Her work appears in InformationWeek, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company.
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Susan J. Owens
Updated on May 08, 2021
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Jessica Kormos
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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Article reviewed on Apr 05, 2020
Jessica Kormos

What to Know

  • iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch: Tap Settings > your name > iCloud, toggle Mail to the On position, and follow the prompts.
  • Mac 10.15 and later: Select Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > Mail and follow the prompts.
  • Mac 10.14 and earlier: Select Apple menu > System Preferences > Mail, and then follow the prompts.

This article describes how to set up a free iCloud email account on any Apple device. This allows you to sign in to an Apple account with your Apple ID and gives you access to iTunes, Apple Podcasts, the Apple App Store, iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime.

If you have an Apple ID that ends with @mac.com or @me.com, you don't need to set up a separate @icloud.com address. For example, if you have someone@mac.com, you also have someone@icloud.com.

If you aren't sure if you have an Apple ID, don't create a new one. To check, visit the Apple ID account page and select Forgot Apple ID or password.

On Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

Here's how to create a new iCloud email account on your mobile Apple device:

  1. Go to Settings.

  2. Tap your name.

  3.  Select iCloud.

  4. Toggle Mail to the On position, and follow the prompts.

    iPhone Settings > iCloud > Mail toggle

    On Your Mac Computer

    Here's how to create a new iCloud email account on your Mac computer:

  5. Go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences.

    Mac with the Apple menu's System Preferences highlighted

  6. On macOS 10.15 or later, click Apple ID > iCloud > Mail, and then follow the instructions.

    Apple ID > iCloud > Mail

  7. In macOS 10.14 or earlier, click iCloud > Mail, and then follow the prompts.

    If no instructions appear after you toggle iCloud Mail to the On position on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac, you already have an iCloud Mail email address.

    After you set up your @icloud.com email address, you can use it to sign in to iCloud. You can still use your original email address to access your Apple ID.

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