How to Create an iCloud Email

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

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by Susan J. Owens
Susan J. Owens is a tech writer focused on AI, blockchain, and virtual machines. Her work appears in InformationWeek, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company.
Updated August 14, 2019

An iCloud email account is free and allows you to sign in to an Apple account with your Apple ID. In addition to giving you the ability to receive emails, your Apple ID gives you access to iTunes, Apple Podcasts, the Apple App Store, iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime. Your iCloud email address also includes payment and shipping information so that you can buy products from the Apple store, including apps, digital music, movies, books, and Apple devices.

It's possible to set up an iCloud account with an email address that doesn't end with @icloud.com, but you may want to create an iCloud email account for your Apple ID, if you already have one, so that you can receive iCloud Mail.

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

How to Create an iCloud Email Account

If you do not already have an existing Apple ID and you'd like to create a new icloud.com email account, here's how:

Create a New iCloud Email Account on Your iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the App Store and Tap the face icon.

    Screenshot showing Apple ID face icon

  2. Tap Create New Apple ID. If you don't see this option, you may be signed in to iCloud with another account. Sign out of iCloud to start from scratch.

  3. Create your email address with an icloud.com suffix. You'll be asked about the country or region, which must match your billing address for your payment method. 

  4. Tap Agree to Terms and Conditions, then tap Next.

  5. Enter your name and birthday, and tap Next.

  6. Enter your credit card and billing information, or choose None, and enter your payment details later. Tap Next.

  7. Confirm your phone number. Tap Next.

  8. Check your email for a verification email from Apple and follow the steps to verify your email address.

Create a New iCloud Email Account on Your iPhone or iPad With iTunes

If you don't have an Apple ID account you can make a new iCloud email with an iCloud.com address.

  1. From the launchpad, Open iTunes.

    Screenshot showing launchpad on MacBook

  2. From the menu bar at the top of your computer screen or at the top of the iTunes window, choose Account > Sign In > Create New Apple ID.

    Screenshot of iTunes Sign in

  3. Read and agree to the Terms and Conditions and Apple Privacy Policy.

  4. Create your email address to create your new Apple ID, using an icloud.com suffix.

    Screenshot of iTunes creating icloud.com email

  5. Answer the security questions and click Continue. 

  6. Enter your credit card and billing information, or skip and save for later. Click Continue.

  7. Check your email for a verification email from Apple and follow the steps to verify your email address.

How to Add an iCloud Email to Your Existing Apple ID Account on Your iPhone or iPad

On your Apple iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, Tap Your Name/Picture > iCloud. Slide the toggle switch beside Mail to ON. Then you will be asked to enter an email address, in the space that ends with icloud.com.

Screenshot showing an Apple ID with a gmail account

How to Add an iCloud Email to Your Apple ID Account on Your MacBook

On your Mac: Click the Apple icon on the upper right side of the screen. Open System Preferences, click iCloud, select Mail.

Screenshot showing how to create an icloud email address.

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

Use the same email address to sign in to every Apple service, so that you can access and manage all of your devices with a single account and password.