Create an Apple ID on Mac (2024)

macOS Sonoma 14

macOS Ventura 13

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Table of Contents

macOS User Guide

  • Welcome
    • What’s in the menu bar?
    • Work on the desktop
    • Search with Spotlight
    • Quickly change settings
    • Use Siri
    • Get notifications
    • Open apps from the Dock
    • Organize your files in the Finder
    • Connect to the internet
    • Browse the web
    • Preview a file
    • Take a screenshot
    • Change your display’s brightness
    • Adjust the volume
    • Use trackpad and mouse gestures
    • Use Touch ID
    • Print documents
    • Keyboard shortcuts
    • Apps on your Mac
    • Open apps
    • Work with app windows
    • Use apps in full screen
    • Use apps in Split View
    • Use Stage Manager
    • Get apps from the App Store
    • Install and reinstall apps from the App Store
    • Install and uninstall other apps
    • Create and work with documents
    • Open documents
    • Mark up files
    • Combine files into a PDF
    • Organize files on your desktop
    • Organize files with folders
    • Tag files and folders
    • Back up files
    • Restore files
    • Change System Settings
    • Choose your desktop wallpaper
    • Add and customize widgets
    • Use a screen saver
    • Add a user or group
    • Add your email and other accounts
    • Automate tasks with Shortcuts
    • Create Memoji
    • Change your login picture
    • Change the system language
    • Make text and other items on the screen bigger
    • Set up a Focus to stay on task
    • Set up Screen Time for yourself
    • Use Dictation
    • Send emails
    • Send text messages
    • Make a FaceTime video call
    • Edit photos and videos
    • Use Live Text to interact with text in a photo
    • Start a Quick Note
    • Get directions
    • Work across devices using Continuity
    • Use iPhone as a webcam
    • Use iPhone with Desk View
    • Stream audio and video with AirPlay
    • Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
    • Hand off between devices
    • Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
    • Make and receive phone calls on your Mac
    • Sync music, books, and more between devices
    • Manage Apple ID settings
    • Set your Apple ID picture
    • What is iCloud?
    • What is iCloud+?
    • Store files in iCloud Drive
    • Share and collaborate on files and folders
    • Manage iCloud storage
    • Use iCloud Photos
    • What is Family Sharing?
    • Set up Family Sharing
    • Set up Screen Time for a child
    • Share purchases with your family
    • Watch and listen together with SharePlay
    • Share a Photo Library
    • Collaborate on projects
    • Find content shared with you
    • Find your family and friends
    • Play games with your friends
    • Play music
    • Listen to podcasts
    • Watch TV shows and movies
    • Read and listen to books
    • Read the news
    • Track stocks and the market
    • Apple Music
    • Apple TV+
    • Apple Arcade
    • Apple News+
    • Podcast shows and channels
    • Manage subscriptions in the App Store
    • View Apple family subscriptions
    • Guard your privacy
    • Use Mail Privacy Protection
    • Control access to your camera
    • Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites
    • Set up your Mac to be secure
    • Keep your data safe
    • Create a passkey
    • Understand passwords
    • Keep your Apple ID secure
    • Find a missing device
    • Get started with accessibility features
    • Vision
    • Hearing
    • Mobility
    • Speech
    • General
    • Connect an external display
    • Use the built-in camera
    • Connect a Bluetooth device
    • Use AirPods with your Mac
    • Optimize your Mac battery life
    • Optimize storage space
    • Burn CDs and DVDs
    • Control accessories in your home
    • Use Windows on your Mac
  • Resources for your Mac
  • Resources for your Apple devices
  • Copyright
Create an Apple ID on Mac (1)

An Apple ID gives you access to all Apple services, including the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and more. It consists of an email address (for example, daniel_rico1@icloud.com) and a password. Apple recommends you use the same Apple ID for all Apple services. For more information about Apple ID, see the Apple ID Support website.

You can create an Apple ID on a Mac, an iOS or iPadOS device, or at the AppleID account page.

Important: If you’ve forgotten or need to reset your Apple ID or password, see the Apple Support articles If you forgot your Apple ID or If you forgot your Apple ID password.

You can create an Apple ID on your Mac using your current email address, or have an iCloud email address generated for you.

In some countries and regions, you can use a phone number instead of an email address as your Apple ID. See the Apple Support article Use your mobile phone number as your Apple ID.

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu Create an Apple ID on Mac (2)> System Settings, then click “Sign in with your Apple ID” at the top of the sidebar.

    Open Apple ID settings for me

  2. Click Don’t Have an Account? then follow the onscreen instructions.

    Create an Apple ID on Mac (3)

    After you create an Apple ID and sign in, you can manage your Apple ID settings on your Mac. See Manage your Apple ID settings.

To keep your purchases and access to Apple services secure, don’t share your Apple ID and password with others. To share your purchases with family members, you can set up a Family Sharing group with up to five other family members. See What is Family Sharing?

For information about changing Apple ID account settings using your iPhone or iPad, see Sign in to your iPhone with Apple ID or Sign in to your iPad with Apple ID.

See alsoApple Support article: Sign in with your Apple IDApple Support article: Manage and use your Apple ID

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Create an Apple ID on Mac (2024)

FAQs

Why can't I create an Apple ID on my Mac? ›

If you see a Could Not Create Apple ID or Could Not Set Up iCloud message. If you see one of these messages, it means that you have exceeded the number of new Apple IDs you can set up with iCloud on a single device in one year.

Why is it difficult to create an Apple ID? ›

One the biggest reasons folks can't create an AppleID is because the one they are trying to create is already in use by another. You will want to login to AppleID.apple.com with your ID and check, then remove it if it is. Before you change an ID that is being used in iCloud however you will want to sign out first.

How do I set up my Apple ID on my Mac? ›

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click “Sign in with your Apple ID” at the top of the sidebar. Click Don't Have an Account? then follow the onscreen instructions. After you create an Apple ID and sign in, you can manage your Apple ID settings on your Mac.

Can you have a Mac without an Apple ID? ›

It sounds like you're trying to set up your Mac for your sister and we can help. You can absolutely use your Mac without an Apple ID signed in. Some services like the ones you've described will not work, and you won't be able to install apps from the App Store, but this might be what you're interested in having set up.

Why is Apple not letting me create an account? ›

Update System Software. When you are unable to create an Apple ID on your iPhone, make sure that your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS. Sometimes, the system software would result in the "Could Not Create Apple ID" error.

How do I create a new Apple account on my Mac? ›

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Users & Groups in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Click the Add User button below the list of users on the right (you may be asked to enter your password.) Click the New User pop-up menu, then choose a type of user.

Why am I not allowed to create Apple ID? ›

Check Internet Connection and Reset Network. If Apple ID cannot be created at this time due to a server error, you should be aware that the Internet connection on your device is too weak to connect to Apple servers. To fix it, it is necessary to reconnect to a stronger network or reset the network settings.

Why can't I create an Apple ID with my email address? ›

An email address that is already associated with an Apple ID cannot be used as an Apple ID. "Associated with" in this context means that the email address is not: already in use as an Apple ID. used as an alias for an Apple ID.

Why my Apple ID is not working on MacBook? ›

Your Apple ID can only be used on devices running iOS 16.2 or later, or macOS 13.1 or later.

How do I fix Apple ID verification failed on my MacBook? ›

How to solve Apple ID Verification Error in Mac
  1. Sign out of Apple ID.
  2. Check Apple Servers.
  3. Check your Wi-Fi Connection.
  4. Turn VPN OFF.
  5. Change the Apple ID password.
  6. Set date and time to automatic.
  7. Changing the Time Format.
  8. Check for Updates and Restart.

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