Need a fresh email address, but not sure whether to create a whole new inbox or just add another address to one you already use? Start with the provider you want, then use the official signup or alias path below. The steps cover the main consumer options and separate current methods from old tips that no longer work.
1. Pick the kind of email address you need
This fixes the first decision: new inbox, extra address, or work-style account.
Choose a full new account when you want a separate sign-in, password, and mailbox from Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo Mail, AOL Mail, Proton Mail, Tuta Mail, Zoho Mail, or Fastmail. Choose an alias when you want another address that sends mail to the same mailbox, such as an Outlook.com alias, iCloud Mail alias, Fastmail alias, Tuta alias, or Proton hide-my-email alias.
Choose iCloud Mail setup when you already have an Apple Account and need to create your primary @icloud.com email address. Choose a custom-domain option when you own a domain and want an address using that domain through iCloud+, Proton Mail, Zoho Mail, Fastmail, or Squarespace domain forwarding.
2. Make a Gmail address with a Google Account
- 1.Go to the Google Account sign-in page.
- 2.Select Create account.
- 3.Choose Personal use, Child, or Business.
- 4.Follow the on-screen steps.
- 5.Choose a suggested Gmail address, create your own Gmail address, or use an existing third-party email when Google offers that choice.
On Android, another current route is Settings > Accounts > Add account > Google, then use Create account when the Google sign-in flow asks for one.
3. Create an Outlook.com email address
Go to outlook.com, select Create free account, and follow the prompts to create the Microsoft account and Outlook.com address. In Outlook for Android, use Add Account or Create New Account during first setup, or go to Menu > Settings > Add Account or Create New Account.
In Outlook for iPhone or iPad, use Add Account or Create New Account during first setup, or go to Inbox > Settings > Account > Add Account or Create New Account.
4. Set up an iCloud Mail address
On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Mail or Mail, then follow the onscreen instructions.
On Mac, use Apple menu > System Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Mail or iCloud Mail, turn on the mail option, and follow the onscreen instructions.
On the web, go to iCloud.com/mail, sign in to your Apple Account, choose Create Email Address, and follow the onscreen instructions. If your inbox opens instead of setup instructions, your Apple Account already has a primary iCloud Mail address.
5. Open a Yahoo Mail, AOL Mail, Proton Mail, or Tuta Mail account
For Yahoo Mail, go to the Yahoo account creation page, enter First name, Last name, New Yahoo email, Password, and the required information, then follow the prompts to verify and finish signup.
For AOL Mail, go to the AOL account creation page, enter First name, Last name, New AOL email, Password, and the required fields, then follow the verification prompts.
For Proton Mail, go to account.proton.me/signup and select the Free plan, choose a username and password, then complete human verification if Proton asks for it. You can start from proton.me/mail as well, but the old proton.me/signup shortcut now redirects to the Proton pricing page.
For Tuta Mail, go to app.tuta.com/signup, choose the Free plan or a paid plan, create the new Tuta email address and password, then complete signup.
6. Use Zoho Mail or Fastmail for a personal address
For Zoho Mail, open the Zoho Mail signup flow, choose Personal email, and pick a unique user name. After that, provide a mobile number for verification and complete the signup process.
For Fastmail, go to fastmail.com and select Try free for 30 days. Sign up with the email address you want to use, or select an address using one of Fastmail’s domains when you do not own a domain.
Use Zoho when you want a personal signup path with mobile verification, and use Fastmail when a paid email service with a 30-day trial fits your setup.
7. Add another address without another inbox
For Outlook.com, use Add a username > Create a new Outlook.com email address and add it as a username > Add username to make an alias that uses the same inbox, contacts, settings, and password.
For iCloud Mail, use iCloud.com/mail > Settings > Account settings > Add Alias, then enter the alias address, label, and full name.
For Fastmail, use Settings > My email addresses > Add address > Create an alias, then enter the alias and choose the domain.
For Tuta, extra email addresses are a paid-plan feature, since the Free plan includes none. On a paid plan such as Revolutionary or Legend, use Settings > Email > Email addresses > Show > plus symbol to create the alias in the popup.
8. Build an email address with your own domain
For iCloud+, subscribe to iCloud+, then use iPhone, iPad, or iCloud.com to add an email domain, purchase a new domain or move one you own, and create addresses for that domain. Apple notes that Custom Email Domain is not available in all countries or regions.
For Proton Mail, a paid Proton Mail plan is required. Add and verify your custom domain, open the domain setup wizard, go to Addresses, select Add address, choose the user, email address, and display name, then select Save address.
For Zoho Mail, use the Zoho Mail business signup path, enter the domain, verify with the seven-digit mobile code, choose a plan, then add users and create custom-domain email accounts.
For Fastmail, first add the domain with Settings > Domains > Add or buy domain > Use a domain you already own, then work through the setup wizard and make the DNS changes it gives you so Fastmail handles mail for that domain.
Once the domain is set up, create the address from Settings > My email addresses > Add address > Create an alias, then enter the address and pick your custom domain from the dropdown.
For Squarespace-managed domains, use email forwarding settings to create forwarding aliases that redirect mail to an email address you choose. Domain forwarding aliases receive mail at a custom address, but they are not standalone mailboxes.
9. Ignore older email tips that no longer work
Do not treat Gmail dots as separate accounts. Google treats dotted versions of the same Gmail username as the same address, so they go to one inbox.
Do not follow old Google Domains email forwarding steps. Google Domains registrations moved to Squarespace, so migrated domains are managed in Squarespace.
Do not try to create a new Outlook.com alias using @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com. Microsoft says new aliases cannot be created with those domains, so use a new Outlook.com alias or a separate account.
Do not use old Windows Phone setup instructions as a current way to make email. Windows Phone is not a current consumer platform for creating a new email account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an email alias the same as making a new email account?
No. An alias is another address attached to the same mailbox or account. A new email account has its own sign-in and mailbox.
Can I make an email address without Gmail or Outlook?
Yes. Current options include Yahoo Mail, AOL Mail, Proton Mail, Tuta Mail, Zoho Mail, Fastmail, iCloud Mail, and custom-domain email.
Why does iCloud Mail show my inbox instead of Create Email Address?
Your Apple Account already has a primary iCloud Mail address. Apple shows the inbox instead of the Create Email Address setup flow in that case.
Can I make a work email for someone else?
Yes, when you are an admin in a managed service. In Google Workspace, admins use Admin console > Directory > Users > Add new user to create a user email account.