One of the best ways to personalize your mobile phone is to have a Google account properly set up on it.
With this, you can be connected instantly to everything important to you. Your Google account is your identity in the Google ecosystem and the email web at large.
You can create a Google account in a few simple steps, and it can be done right on your phone. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can sign up for a new Google account on your Android mobile device.
In This Article
Setting Up a New Google Account
There are advantages to setting up a Google account for yourself. When you create one, it will sync data automatically, including your browser settings, credentials autofill settings, and lots more.
Your Google account also gives you access to the Google Play Store. With that said, let’s take a look at the basic requirements for creating an account.
What you need to Create a Google Account
To create a Google account, you must be 13 years old or above, and you’ll have to provide some specific information to verify your identity. This step is necessary to ensure and improve your account’s security.
Other Google services require users to be at least 18 years of age, including Google Pay and YouTube.
If you want to create a Google account for your kids who are under the age of 13, you can use the Google Family Link app.
To set up two-factor authentication for your Google account, you’ll also need to provide your phone number for verification via voice calls or text.
How to Create a Google Account
Setting up a Google account is easy. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: On your Android device, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage Accounts.
Step 2: Scroll down and click on Add account. Select Google from the list. If you have a pattern/biometric recognition enabled, you have to unlock your phone first.
Step 3: On the sign-in screen, click on Create account, then tap For Myself from the dropdown.
Step 4: You’ll need to enter your personal information such as name, date of birth, and gender. Click on Next.
Step 5: You’ll be asked to choose a Gmail address based on your name. You can choose from the suggestions or create a unique address. Click on Next.
Step 6: To protect your account, you have to set up a strong password (hard to guess and easy for you to remember) and add your phone number to your Google account. This will be useful for setting up two-factor authentication for your Google account. Tap Yes, I’m in.
Step 7: You can choose if you want to add your phone number for security purposes only, or to use it across Google services. To do this, tap More options and select the required option.
Step 8: Read the terms and conditions of service on the next page (If you want to) and click on I agree to complete the set-up process.
What you should do after creating a Google Account
Now that you’ve created your Google account, what’s next? There’s a lot more to do to improve your account security, functionality, and privacy. Here are some of the things to take care of.
Enable 2-Step Verification
To keep your account safe, you should turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). The whole process can be done on your Android device.
Whenever you log into your Gmail account from a new device, a login security alert will be sent to you from Google if it detects possible malicious activity on your account.
This will help keep your account safe from unauthorized access, and malware attacks, including other suspicious activities.
With 2FA, you’ll have to enter an extra code every time you sign in to your account from a new computer or device, or after a long period of inactivity. To set up 2FA, follow the steps outlined below:
Step 1: On your device, navigate to Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage Accounts.
Step 2: Select the Google account you just created from the list and click on Google account.
Step 3: In the Home tab, you’ll be prompted to turn on 2-Step Verification. Click on Count Me in.
Step 4: Next, open your Google account in your mobile browser. Click on Get Started.
Step 5: To ensure you receive the two-step verification codes, you must add a phone number to your Google account. Click on Continue and add a phone number. Select if you want to receive 2FA codes via text or call.
Otherwise, you can click on Use Another Backup option to receive a set of one-off codes to access your account.
Step 6: Enter the One-Time Password Google sent you and click on Next to activate and turn on 2FA.
You can also access your account with Google prompts on linked devices. You can even use other available options like an authenticator service and a security key.
Review Security Settings and App Permissions
After creating your Google Account, you have to periodically check the Security tab for suspicious activities and monitor app access. Here are a few quick tips to guide you.
- To get an overview of your device’s security settings simply go to the security recommendations section and click on Protect your account. Then add a recovery email here.
- To review your Google account security activity, go to Security > Recent security activity > Review security activity.
- To manage linked devices, go to Security > Your devices > Manage devices.
- You can also manage apps that are linked to your Google account. To do this, go to Google account homepage > Security > Third-party apps with account access. This will bring up a list of apps that have access to your account.
- When you click on one of these apps and scroll down, you’ll see the permissions that are currently available for that app. To revoke those permissions, just click on the app and select Revoke Access.
Sync Your Data to Your Google Account
Synchronizing your data to your Google account is crucial, and shouldn’t be ignored after creating your account. This way, if you no longer have access to your device or important data, you’ll always be able to retrieve and access it from another device.
To do this, go to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Manage Accounts. Click on your desired Google account, and choose the data you wish to sync. It could be contacts, calendars, and emails.
If you haven’t already, you’ll have to set up a recovery email and/or phone number.
This step is important in case you forget your password, you can’t access your account, or you lock yourself out of your account unknowingly. Go to your Google’s account dashboard under Personal info > Contact info, then enter this information.
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The bottom line
Having a Google account properly set up makes it simple to switch devices. All you have to do is sign in with your existing account and in a few clicks everything is done—your app settings, preferences, and other data will be right there on your phone.
Of course, most people will have their hands full setting up a new Android device. We hope the tips here will make your experience with Android easier and more enjoyable.