Google Mail (Gmail):

1. Go to www.gmail.com.
2. Click Create account.
3. The sign-up form will appear. Follow the directions by entering the required information.
4. Next, enter your phone number to verify your account. Google uses a two-step verification process for your security.
5. You will receive a text message from Google with a verification code. Enter the code to complete the account verification.
6. Next, you will see a form to enter some of your personal information, like your name and birthday.
7. Review Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then click I agree.
8. Your account will be created.

Just like with any online service, it's important to choose a strong password—in other words, one that is difficult for someone else to guess. For more information, review our lesson on creating strong passwords.

Signing in to your account
When you first create your account, you will be automatically signed in. Most of the time, however, you'll need to sign in to your account and sign out when you're done with it. Signing out is especially important if you're using a shared computer (for example, at a library or office) because it prevents others from viewing your emails.
To sign in:

1. Go to www.gmail.com.
2. Type your user name (your email address) and password, then click Next.