The short answer: create a free Google Account to get a Gmail address. Go to the Google sign-in page, click Create account, choose For my personal use and pick an address and password (Google). Then use the Gmail app on your phone or go to gmail.com on a computer. Tap Compose to write, tap an email to read it, and use the search box to find old messages (Google, Google).
Step 1: Create your Gmail address
- On a computer or phone, go to the Google Account sign-in page and click Create account.
- Choose For my personal use.
- Enter your name, birthday and gender when asked.
- Pick one of the Gmail addresses Google suggests, or type your own.
- Create a password, enter it again, and click Next.
- Add a phone number if asked. It helps you get back in if you forget your password (Google).
Tip: write your new address and password on paper and keep it somewhere safe at home. For help choosing a password, see how to create a safe password you won’t forget.
Step 2: Open Gmail on your phone or computer
- Phone: install the free Gmail app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) and sign in. Many Android phones already have it.
- Computer: go to gmail.com in your web browser and sign in.
Step 3: Find your way around the inbox
- Bold emails are ones you haven’t opened yet.
- Tabs (on a computer, Gmail sorts mail into tabs): Primary for emails from people you know, Promotions for deals, Social for social networks, Updates for receipts, statements and reminders (Google). If an email is in the wrong tab, drag it to the right one (Google).
- Menu (three lines) opens folders like Sent, Drafts, Spam and Trash.
Step 4: Read, reply and forward
- Tap an email to open it.
- Tap Reply to answer only the sender. Reply all sends your answer to everyone on the email, so use it with care. Forward sends the email on to someone new.
- Write your message and tap Send.
Step 5: Write a new email
- Tap Compose (bottom right in the app, top left on a computer).
- Type the person’s email address in To, add a short Subject, then write your message.
- Tap Send. Right after sending, an Undo button appears for a few seconds if you change your mind (Google).
More detail, including Cc and Bcc: how to send an email step by step. To send pictures: how to attach photos to an email (Google).
Step 6: Find an old email with search
At the top of the app, tap Search in mail. Type a name, an email address or a word you remember, such as “pharmacy,” then tap Search on the keyboard (Google). Gmail suggests matches as you type, based on your contacts and past searches (Google).
Step 7: Deal with spam and scam emails
- Report spam: select the email and click Report spam. Gmail gets better at catching similar emails (Google).
- Block a sender: open their email, click More (three dots) next to Reply, then Block. Their future emails go to Spam (Google).
- Watch for phishing: emails that ask for personal or financial information, push you to click a link or download something, or pretend to be your bank or a family member (Google). If Gmail shows a warning on an email, don’t click its links or open its attachments (Google).
More examples: how to spot fake emails and phishing.
Step 8: Protect your account
Use a strong, unique password, and consider a passkey, which lets you sign in with your fingerprint, face or screen lock instead of typing a password (Google). Never read a sign-in code to anyone who calls you.
Questions people ask about Gmail
Is Gmail free?
Yes. A Google Account is free and includes up to 15 GB of storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos (Google). You can buy more through Google One if you need it.
Is a Gmail account the same as a Google Account?
Not quite. Gmail is one of the services you get with a Google Account, along with YouTube, Drive and Google Play (Google).
Why are some emails in Promotions instead of my inbox?
Gmail sorts mail into tabs. Primary is for people you know, and Promotions is for deals and offers. Drag an email to the right tab and Gmail learns over time (Google).
An email I wanted went to Spam. What do I do?
Open Spam, check the email and click Not spam. Adding the sender to your contacts also stops their emails going to Spam (Google).
Someone says they’re from Google and wants my password. Is that real?
No. Google advises never responding to requests for private information by email, text or phone (Google). Never share a sign-in code.
Keep learning
- How to Send an Email Step by Step
- How to Use AI to Write an Email
- Email & Messaging Help for Seniors
