You can’t get far in the world of Apple products and services without an Apple ID. Happily, it’s incredibly easy to set one up. In this article we show how to create an Apple ID for yourself or a child, as well as how to set up strong security and how to start a Family Sharing group. For more advice on Apple ID account management, see How to change an Apple ID and How to use an Apple ID account.

You can sign up for an Apple ID by visiting Apple’s ID section of its website here and clicking Create An Apple ID.

There’s no requirement to have an Apple product to link the ID to, allowing anybody to create an account in preparation for purchasing – or even if you’re merely a curious Windows or Linux user.

A free unlinked account provides limited access to iCloud, in order to use the online versions of Pages, Numbers and Keynote, and you’ll get 1GB of free iCloud storage to boot. However, aside from accessing this storage space from the aforementioned web-based apps, you can’t access it any other way – for example, via the iCloud Windows for Windows app – unless you first link the Apple ID to a Mac or iOS device by signing in there.

If you don’t link your Apple ID to an iOS device or Mac then you’re limited to accessing online iWork tools

When creating an Apple ID you need to provide an email address for your username. Rather perversely, this can’t be for an existing email account that’s provided by Apple, and it can’t be an address previously used for an Apple ID.

Don’t be tempted to provide false details here because a confirmation email will be sent to the address, and you’ll need to click the link within it before your Apple ID is opened for business.

Further down the application form you’re required to enter a second, different email address for rescue purposes, such as resetting your password. This address will be used very rarely and this time around the address can be one already used for an Apple ID. You could provide the email address of your spouse, for example, although again there’s a requirement to confirm by clicking a link in an email sent to the address.

To create an Apple ID you’ll need to provide your date of birth, fill in some security questions, and give your mailing address. Don’t be tempted to enter false details here either because Apple will be using all the details later to confirm you are who you say you are.

In particular, ensure you enter the correct country details because Apple runs separate Music, Movie and App Stores for different territories. If you live in Birmingham but pretend to be living in Antigua then it will become tricky when you come to enter credit card details in order to make purchases. Not only will your billing address not be within that beautiful Caribbean island, but you’ll also be limited to items sold through Antigua’s local iTunes and Apps Stores.

Creating an Apple ID for a child

Children under the age of 13 are unable to create Apple IDs themselves, although a parent or guardian can create one for them as part of the Family Sharing system, detailed below. This also allows a parent or guardian to put a credit card against the account for the child to use to make purchases – with supervision, of course.

Once you’ve set up Family Sharing, on your iPhone/iPad/iPod touch, tap Settings > iCloud > Family, and then Add Family Member. then click the link marked Create An Apple ID For a Child. On a Mac, open System Preferences, click the iCloud icon, then click Manage Family. Click the plus button at the bottom left, then select Create An Apple ID For A Child Who Doesn’t Have An Account.

Note that you can’t set up a child’s Apple ID if there’s no credit or debit card associated with your own Apple ID. You will need to provide the card’s CCV number as part of the setup process. Apple says this is in place to conform with online child protection laws in that it provides verifiable proof of your home address.