Twitter Sign Up: How to Create a New X (Twitter) Account in Minutes
Creating a new account on X (formerly Twitter) takes fewer than five minutes when you know the steps. Whether you want to follow breaking news, connect with friends, or build a professional presence, this guide walks you through the entire twitter sign up process on desktop and mobile, providing clear instructions and explaining the order of steps required to complete sign up.
Key Takeaways
- You can sign up for Twitter (now called X) for free in 2026 using a phone number, email address, or accounts like Google and Apple.
- The fastest way to create a new account is by going to X.com/signup or using the official X app on iOS or Android.
- Users must verify their phone or email with a one-time code before they can post, like, or follow accounts.
- Choosing a clear username and profile picture helps others find and recognize you on X.
- After sign up, users should follow topics, friends, and news sources to personalize their home timeline.
What Is Twitter (X) and Why Sign Up?
Twitter has been rebranded as X, but many people still say “Twitter” when talking about signing up or discussing the platform. The name change happened in 2023, though the core experience remains familiar to long-time users.
X functions as a real-time social network for breaking news, live events, sports updates, and everyday conversations worldwide. With over 600 million monthly active users, it remains one of the most influential platforms for public discourse and information sharing.
A free twitter account lets you follow creators, reply to posts, share your own updates, and send direct messages within current platform limits. You can read content without an account, but joining unlocks the full experience of participating in conversations.
Typical use cases include staying on top of news, networking in your industry, handling customer support interactions, and following favorite celebrities or brands. Many professionals use the platform to build thought leadership and connect with peers in 2024’s evolving Twitter landscape.
This article will walk beginners step by step through desktop and mobile sign up, plus tips for picking usernames and what to do after creating an account.
Requirements Before You Sign Up for Twitter
Before you create account, gather a few essentials to make the process smooth.
You need a working email address or mobile phone number that can receive an sms text message or verification code. X uses this to verify you own the contact method and to help recover your account if needed.
Basic eligibility requires that users be old enough under local law. In most countries, this means at least 13 years old, though requirements vary by region. X collects date of birth information to comply with regulations like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States.
One phone number can be linked to one main account at a time, but you can still create multiple accounts using different email addresses. Keep this in mind if you plan to manage separate personal and professional profiles.
Have a strong password ready before starting. Aim for at least 12 characters, including a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using passwords you have used on other sites.
If you are planning a business or brand account, decide on a public display name and username format before starting to avoid brand confusion later.
How to Sign Up for Twitter on Desktop (Web Browser)
This section provides step-by-step instructions and explains the order of actions required to sign up for Twitter.
Open a modern browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge and navigate to https://x.com/signup or https://twitter.com. Both addresses will direct you to the same signup experience.
Click the prominent “Sign up” or “Create account” button on the landing page. This opens the account creation form where you enter information about yourself.
In the form fields, you will be prompted to enter your name (this becomes your publicly visible display name), your email address or phone number, and your date of birth. The date of birth field uses dropdown menus for month, day, and year selection.
After entering your information, you will need to click Next to proceed with the account creation process.
After clicking “Next” or tap continue, X sends a verification code to your email or phone. Check your inbox or messages and enter the code in the box provided on the site. If you register using an email address, you will receive a message with steps to confirm your email.This proves you own that contact method.
Create a secure password you have not used on other sites. X will show password strength indicators to help you choose something secure. Click through the Next or Sign up button to continue.
You may encounter optional screens asking whether X can track how you see content across the web. Review these privacy preferences and select your choices based on your comfort level.
When choosing a username, remember that it must be under 15 characters and cannot include terms like “admin” or “Twitter” to prevent any confusion with official brands.When you sign up, Twitter will provide a few available suggestions for usernames, but you can choose your own.
Once the account is created, you will be prompted to upload a profile photo, add a short bio, and follow a few recommended accounts. These steps help customize your experience but can be completed later if you prefer.
How to Sign Up for Twitter on Mobile (iOS and Android)
The mobile signup process mirrors the desktop experience, with touch-friendly interface adjustments for smaller screens.
Search for “X” or “Twitter” in your app store (App Store for iOS, Google Play for Android). Verify that it is the official app by X Corp before you install it. The app is free to download.
Open the app for the first time and tap the “Create account” or “Sign up” button displayed on the welcome screen.
You will be asked for your name, phone number or email, and date of birth. Enter this information accurately, then agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy by checking the relevant box and tapping continue.
A one-time code will be sent by SMS or voice call to your phone, or by email if you chose that option. Switch back to the app and enter that code to confirm your account ownership.
Once you complete the sign-up process, you will be guided through additional steps to set up your account and customize your experience.
Choose a strong password following the same guidelines mentioned earlier. The app then guides you through in-app prompts to:
- Add a profile photo
- Choose topics of interest
- Follow suggested accounts based on your selections
Mobile users should enable login alerts and two-factor authentication within account settings for added protection once sign up is complete, and follow additional tips to keep your Twitter account secure. Find these options under Settings and privacy in the app menu.
Signing Up with Google or Apple
Users can speed up registration by using “Continue with Google” or “Continue with Apple” on both web and mobile platforms. This approach uses OAuth-based authentication to reduce friction.
For Google sign up:
Tap or click “Continue with Google” on the signup screen. A pop-up appears asking you to select your google account. Choose the account you want to use and grant permission to share basic information with X.
Google sign up often skips manual entry of name and email since this data transfers automatically. However, you may still need to confirm your date of birth and choose a new username.
For Apple sign up:
Choose “Continue with Apple” and sign in with your apple ID credentials. Apple’s system may send a 6-digit SMS code to your linked phone number for two-factor authentication.
Apple users can optionally hide their email using the private relay feature, which generates a random email address that forwards to your real inbox. This adds a layer of privacy.
Even with Google or Apple authentication, X may still send a verification code via email or request a phone number for added security and password recovery purposes.
After social sign up, customize privacy, notification settings, and security options directly in your X account settings. These preferences remain fully adjustable regardless of which signup method you chose, and later you can explore AI-driven X marketing content systems if you plan to grow a brand presence.
Tips for Choosing a Good Twitter Username
Your @username is unique and is the name your followers use when sending replies, mentions, and Direct Messages. The url to your profile becomes twitter.com/yourusername. Usernames must be less than 15 characters and cannot include terms like “admin” or “Twitter” to prevent any confusion with official brands.. Your display name, on the other hand, can be more flexible and include spaces or special characters.
Keep it short and memorable. Usernames under 10-15 characters are easier to type and remember. Use real names or brand names when possible, such as @JaneSmith or @SmithBakeryNYC.
Try simple variations when your preferred name is taken. X often shows a few available suggestions when your first choice is unavailable. If your business’s name isn’t available, you can add an underscore, or try shortening parts of your business profile. Consider adding:
- Your city or location
- Your profession or industry
- A short descriptor word
For example, @JaneSmithWriter or @SmithBakery_ work well as alternatives, and you can use a dedicated guide on how to select the best Twitter username for your account if you need more ideas.
Avoid long strings of numbers or random characters. Handles like @Jane847293847 look untrustworthy and are nearly impossible for others to remember. This can hurt your credibility, especially for business accounts.
Usernames can usually be changed later in account settings, but consistent branding across platforms helps with recognition. If you plan to promote your account widely, optimizing your profile to turn followers into leads and picking a stable handle early saves confusion down the road.
Desirable short usernames have value in secondary markets, with some @handles selling for significant amounts. Choose wisely from the start.
What to Do After Creating Your Twitter Account
A brand-new account looks empty, and initial setup helps X show more relevant content in your home timeline through its algorithmic suggestions.
Complete your profile:
Element | Recommendation |
|---|---|
Profile photo | Clear headshot or logo for businesses |
Bio | Concise description under 160 characters |
Location | City or region (optional) |
Website | Link to your site or portfolio |
Header image | Relevant banner that represents you |
Build your following list. Follow a mix of accounts including friends, local news outlets, industry experts, sports teams, and entertainment profiles relevant to your interests. This diversity improves what appears in your feed, and tools that help you grow your Twitter audience and boost engagement organically can become useful once you’re active. |
Consider following official accounts like @Support for product updates and help. Select a few topic categories (Technology, Sports, Finance, etc.) when prompted to further personalize your content.
Start participating. You can begin posting short text updates, sharing links, adding images or videos, and sending replies to join conversations. Engaging with content helps the algorithm learn your preferences, and adapting away from outdated Twitter marketing tactics toward modern engagement strategies will matter if you’re promoting something.
Visit Settings early to review:
- Privacy settings (public vs protected posts)
- Safety filters for content and mentions
- Notification preferences
- Content language options
Taking time to check these settings ensures your experience matches your expectations from the start.
Managing Multiple or Private Twitter Accounts
Some people create more than one account, such as one personal and one professional profile. This is allowed as long as you follow X’s Rules regarding acceptable use, and tools like TweetDeck for managing multiple Twitter accounts efficiently can simplify handling them.
Creating additional accounts:
You can create a second account using a different email address. The mobile app allows you to add multiple accounts and switch between them without having to log out each time. Look for the profile icon and long-press or tap the dropdown to add another account.
Understanding private accounts:
A private (protected) account means only approved followers can see your posts. Your content does not appear in public search results or on the main timeline for non-followers.
To protect your tweets, navigate to Settings, then Privacy and safety. Toggle the option to protect your posts. Note that this affects visibility of all your content, not just future posts. If you later decide to automate some engagement, make sure you understand the basics of getting started with TweetFull and connect tools securely.
Important information about multiple accounts:
- Each account needs a unique email
- Phone numbers can typically only be linked to one account
- Abusing multiple accounts for spam, harassment, or manipulation violates X’s Rules
- Review platform policies before operating anonymous accounts, especially if you plan to use APIs or automation and need to create a Twitter developer account and app
FAQ
Can I sign up for Twitter without giving my phone number?
Many users can still create an account with just an email address. However, X may request a phone number later for security purposes or to lift certain feature limits. In some regions or when unusual activity is detected, a phone number verification becomes mandatory to confirm a real person is behind the account.
How many Twitter accounts can I have?
There is no fixed public limit on the number of accounts per person. Each account needs a unique email address and usually a unique phone number for verification. Be aware that abusing multiple accounts for spam, harassment, or manipulation can lead to suspension under X’s Rules.
Why didn’t I receive my verification code?
If using email verification, check your spam or junk folders and confirm the email address you entered is correct. For phone verification, wait a few minutes, ensure your mobile signal is strong, and verify that SMS messages are not being blocked by your carrier. You can also receive the code via voice call in some cases.
You can tap “Resend code” on the sign-up screen if the first code does not arrive. Switching from phone to email (or vice versa) sometimes resolves persistent delivery issues.
Is Twitter free to sign up and use?
Creating a basic X account and using core features like posting, following accounts, reading content, and sending replies is completely free. X does offer optional paid subscriptions and premium features, but these are not required for the standard sign-up process described in this guide.
Can I change my username after I sign up?
Yes, you can change your @username later by going to your account settings and editing the username field. The new name must be available and not already in use by another account. Keep in mind that profile links using your old username will no longer work after the change, so choosing a stable name early is best if you plan to share your profile widely.
