HOW TO CREATE A GMAIL

ACCOUNT

A step by step guide to assist to you in creating an email

address you can use to better communicate with your friends,
family, and medical providers.
 • In consideration of current guidelines
involving social distancing, there are ways
your doctor can connect with you from
the comfort of your own home. The
concept of remote visits is not new, but
the need to quickly transition practices to
these visits has presented some challenges
WHY DO I NEED AN EMAIL? in registering patients.

• For many of these services, you will need

an email account to register. Perhaps you
do not have one, or maybe even have an
old one you do not use? You may even be
interested in creating an email account
that you use solely and specifically for your
doctor’s visits. Whatever the reason, this
guide will show you a simple way to get
started creating a personal email.
 STEP ONE

Choose your carrier-there are many email carriers

to choose from.You may have heard of some like
Outlook or Yahoo.Your Verizon or Cox account will
also provide email service, but these accounts can be
difficult to retrieve if you happen to switch companies
for internet, cable, or phone service.Verizon and Cox
accounts can also be difficult to view on different
devices like your smartphone. For this tutorial, we will
be using Gmail. Gmail is considered one of the best
email services. It is safe and user friendly. Gmail is
also the service currently used by most
professionals.
 STEP
STEP TWO
TWO

Type Gmail into your browser

Type Gmail into your browser
bar. The first option that shows up
bar. The first option that shows up
should be what you need: Gmail-
should be what you need: Gmail-
Google or Create Google
GoogleClick
Account. or Create
on thatGoogle
link. This
If you see this
page, If you are
see this
Account.
link should take you to a link.
Click on that formThis
to
in the
page, right
place!!!!
you are
in the right
link should
enable you take you to
to create a form
your newto
place!!!!

enable youaccount.
to create your new
account.
 STEP THREE

Next, you are going to begin to fill in

your information to Create your Google Jane Doe

Account. This step will ask for your first and

last name. You will then be asked to create a Jane.Doe415

username. Try to keep this simple and easy to

remember. There can be no spaces in your
username. Many people choose to use a
combination of their first and last names. For
example, if my name was Jane Doe, I might use
JaneDoe, or Jane.Doe, or Jdoe. You might need
to use a number or two to make it unique:
Jane.Doe415. You will be prompted to choose
a different username if what you selected is
not available. This can get frustrating! But try
to keep it simple.
 STEP FOUR

Jane Doe

Create a password. For this step, it is important

Jane.Doe415
to keep your password strong but simple. Gmail
requires at least 8 characters, and should be a mix
of letters, numbers, and symbols.You should not
TopCat!41598 TopCat!41598
use your name as part of your password, or
anything too simple like “12345678”. Still, it should
be easy for you to remember, and something
significant like a name combined with a special
date. Ex: TopCat!41598. The final step will be for
you to confirm your password by typing it in again.
 STEP FIVE

Google will then ask for some information

from you. You do not have to give your
phone number, but it is a way they will be
able to retrieve your account quickly in case
you forget how to log in. They also ask for a
recovery email address. If you have another
email you use, you can enter that here. If
not, you can skip it. You will be required to
provide your birthday and select a
gender. They ask these questions to keep
your account secure, but this information
will not be shared without your permission.
 STEP SIX

Agree to the Terms of Service. Next,

Google will provide you with a brief
synopsis of what they share, and how
they use your information. After you have
read through the legal jargon, click I
agree.
 STEP SEVEN

Now you have a Google account! You will be

taken to a welcome page where there are many
options to choose from Google services. Explore
this area. There are tabs along the top of the page
that enable you to check in on your Personal You can access
Info, Security, ability to add Contacts, and
your email account
other useful areas.You may not need all of these
options, but this is a good time to explore. If you easier by clicking
get lost, click on the Home button. To get to on Gmail next time
your email, there is a cluster of dots in the top you are ready to
right corner. When you click on that, you will see log in!
a symbol that looks like an envelope. That is your
email account!
 EXPLORE!

Write a new email

Read new emails

You will want to get acquainted with your new

email page. I understand that this can be Recipient
overwhelming, but the more you take the time Subject Line
Testing my new email!
to familiarize yourself, the easier it becomes! To
the left of the page is the ability to create an
Hello, it is Jane, and this is my new email
email: “+ Compose”.Your Inbox, Drafts, and address.

Sent links are also located there.You can now

send and receive emails. Try sending a test
message to a family member or friend.You will When you have finished, click Send! Your
message has been sent!
need their full email address such as-
Jane.Doe415@gmail.com, and it’s always a good
idea to send a Subject.
 gmail

SOME TIPS

These are both

• You can access your email easily by typing options to search!
Gmail into the search bar. gmail

• If you have a smart phone, you can easily

install the Gmail app on your phone.
• Everyone has trouble remembering
passwords. Consider keeping a list in a
secure place in your home. Do not take
your list out of the home.
• Do not open links in emails from senders
you do not know and trust!
 IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE

• CyberSeniors.org is a useful website for frequently asked questions, and online tutorials.
It is free for older adults to sign up, and there are many resources available. Cyber-
Seniors' goal is to bridge the digital divide and connect generations through technology:
https://cyberseniors.org

• If you have suggestions or questions about this tutorial, or would like a free one on one
remote session to assist you, contact Libby at elubera@my.uri.edu