How to Create a Hotmail Account in 2026 (PC, Android & iPhone)
Quick answer: To create a Hotmail account, go to outlook.com or signup.live.com and select Create free account. Type a username, choose @hotmail.com from the domain dropdown, and verify with the code Microsoft sends you. Then add your name, country and date of birth, and complete the human check. New Microsoft accounts are passwordless by default, so Microsoft will prompt you to add a passkey. It’s free and takes about 5 minutes.
Yes, you can still get a brand-new @hotmail.com address in 2026. Microsoft renamed Hotmail to Outlook.com more than a decade ago, but it kept the old domain alive for new signups. What has changed is the signup itself. Since May 2025, Microsoft no longer asks most new users to create a password. You verify with a one-time code and then secure the account with a passkey instead.
Most Hotmail guides online still describe the old password-first flow. This one walks through the screens you will actually see today, on a computer, an Android phone and an iPhone, plus fixes for the errors that stop people halfway.
Key facts at a glance
| What | Answer |
| Cost | Free |
| Time needed | About 5 minutes |
| Official signup page | signup.live.com (or outlook.com, then Create free account) |
| Domains you can pick | @hotmail.com or @outlook.com |
| Password required? | Not by default for new accounts since May 2025 |
| Free storage | 15 GB mailbox + 5 GB OneDrive |
| Works on | Web, Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad |
Is Hotmail Still Available? Hotmail vs Outlook.com Explained
Hotmail is still available, but it now lives inside Outlook.com. When you create a Hotmail account today, you are creating an Outlook.com mailbox that uses the @hotmail.com domain. The inbox, apps, storage and security are identical to an @outlook.com account.
A quick history explains the confusion:
- 1996: Sabeer Bhatia, an Indian-born engineer, and Jack Smith launch Hotmail as one of the first free web-based email services.
- 1997: Microsoft buys Hotmail. It later becomes MSN Hotmail, then Windows Live Hotmail.
- 2012 to 2013: Microsoft moves all Hotmail users to the new Outlook.com. Existing @hotmail.com addresses keep working.
- 2025: Microsoft makes new accounts passwordless by default and pushes passkeys for sign-in.
Every Hotmail account is also a Microsoft account. That one login opens Outlook email, OneDrive, the free web versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Teams, Skype, Xbox and the Microsoft Store.
What You Need Before You Sign Up
You need four things, and the second one matters most because Microsoft may ask for it to verify you.
- A device with a browser or the Outlook app. Any computer, Android phone, iPhone or iPad works.
- A phone number or another email address. Microsoft uses it to send a one-time verification code and to help you recover the account later. In India, use your +91 mobile number.
- Two or three username ideas. Popular names are taken, so have backups ready (tips below).
- Your date of birth and country. Microsoft uses these to apply age and regional rules.
Optional but recommended: a phone or computer that supports passkeys (most phones from the last few years and Windows 10 or 11 with Windows Hello do).
How to Create a Hotmail Account on a Computer (Step-by-Step)
The desktop signup has six steps and takes about five minutes. These steps work in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari on Windows or Mac.
Step 1: Open the official signup page
Go to signup.live.com, or go to outlook.com and select Create free account. If you are already signed in to another Microsoft account, sign out first or open a private (incognito) window. Otherwise Microsoft may try to sign you in to the old account instead of creating a new one.
Step 2: Choose your username and pick @hotmail.com
Type the username you want in the email field. Then open the domain dropdown next to it and select @hotmail.com (the default is usually @outlook.com). Select Next. If the name is taken, Microsoft will say so and suggest alternatives.
Step 3: Verify with a code (or set a password)
Most new accounts now skip the password step. Microsoft asks for a phone number or an existing email address and sends a one-time code. Enter the code and select Next.
If your screen instead asks you to create a password, use at least 8 characters with a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Microsoft is still rolling out the passwordless flow, so the screen you see can vary.
Step 4: Enter your name, country and date of birth
Type your first and last name and select Next. Then pick your country or region and enter your date of birth. Use your real date of birth, because it controls age-based restrictions and can be used to verify you during account recovery.
Step 5: Prove you’re human
Microsoft shows a human verification challenge, such as a press-and-hold button or a short puzzle. Complete it. If it keeps failing, try the audio option or switch browsers (see the troubleshooting section).
Step 6: Set up a passkey (recommended)
After the account is created, Microsoft prompts you to save a passkey. Accept it and confirm with your fingerprint, face or device PIN. Next time, you sign in with that instead of a password or code. Your new Hotmail inbox opens automatically.
Done. Your address is now live. Send yourself a test email from another account to confirm it receives mail.
How to Create a Hotmail Account on Android
On Android you can sign up through the Outlook app or through Chrome. The app is easier because it also sets up your inbox in one go.
Method 1: Microsoft Outlook app (recommended)
- Open the Google Play Store, search for Microsoft Outlook and install the app published by Microsoft Corporation.
- Open the app and tap Add account (or Get started on first launch).
- Tap Create new account.
- Type your username, select @hotmail.com from the domain options and tap Next.
- Verify with the code sent to your phone or email (or set a password if asked).
- Enter your name, country and date of birth.
- Complete the human verification.
- Accept the passkey prompt and confirm with your fingerprint or screen lock. Your inbox opens in the app.
Method 2: Chrome browser
Open Chrome, go to signup.live.com and follow the same six steps as the desktop guide above. Afterwards, sign in at outlook.com or install the Outlook app.
How to Create a Hotmail Account on iPhone or iPad
The iPhone and iPad process matches Android, using the Outlook app from the App Store or Safari.
Method 1: Microsoft Outlook app (recommended)
- Open the App Store, search for Microsoft Outlook and install it.
- Open the app and tap Add account (or Get started).
- Tap Create new account.
- Enter your username, choose @hotmail.com and tap Next.
- Verify with the one-time code (or set a password if asked).
- Add your name, country and date of birth.
- Complete the human verification.
- Save the passkey when prompted and confirm with Face ID or Touch ID. The passkey is stored in iCloud Keychain, so it also works on your other Apple devices.
Method 2: Safari
Go to signup.live.com in Safari and follow the desktop steps.
Tip: To also see Hotmail in Apple’s built-in Mail app, go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts > Add Account > Outlook.com and sign in. The exact path varies slightly between iOS versions.
@hotmail.com vs @outlook.com: Which Should You Pick?
Both domains give you exactly the same inbox, storage and features. The only real difference is how the address looks to other people.
| Feature | @hotmail.com | @outlook.com |
| Service behind it | Outlook.com | Outlook.com |
| Free storage | 15 GB mail + 5 GB OneDrive | 15 GB mail + 5 GB OneDrive |
| Username availability | Harder, the domain is 30 years old | Easier, newer domain |
| Perception | Familiar, slightly nostalgic | Modern, more professional |
| Best for | Personal use, keeping a classic address | Job applications, work and study |
You cannot switch an existing address from one domain to the other. If you want both, you can create a second account (see FAQs).
How to Choose a Hotmail Username That Isn’t Taken
The best usernames are short, easy to spell aloud and free of random numbers. Because @hotmail.com has existed since 1996, common names are long gone, so use these patterns:
- Add a middle initial: [email protected]
- Use a dot or underscore: [email protected]
- Add your profession or city: [email protected]
- Use a meaningful year, not a random one: [email protected]
- Try the @outlook.com version of your first choice, which is often still free
Avoid these:
- Long strings of digits like rohit83749201, which look like spam
- Nicknames you would not put on a CV
- Your password or birth date in full, which helps attackers guess personal details
You can only use letters, numbers, periods, hyphens and underscores, and the username must start with a letter.
What Is a Passkey, and Should You Use One?
Yes, you should accept the passkey. A passkey replaces your password with your fingerprint, face or device PIN, and it cannot be phished or reused on fake websites.
On World Passkey Day (May 1, 2025), Microsoft announced that brand-new Microsoft accounts are passwordless by default. Users choose a passkey, a code, or an authenticator app instead of a password. Microsoft also reported that passkey sign-ins succeed 98% of the time, compared with 32% for passwords.
“New users will have several passwordless options for signing into their account and they’ll never need to enroll a password.” Microsoft Security Blog, May 2025
| Sign-in method | How it works | Phishing-resistant? |
| Passkey | Fingerprint, face or PIN on your device | Yes |
| One-time code | Code sent by SMS or email | Partly |
| Microsoft Authenticator | Approve a push notification | Mostly |
| Password | Something you type and remember | No |
If you lose your phone, you can still sign in with a code sent to your recovery email or number. That is why adding both during setup matters.
Can’t Create a Hotmail Account? 8 Common Errors and Fixes
Most failed signups come from one of these eight problems. Find your error, then apply the fix.
| Error or symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
| “Someone already has this email address” | Username is taken, or was used before and closed | Add an initial, dot or meaningful year; Microsoft never reissues used addresses |
| Verification code never arrives | SMS delay, DND filters, or typo in the number | Wait 5 minutes, check the country code, check spam, then request the code by email instead |
| “Too many codes requested” | Several retries in a short time | Wait 24 hours or use a different verification method |
| Human check keeps failing | Browser extensions, VPN or ad blocker interfering | Turn off the VPN and extensions, use a private window, or try the audio option |
| Signup page signs you in to an old account | Browser remembers a previous Microsoft login | Sign out fully or use an incognito window |
| “We’ve blocked this account” right after signup | Automated abuse checks, often triggered by VPNs or many signups from one network | Verify with your phone number when prompted; avoid creating several accounts in one session |
| @hotmail.com missing from the dropdown | Regional or app variation | Try signup.live.com in a desktop browser; if still missing, choose @outlook.com |
| Age or parental consent screen | Date of birth marks you as a minor in your country | A parent or guardian must complete consent through a Microsoft family account |
If none of these fixes work, use Microsoft’s official Sign-in helper or contact Microsoft Support. Never pay a third party to “create” or “unlock” a Hotmail account.
Creating a Hotmail Account in India: What’s Different
The steps are the same in India, but three details trip people up.
- Phone verification with +91. Select India in the country code list and enter your 10-digit mobile number without the leading 0. If you have Do Not Disturb (DND) active, OTP messages can still arrive, but sometimes slowly. Wait a few minutes before requesting another code.
- Region and date format. Choose India as your country so Microsoft applies the right language, time zone and legal terms. Enter your birth date carefully, because the order of day and month can differ from what you expect.
- Data and connection. On a slow mobile connection, the human check may time out. Switch to Wi-Fi or a stronger network before starting.
Many Indian users also search for this in Hindi (“Hotmail account kaise banaye”). The process is identical, and you can switch Outlook’s display language to Hindi under Settings > General > Language and time after signing up.
What You Get With a Free Hotmail Account
A free Hotmail account includes 15 GB of mailbox storage, 5 GB of OneDrive storage and the web versions of Microsoft 365 apps, with ads in the inbox.
| Feature | Free Hotmail / Outlook.com | Microsoft 365 Personal (paid) |
| Mailbox storage | 15 GB | 100 GB |
| OneDrive storage | 5 GB | 1 TB |
| Office apps | Web and mobile versions | Full desktop apps |
| Ads in inbox | Yes | No |
| Copilot AI features | Limited | Included (usage limits apply) |
For most people, the free plan is plenty. Upgrade only if you run out of storage or need the desktop apps. Prices differ between the US and India, so check Microsoft’s pricing page for your country.
How to Secure Your New Hotmail Account (First 10 Minutes)
Spend ten minutes on these steps right after signing up, and you will avoid most lockouts and hacks.
- Go to account.microsoft.com > Security and confirm your recovery phone and email are correct
- Save a passkey on your main phone and, if possible, a second device
- Install Microsoft Authenticator as a backup sign-in method
- Generate a recovery code and store it somewhere safe offline
- Review recent sign-in activity to confirm only your devices appear
- Send one test email in and out to confirm the inbox works
Microsoft may close accounts that are never used. Sign in at least once every year to keep your Hotmail address active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get a @hotmail.com email address in 2026?
Yes. When you sign up at outlook.com or signup.live.com, open the domain dropdown next to the username field and select @hotmail.com. If it doesn’t appear in the app, try a desktop browser.
Is creating a Hotmail account free?
Yes, completely free. You get 15 GB of mailbox storage and 5 GB of OneDrive storage. A paid Microsoft 365 plan is optional and only adds storage, desktop apps and an ad-free inbox.
Do I need a password to create a Hotmail account?
Usually not. Since May 2025, new Microsoft accounts are passwordless by default. You verify with a one-time code and then sign in with a passkey. Some signup screens may still offer a password.
Can I create a Hotmail account without a phone number?
Often yes. You can verify with another email address instead. However, Microsoft may still ask for a phone number if its security checks flag the signup, for example when you use a VPN.
Is Hotmail the same as Outlook?
Yes. Hotmail became Outlook.com in 2012 and 2013. A @hotmail.com address uses the same Outlook.com inbox, apps and features as an @outlook.com address.
Can I have more than one Hotmail account?
Yes. Sign out, open a private window and repeat the signup with a new username. Each account is separate, with its own inbox and storage. Don’t create many accounts at once, or Microsoft may block them.
How old do you have to be to create a Hotmail account?
It depends on your country. If your date of birth makes you a minor under local law, Microsoft asks a parent or guardian to give consent through a family account. Check Microsoft’s current age policy for your country.
Can I change my @outlook.com address to @hotmail.com later?
No. You can’t change the domain of an existing address. You can create a new account with @hotmail.com and forward mail from the old one.
Can I reuse a deleted Hotmail address?
No. Once a Microsoft account is closed, its email address cannot be registered again by anyone, including you.
How do I sign in to my new Hotmail account?
Go to outlook.com and sign in with your full address, or open the Outlook app. If you set up a passkey, confirm with your fingerprint, face or PIN.
Final Checklist
Creating a Hotmail account takes about five minutes: pick @hotmail.com, verify with a code, add your details, and save a passkey. Before you close this page, make sure you’ve done all of this:
- Account created with @hotmail.com
- Recovery phone and email added
- Passkey saved
- Test email sent and received
- Outlook app installed on your phone
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