How to Make a Pinterest Account on a Computer or Phone

It takes a couple of minutes. The only choices that need a moment's thought are which email to use, whether you want a personal or business account, and how you'll log in later, because Facebook login is no longer an option.

Here are the steps for each device, from Pinterest's help centre, plus how to add a second account without losing the first.

Creating an account on a computer

1. Go to Pinterest in your browser.
2. Enter your email, create a password and enter your age.
3. Click Continue, then Next.
4. Select how you identify.
5. Choose your language and country or region from the dropdown menus.
6. Select five or more topics you're interested in.
7. Click Done.

Creating an account in the app

1. Download the Pinterest app and open it.
2. Enter your email address and tap Continue.
3. Create a password and tap Next.
4. Enter your full name and tap Next.
5. Enter your age and tap Next.
6. Select your country or region and tap Next.
7. Choose five or more topics and tap Next.
8. Follow creators based on your interests if you like, or skip it.

Creating an account means you accept Pinterest's Community guidelines and Privacy Policy, so it's worth a skim if you haven't used Pinterest before.

Why it asks for five topics

Pinterest calls itself a visual discovery engine. Your topics are its first clue about what to show you, so pick ones you'd search for anyway. If you're using Pinterest for business ideas, choose topics close to your work. If it's for home or recipes, choose those. You'll shape the feed further every time you save Pins to boards.

Personal or business account?

	Personal account	Business account
Best for	Ideas, planning, inspiration	Brands, creators, marketers
Pinterest Analytics	Not included	Included
Pinterest Trends tool	Not included	Included
Schedule Pins ahead	Not mentioned	Up to 30 days in advance
Can you switch later?	Yes, convert to business	Yes, switch back to personal

If you're not sure, start personal. Pinterest lets you convert to a business account later, and you keep all your Pins and followers. If you know it's for your business, set it up as a business account from day one; I've covered that in a separate guide below.

Ways to log in after you sign up

• Email and password, on any device.
• Continue with Google, on the web and in the apps.
• Continue with Apple, on iOS only.
• A QR code on the web: scan it with your phone, which needs to be logged in and on the same WiFi.

Pinterest says Facebook login is no longer available. If you used to log in with Facebook, use one of the options above instead. Connecting a Google or Apple account also helps you find friends and recover your account if you forget your email or password.

Adding a second personal account

Want separate accounts for personal and work ideas? You can create an additional personal account with a different email address and then switch between them.

1. Log in to your existing personal account.
2. On a computer, click the chevron-down icon at the top right, then Add Pinterest account.
3. In the app, tap your profile photo at the bottom right, then your profile photo at the top left, then Add account.
4. Under Create a new personal account, choose Create and follow the prompts.

Once it's set up, you can connect the accounts and switch between them without logging out each time.

Which email should you use?

Use one you check and expect to keep. Your email is how you log in, how Pinterest helps you recover the account, and how you'll hear about activity on your Pins. If you think you might want a business account one day, keep your work email unused for that, because Pinterest won't let a new business account use an email that's already on Pinterest.

If sign-up doesn't work

• Double-check the email address for typos before you tap Continue.
• If Pinterest says the email is already in use, you've probably got an old account. Try logging in instead, or use a different email for a new one.
• Try the other route: the website if the app isn't playing ball, or the app if the website isn't.
• Make sure your age is entered, as it's a required step on both the web and the app.

Your first ten minutes

• Add a profile photo and a short bio so people know who you are.
• Create two or three boards for the things you'll save most.
• Save a handful of Pins to each board so your feed learns faster.
• If you're a teen, check your message settings, as Pinterest limits teen messaging by design.

If you're joining for a younger family member, check how old you have to be to use Pinterest first. And once you're set up, creating your first Pin is the next step if you've got your own photos to share.

My advice

Use an email you'll still have in five years, connect Google or Apple so you're never locked out, and pick your five topics carefully because they set the tone of your feed. If there's any chance you'll use Pinterest for your business, think about a business account now rather than converting later.

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a Pinterest account?

Go to Pinterest or open the app, enter your email, create a password and add your age, then choose your language, country and five or more topics.

Can I sign up to Pinterest with Facebook?

No. Pinterest says Facebook login is no longer available. Use email and password, Google, or Apple on iOS.

Can you have two Pinterest accounts?

Yes. You can create an additional personal account using a different email address and connect the accounts to switch between them.

Why does Pinterest ask me to pick topics?

During sign-up you select five or more topics so Pinterest can show you ideas you're interested in.

Can I change a personal Pinterest account to a business account?

Yes. You can convert it later and keep your existing Pins and followers, and you can switch back at any time.