How do i make a pay pal account

Do you need extra help with your PayPal problem? Connect one-on-one with a PayPal expert through JustAnswer, an Android Authority partner.

Setting yourself up with a PayPal account is simple. However, there’s more to it than just entering your name and email address. You should be aware of a few steps and requirements, which we’ve outlined in this in-depth guide.

You’ll need a few things to set up an account. First, you’ll need to provide your personal information, such as your full name, address, phone number, and email. You’ll also need to connect your account to your debit card, credit card, or bank account. In some cases, PayPal may also ask you for proof of ID.

Read also: What is PayPal? How do you use it?

QUICK ANSWER

You can set up a PayPal account by going to PayPal.com and going into the Sign Up option. Pick the type of account you want and hit Next. Follow instructions to enter all your personal information. You'll be asked for your country, phone number, name, email, phone number, etc. You'll also need to verify your contact information. Once that's done, you have a PayPal account!

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

• Types of accounts
• How to set up a PayPal account
• How to verify an account

Editor’s note: Some of the instructions in this guide were put together using a custom PC running Windows 11. More specifically, we used the PayPal.com website on Chrome browser version 103.0.5060.114. Keep in mind steps may differ depending on your device and software.

Types of accounts

Before setting up an account, you must decide which kind of PayPal account you want to create. There are two types: personal and business, and they each have specific benefits and ideal uses.

A personal PayPal account is all you need if you want to send money to friends or do online shopping. This is the most accessible type of account to set up and is the correct choice for most users.

The other type of PayPal account is specifically for businesses. Choose this option if you want to sell products online and accept debit/credit card payments for a small fee. Business accounts also allow up to 200 employees to access the account and offer other unique benefits.

We’ll be focusing on creating a personal PayPal account for this guide, but the process is very similar for both types of accounts.

How to set up a PayPal account

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Let’s start with the basics. To set up an account, visit Paypal’s website and click the Sign Up button in the top-right corner of the screen. Now choose the account type you want: Personal Account or Business Account. Pick Next when done.

You need to tell PayPal which country you live in. Then you’ll be asked to input a phone number. After that, you’ll fill out the form with your name, email address, and password. Hit Continue and then fill out the second form by selecting your nationality and typing in your address, and any other required info. PayPal will create your account the second you hit Continue, but you’re far from done just yet.

Read also: Venmo vs. PayPal: Key differences, advantages, and disadvantages

To start using PayPal, you need to add your debit, credit card, or bank account. This will link your account to a bank account so you can deposit or withdraw money. This is technically optional, but your account will be severely limited without it. You can also get a Paypal debit card or prepaid card after your account is set up.

The last step in this process is to verify your email address by clicking the link in the email sent to you. Below we’ve listed the complete list of steps briefly for your reference.

How to set up a PayPal account:

1. Visit PayPal’s website and click the Sign-Up button in the top-right corner.
2. Select the account type you want — Personal Account or Business Account — and click Next.
3. Select your country and hit Get Started.
4. Input your phone number and verify your number.
5. Add your name, email address, and password, and click Next.
6. Add your address and other required info, and then click Continue.
7. Optional: Click the blue Get started button to add your debit, credit, or bank info.
8. Verify your email address by clicking the link in the email sent to you by PayPal.

How to verify an account

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

You will need to verify your PayPal account for safety reasons before you start using your funds. Users can do this by linking a bank account or credit/debit card. To do this, go to PayPal.com and click on the Pay & Get Paid tab. Under Wallet, select Bank & Cards. Select the bank account or card you want to verify.

If you’re using a credit or debit card, the next step is to check PayPal’s charge on your credit card statement — it’s a four-digit code — and use it to verify the card. You can also check the charges live, using your bank’s app. Go back to Banks & Cards, select the card you want to verify, enter the four-digit code, and click Confirm. That’s it: you can now use PayPal to send and receive money.

Also: Why is my PayPal money on hold?

The process for bank accounts is more straightforward. PayPal will ask which institution you bank with, and then you can log in using your banking credentials. The system will do the rest in the background.

You can also add a bank account manually, which is more or less the same as with cards, with the most significant exception being that PayPal will make two deposits to your bank account in random amounts between $0.01 and $0.99. Once that happens, you must enter these two amounts to verify your bank account, the same as you entered the four-digit code to confirm your credit card. And to answer your next question, no, you will not be able to keep the money deposited — sorry about that.

Once again, below we’ve listed the step-by-step instructions in brief.

How to verify a PayPal account:

1. Go to PayPal.com and log into your account.
2. Hit the Pay & Get Paid tab.
3. Under Wallet, select Banks & Cards.
4. Select the bank account or card you want to verify.
5. Check your bank account or credit card activity for PayPal’s deposit.
6. You can also use the automated system to link your bank account without looking at deposits.
7. Confirm your account using the 4-digit code (for cards) or two deposit amounts (for bank accounts).

Do you still need help with your PayPal problem? Connect one-on-one with an expert through JustAnswer, an Android Authority partner.

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