Creating an Amazon or eBay account with a screen reader

Before you start

• An email address or mobile phone number you can check right away. The store sends a code to it.
• A password. Letting your phone or browser suggest and save a strong password saves typing a long one. On iPhone, choose the suggested strong password when the keyboard offers it.
• Your delivery address and phone number. eBay asks for them during sign-up; Amazon asks at your first checkout.
• Go to the store yourself. Type amazon.com or ebay.com, or use the official app, instead of following a link in an email or text.

Amazon.com

1. On amazon.com, open "Account & Lists" (or "Sign in") and choose "Create your Amazon account". In the app, choose "Create account".
2. Enter your name, your mobile number or email, and a password.
3. Amazon sends a one-time code by text or email. Enter it to confirm. The code is only valid for a short time, so have your messages or email ready.

Accounts that use only a phone number, with no email, can be created only in the Amazon Shopping app. You can add an email later under Your Account, Login & security. Source: Amazon help: Create an account with a phone number.

Amazon may ask for a code again when you sign in from a new device. That is normal; see Amazon help: One-time password and two-step verification issues.

eBay

1. On ebay.com, choose "register". Enter your name, email address and a password, then "Create account".
2. Enter your address and phone number on the next page.
3. eBay emails you instructions to verify the account. You need to finish this before you buy.

Instead of filling in the form, you can choose "Continue with Google" or "Continue with Apple" on the registration page and use an account you already have. You still add your address and phone number afterwards. Source: eBay help: Creating an eBay account.

Just want to buy one item? You can check out as a guest without an account for Buy It Now items under $5,000. See our guide to paying on eBay.

If you get stuck

The code does not arrive or is hard to find

• Wait a minute, then check your spam or junk folder before asking for a new code. A new code usually replaces the old one, so use the latest.
• On iPhone, codes sent by text usually appear above the keyboard as "From Messages"; double-tap it to fill in the code without switching apps.

A picture puzzle or "verify you are human" check

• On eBay, open the puzzle's menu and choose the text challenge instead of pictures. You can also sign up for an hCaptcha accessibility cookie, which lets you skip these checks; see eBay help for users with special access needs.
• If Amazon shows a puzzle, look for an audio or alternative option first. If none works, contact Amazon's accessibility support, below.
• A sighted helper through Be My Eyes (free) or Aira can describe a puzzle. Never tell them your password or a verification code.

Help from the stores

• Amazon has a support team for customers with disabilities. Go to Contact Us, choose "Accessible Support for Customers with Disabilities", then chat or request a phone call. You can also email accessibility@amazon.com. Source: Amazon Customer Service Accessibility Support.
• eBay recommends JAWS with Chrome, NVDA with Firefox, or VoiceOver with Safari on Mac. For help, choose Help & Contact at the bottom of any eBay page, then Contact us.

Stay safe

• Amazon and eBay never call or text to ask for your password or a verification code. Anyone who asks is trying to take over your account.
• Find support through the store's own website or app, not through a search result or a number someone gives you.
• Use a different password for each store, and let your password manager remember them.

Next: signing in safely and paying on Amazon and eBay without a credit card.