How To Create An Airbnb Profile

How To Create An Airbnb Account [Or Change Or Delete It]

How To Create An Airbnb Account

Creating an Airbnb user account is simple.

But you must also verify your identity before you're able to book a stay or experience (or even message Airbnb's support team). Your account access will be limited until then.

In this guide, I'll show you how to create your Airbnb account.

We'll also cover how to get verified, why Airbnb requires verification, the discontinued new user sign-up discount, how to sign into your account, how to edit/change your account details (contact, payment, password, photo), how to delete your account, and how to get help with sign-up or login.

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How To Create An Airbnb Account (Sign Up)

On Airbnb.com, click the account icon in the upper-right corner, then select "Sign up" from the drop-down.

On this pop-up, enter your phone number and click "Continue", or sign up using your email address, Facebook account, Google account or Apple ID. If you choose phone number or email, Airbnb will send you a verification code to complete the sign-up process.

On the following pages, enter your full name, email address, phone number and payment information. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, and guests under 25 face booking restrictions in certain countries. To learn more about Airbnb's age restrictions, click here.

After you've signed up, you must verify your identity prior to booking.

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How To Verify Your Airbnb Account

Airbnb requires account verification so hosts and guests can trust one another.

To verify your identity, you'll provide your legal name, home address and a photo of an official government ID (passport, driver's license or national identity card). You must also upload a clear photo of yourself (of your face). Airbnb hides your phone number from hosts until you've booked with them, and only your first name (username) and profile photo (avatar) are displayed publicly.

To read Airbnb's identity verification policy, click here.

To read Airbnb's privacy policy, click here.

Why Airbnb Requires ID/License Verification

Airbnb requires guests to verify their identity to ensure the platform remains a safe ecosystem where hosts can trust new guests. Airbnb matches your government ID photo with the photo you upload for facial verification. Your ID can be a travel document (like a passport), driver's license or another government-issued identity card.

It can take up to 24 hours for Airbnb to review/check/verify your ID, but it only took a couple hours in my case (which seems to be common). Airbnb claims that ID verification is safe and that they don't share your sensitive ID information with hosts.

For Airbnb's instructions on uploading your ID, click here.

Airbnb's New User Sign-Up Discount (Discontinued)

For years, Airbnb had a referral program that rewarded new and existing users.

The process worked like this - existing users could share their unique referral promo code link with new users. New users would receive up to $65 off their first booking (stay or experience) by using the sign-up coupon, and existing users were credited cash value that was applicable as a discount towards future bookings.

Unfortunately, the referral program was discontinued in early 2021. To learn how the program worked and to read some frequently asked questions regarding Airbnb promo codes, click here.

How To Complete Your Guest Profile

It's important to fill out your guest profile, especially as a new user with no reviews.

To do so, go to your Account page (click "Account" from the drop-down menu), then click "Go to profile" at the top of your Account page. From here, upload a photo and write your profile description (click "Edit profile").

Describe yourself in the bio box (you can include things like how you prefer to travel, your travel history, favorite destinations, hobbies, personality, etc.). Under your personal bio box, you can enter where you live, the languages you speak and your profession.

How To Sign In (Log In) To Your Airbnb Account

After your account registration is complete, you can sign into your account. To do so, click the account icon in the upper-right corner and select "Log in" from the drop-down menu.

On the sign in pop-up, enter the email address and password you used to create your account, then click "Log in".

Login Through Facebook, Google Or Apple

You can also sign in to your Airbnb account through Facebook, Google or with your Apple ID. To learn how to connect your Airbnb account to your Facebook or Google account, click here. To learn how to sign into Airbnb using your Apple ID, click here.

You can disconnect your Airbnb account from Facebook, Google or Apple at a later time.

How To Edit Or Change Your Airbnb Account Details

On your "Account" page, you can update or change your login details, contact information (email address, phone number, payment method/details, password, profile photo, etc.) and manage preferences (like email subscription). Just follow the instructions below.

How To Edit Or Change Your Email Address Or Phone Number

To edit, update, change, reset or delete your account's email address or phone number, click your account icon in upper-right corner, then select "Account" from the drop-down menu.

On your Account page, click "Personal info".

On the next page, you can edit or change your email address or phone number (and other personal information) by clicking "Edit" beside them. You may be sent a confirmation email or text as well.

How To Edit Or Change Your Payment Method/Details

To update, edit, change or delete your account's payment method or details (including billing address or credit card details), click your account icon in upper-right corner, then select "Account" from the drop-down menu.

On your Account page, click "Payments & payouts".

On the following page, you can update, edit or remove (delete) an existing payment method or add a new credit card to your account by clicking "Add payment method".

How To Change Your Account Password

To update or change your account password, click your account icon in upper-right corner, then select "Account" from the drop-down menu.

On your Account page, click "Login & security".

On the following page, you can change your account password or connect your social accounts. You may be sent a confirmation email to confirm the password change.

How To Change/Update Your Profile Photo

To update your profile photo, click your account icon in upper-right corner, then select "Account" from the drop-down menu.

On your Account page, click "Go to profile".

On the following page, click "Update photo" below your current profile picture. Click the trash image to delete your existing profile photo, then upload a new one. Your updated profile picture will be displayed as your account avatar.

How To Change Your Account's Default Currency Or Language

To change your account's default currency and/or language, click your account icon in the upper-right corner of the home page, then select "Account" from the drop-down menu.

On your Account page, click "Global Preferences".

airbnb-account-global-preferences-language-currency.png

On the following page, click "Edit" beside your preferred language (English, for example) or preferred currency (USD, for example) to make a change. You can also change your account's time zone here. These changes can be made via the website or mobile app and apply to all listings and reservations.

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How To Deactivate Or Delete Your Airbnb Account

As an Airbnb user, you have the option to deactivate (for later reactivation) or permanently delete your account. You can delete your account on the website or app (iPhone, Android or other).

How To Deactivate Your Airbnb Account

To deactivate your Airbnb account, click your account icon in the upper-right corner of the home page, then select "Account" from the drop-down menu.

On your Account page, scroll down until you see "Need to deactivate your account?", then click "Take care of that now" just below it.

On the following pages, you'll provide the reason why you're deactivating your account and confirm your decision. To reactivate your account, try signing in using your account's email address and password (you'll go through a reactivation process).

For the complete guide to contacting Airbnb, click here.

How To Delete Your Airbnb Account

To delete your profile completely, use this link after you've signed into your account.

On this Manage Your Data page, select "Delete your account" towards the bottom. Airbnb will require you to verify your identity before your request is processed.

To learn more about deleting or deactivating an Airbnb account, click here.

As of 2021, it's not possible to delete messages or conversations from your inbox (but you can archive them) or old/past trips from your booking history. For help with deleting a saved list, click here.

Help With Signing Up Or Logging In To Your Airbnb Account

Sign-Up Problems/Issues

Airbnb created this page to help new users with common issues they might encounter when signing up for a new account (such as email verification not working).

Log In Problems/Issues

If you're having a login problem (like login failing, forgot your email, can't sign into the app, or you're receiving alerts like "unable to perform action" or "email was recently in use by another user"), browse Airbnb's Help Center for help regarding login and other issues.

For password help (password reset, invalid login credentials, etc.), click here.

Why Is My Photo ID Not Working?

Your photo ID might not be accepted if your personal photo and government ID photo don't match. For example, your appearance (facial hair, etc.) could be different in the two. For Airbnb's words on this issue, click here.

Airbnb Account Issues

Your new Airbnb account could be experiencing an issue for a variety of reasons. It could be due to breaking one of Airbnb's rules (for example, some users report their account being deactivated because they have a criminal record). Some issues a new Airbnb account may experience include:

Account (temporarily or permanently) deactivated
Account (temporarily or permanently) suspended
Account disabled/restricted/locked out
Account cancelled/terminated/banned
Account disappeared/stolen or compromised/hacked

If you've experienced one of these problems, you may need to go through an account reset or recovery process (like verifying your account activity, settings or personal information) to retrieve your account. For help with account issues, refer to Airbnb's Help Center. For the complete guide to contacting Airbnb, click here.

You can also better secure your Airbnb account by enabling 2-step authentication. For instructions on how to do so, click here. To learn how Airbnb conducts background checks, click here.

Phone Number Problems

If your phone number isn't working or you've received an error notification (such as a lost number, a verification problem, "already in use", "not supported", "something went wrong", or "maximum attempts have been reached"), contact Airbnb through the Help Center.

To replace your account's phone number with a new one, refer to the demonstration above.

How To Change Users

To change users, simply log out then log in using the credentials of the user account you want to switch to.

*For the 5 things you should bring to an Airbnb stay, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Creating and verifying your Airbnb account is simple, but necessary. This is how Airbnb verifies guests' and hosts' identities, so that guests can trust a stranger's home and so hosts can trust new users to stay in their property.

To learn more about Airbnb, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

Learn More About Airbnb

Introduction To Airbnb

What Is Airbnb? [How It Works, Makes Money, FAQ]
Is Airbnb Safe, Legit And Trustworthy? [Plus 5 Scams To Avoid]
13 Reasons Every Traveler Should Try Airbnb [At Least Once]

Understand Your Options

Airbnb vs. Hotels Comparison [Atmosphere, Price, Safety, Amenities]
Airbnb vs. VRBO, HomeAway, FlipKey, TurnKey, OVO [Comparison]
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Airbnb Rentals [Comparison Guide]

Get Started With Airbnb

How To Create An Airbnb Account [Or Change Or Delete It]
How To Book An Airbnb [The Complete Guide]
How To Pay On Airbnb [Step-By-Step, FAQ]

Know Before You Go

What To Bring To An Airbnb [Know Before You Go]
How To Check Into And Check Out Of An Airbnb [Traveler's Guide]
Airbnb Etiquette Guide [Know Before You Go]
Airbnb's Age Restrictions [Under 18, 25, FAQ]

Specific Types Of Bookings

How To Find An Airbnb With A Specific Feature [Or Unique Stay]
How To Find An Airbnb That Allows Pets [Airbnb's Pet Policy]
How To Find An Airbnb With A Pool, Hot Tub Or Jacuzzi [Step-By-Step]
Can You Throw A Party In An Airbnb Rental? [Party Policy Explained]

Cancellations, Refunds And Changes

How To Change Or Cancel Your Airbnb Booking [Step-By-Step]

Airbnb's Cancellation And Refund Policy [Flexible, Moderate, Strict]

Airbnb's Other Listing Categories

Airbnb Plus Explained [Airbnb's Vetted Listings]
Airbnb Luxe Explained [Airbnb's Luxury Listings]

Airbnb's Other Features

Airbnb Experiences Explained [Plus How To Book, Examples]
Airbnb Adventures Explained [Plus How To Book, Examples]

Help With Your Account

How To Contact Airbnb [Phone, Email, Resolutions, Emergencies]

How To Leave A Review On Airbnb [And Earn A High Rating]

Airbnb Gift Card Guide [How It Works, Where To Buy One, FAQ]

The Updated Guide To Airbnb Referral Promo Codes [2021]

Taz is a travel writer fascinated by history, cultures and cuisines. Connect with him or follow his travels on Instagram - @tazzaidi