How to set up Alternative ID

In this article, you will learn how to set up Surfshark’s Alternative ID on your browser extension, Surfshark app on iOS or web app.

To remind you, Alternative ID is a tool that generates a brand new identity and an email for you to use online.

Set up Alternative ID on Surfshark web app

1. Log into your account on the Surfshark website, go to the Alternative ID tab, and click on Create.
   
    
2. Create your alternative persona. Select the gender, date of birth, country, and state. Click Create Alt persona.
   
    
3. In the next window, you will be introduced with your alternative email. You can either keep the generated one or regenerate a different one. If you are happy with your Alt email, click Continue.
   
     
4. On the next page, you will need to link your real email. Once you enter your email, click Create Alt email.
   
    
5. You will need to verify your email address. Find the email that was sent to your inbox and complete the email verification process.
   
     
6. After verification, you will see a confirmation of your Alt ID email. After you register using your Alt ID, the emails will be forwarded to your real email inbox until you decide to regenerate your alternative email.
   

Set up Personal data masking on the Surfshark iOS app

1. Launch the Surfshark application on your iOS device.
2. Tap the Antiscam tab located in the bottom navigation menu:
   
   
    
3. Select Personal data masking:
   
   
    
4. Tap Generate Alt email:
   
   
    
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process:
   
   
    
6. You will receive a verification code by email. Open it and follow the instructions to verify your linked email address:
   
   
    
7. Once the verification is complete, you can view your alt email and alt persona under the Personal data masking section:
   
   

Set up an email address in browser extension

1. In your Surfshark browser extension, click on the Alternative ID tab, and click on Create.
   
    
2. Here you can create your alternative persona. Select the gender, date of birth, country, and state. Click Continue.
   
     
3. In the next window, you will be introduced to your alternative email. You can either keep the generated one or regenerate a different one.
   
     
4. On the next page, you will need to link your real email. Once you enter your email, click Create Alt ID.
   
     
5. An email containing a verification code will be sent to your email inbox. Copy that verification code, enter it in the Verification code field, and click Confirm.
   
    
6. After verification, you will see a confirmation of your Alt ID email.
   
    

You may also be interested in:

• What is Alternative ID?
• How to use Alternative ID
• How to edit Alternative ID