Cannot Create New Icloud Email/Apple ID w/o having an existing (non apple) email? Since when?

When creating a new Apple Account from an Apple device, you get 5 GB free storage and optional email, though there are limits to how many free 5 GB Apple Accounts can be created per Apple device. Three accounts per, if I recall correctly.

When creating a new account without an associated Apple device, you get 1 GB of free storage, and no email. This is called a web-only account, and is intended to be used when sharing documents with people outside the Apple systems; sharing with those not using Apple gear.

For details on the 1 GB storage tier, see: Web-only access to iCloud - Apple Support

When you next sign into a web-only Apple Account from an Apple device, you should be upgraded to 5 GB, and can optionally migrate to an iCloud email account.

If you need more storage from Apple past the free 5 GB, you’ll want to purchase an iCloud+ paid-tier subscription, with available storage up to 12 TB: iCloud+ plans and pricing - Apple Support

Why these limits? Presumably abuse of free accounts, and of the free email.

Device purchases presumably subsidize a whole lot of what (else) Apple offers buyers, too.

If you’re signing in from or are creating an Apple Account on Apple gear, this is all rather more seamless.

You can use an existing mail address now to create the Apple Account and change the primary email address to the @iCloud address later:

Change your Apple Account primary email address - Apple Support

MrHoffman wrote:

When creating a new account without an associated Apple device, you get 1 GB of free storage, and no email. This is called a web-only account, and is intended to be used when sharing documents with people outside the Apple systems; sharing with those not using Apple gear.

Well, I learned something new.

Limnos wrote:

I am not familiar with a time when Apple automatically created an iCloud mail account for you (my account is 21 years old). It has always been an option but you have to do that as a later step.

Apple doesn’t do that automatically. It’s optional, and is also only offered when creating an Apple Account from an Apple device.

As for changing to an iCloud address later, it is not a good idea to use your iCloud address as your primary Apple Account address. Should you have problems getting access to your account, Apple will likely try sending you recovery information to the very account where you can't read it. I see a lot of posts here where people say that they cannot read the emails Apple is sending them as part of account recovery because Apple is sending them to their iCloud email address. If you do want to use your iCloud address then make sure you also enter notification addresses. About your Apple Account email addresses - Apple Support

For this concern, an Account Recovery Contact: Set up an account recovery contact - Apple Support

…and a Notification address: About your Apple Account email addresses - Apple Support

…can be useful here.

[I’d usually keep the main Apple Account email, and the rescue or notification email address, on separate email providers.]

I am not familiar with a time when Apple automatically created an iCloud mail account for you (my account is 21 years old). It has always been an option but you have to do that as a later step.

As for changing to an iCloud address later, it is not a good idea to use your iCloud address as your primary Apple Account address. Should you have problems getting access to your account, Apple will likely try sending you recovery information to the very account where you can't read it. I see a lot of posts here where people say that they cannot read the emails Apple is sending them as part of account recovery because Apple is sending them to their iCloud email address. If you do want to use your iCloud address then make sure you also enter notification addresses. About your Apple Account email addresses - Apple Support

IdrisSeabright wrote:

Well, I learned something new.

Your turn in the ten thousand, eh?

A big part of why I’m active in ASC is learning new things, too.

Web-only Apple accounts have been around for a decade, maybe more.

Correct, those are the things I just said 5 minutes ago, along with the link.

Apple doesn’t do that automatically.

The OP said it was done automatically. I said AFAIK it has never been set automatically. Apple offers it as a later step.

…and a Notification address:

If you do want to use your iCloud address then make sure you also enter notification addresses.

A recovery contact is not technically your own address but that of a person who can assist you with account recovery. Apple says: "An account recovery contact is someone who can verify your identity and help you regain access to your account and all of your data if you ever get locked out. "

MrHoffman wrote:

Your turn in the ten thousand, eh?

I spend a fair bit of time there.

A big part of why I’m active in ASC is learning new things, too.

Absolutely.