Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Mountain View, USA — Google has started rolling out a highly anticipated update that allows users to change their Gmail addresses without losing access to their existing accounts, emails, files, photos or connected services — a significant shift from the company’s long‑standing policy that made email addresses permanent once created. The change, spotted on Google’s updated support pages and highlighted by tech news outlets, marks a major evolution in how the company manages digital identity for its global user base.
Traditionally, Gmail users who wanted a new email address — whether for professional reasons or personal preference — had no option but to create an entirely new Google account. That process often involved manually migrating emails, contacts, Google Drive files, photos, app data and linked third‑party accounts, a cumbersome and error‑prone task that discouraged many from updating outdated or unpopular email handles. The new feature promises to eliminate that hurdle.
Under the updated system, users will be able to select a new Gmail address (the part before “@gmail.com”) while maintaining their original Google account and all associated data. Once the change is made, the previous Gmail address becomes an alias — emails sent to the old address will still arrive in the user’s inbox, and both the old and new addresses can be used to sign in to the same account.
The feature’s rollout appears to be gradual and phased, with indications that it may initially be available in select regions, including India, where support documentation in Hindi first showed the option. Google has not publicly detailed a global launch timeline or confirmed precisely where and when all users will see the setting in their accounts.
While the update promises convenience, it also introduces certain limits to guard against misuse and preserve account stability. Users will be permitted to change their Gmail address only once every 12 months, and may be allowed a finite number of overall changes per account — reports suggest a maximum of three new addresses over the lifetime of a single account. Additionally, once a new address is selected it cannot be deleted or replaced until the next eligible update window.
Experts say that the change brings Gmail closer in line with competitors like Microsoft Outlook, which already allow users to switch primary addresses or manage aliases more flexibly. For many users who’ve been stuck with email names created years or even decades ago, this update could offer a long‑sought opportunity to adopt more professional or personally meaningful email identities without the disruption of starting a new account.
Google’s support documentation notes that while the old address becomes an alias, other core account settings, app connections and services such as Drive, Maps, YouTube, Photos, and Workspace subscriptions should remain fully intact and functional after the address change. This is expected to alleviate concerns about breaking logins or losing access to content tied to the original account.
The company has not yet issued a detailed public statement announcing the feature, but users who have seen the option appearing in their account settings have taken to social media and tech forums to share screenshots and experiences. For many, the prospect of ditching an awkward or outdated email address without jeopardising years of accumulated data is a welcome development.
Analysts suggest this move could become one of Gmail’s most user‑impactful updates in years, especially as email addresses increasingly serve as both communication tools and professional identifiers across digital platforms. By giving users the ability to refresh their address without losing continuity, Google may help millions of people modernise their online presence with minimal disruption — a significant shift in a service used by billions worldwide.
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