Google Now Allows Users to Change Their @gmail.com Address — Here’s How It Works

Google has begun allowing users to change their @gmail.com email address without creating a new Google account, according to updates on its official support pages. This marks a major shift in how Gmail identities work, as email addresses were previously permanent once created.

With this update, users can adopt a new Gmail username while keeping all existing data, services, and subscriptions intact.

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What Changes — and What Stays the Same

Under the new Gmail address change option:

What Changes

• You can replace your existing Gmail username with a new @gmail.com address
• Your new email becomes the primary Gmail address for your account

What Stays the Same

• All emails, Google Drive files, photos, and data remain untouched
• Active subscriptions and linked services continue seamlessly
• Your old Gmail address remains active as an alias
• Emails sent to the old address still arrive in the same inbox
• You can continue signing in using the old email address

In short, Google is separating account identity from email naming, giving users more flexibility without disruption.

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Rollout Status: Who Gets It First?

The feature has so far appeared on Google’s Hindi-language support pages, suggesting the rollout may be starting in India or Hindi-speaking regions.

Google has confirmed:

• The rollout is gradual
• Availability will expand to more users over time
• Not all accounts will see the option immediately

If the option doesn’t appear for your account yet, it simply means your account is not included in the current rollout phase.

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Important Limits and Restrictions

Google has placed clear safeguards around the feature:

• You can change your Gmail address once every 12 months
• A maximum of three Gmail address changes per account
• Once chosen, a new Gmail address cannot be deleted
• After changing your address, you must wait one year before selecting another new username

These limits are designed to prevent abuse while still offering meaningful flexibility.

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How to Change Your Gmail Address (Web)

1. Visit: myaccount.google.com/google-account-email
2. Click Personal info
3. Select Email
4. Choose Google account email
5. Click Change email address for your Google account
   (If this option isn’t visible, your account isn’t eligible yet)
6. Enter your new Gmail address and confirm

The new address becomes active immediately.

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How to Change Your Gmail Address on Android

1. Open myaccount.google.com/google-account-email on your Android device
2. Sign in to your Google account
3. Tap Personal info
4. Tap Email → Google account email
5. Select Change email address for your Google account (if available)
6. Enter your new Gmail address and confirm

Your new address starts working instantly, while the old one continues receiving emails.

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Why This Is a Big Deal

For years, users have asked for a way to:

• Switch to a more professional email address
• Fix outdated or awkward usernames
• Rebrand without losing years of data

This update finally delivers that flexibility—without forcing users to migrate data, update logins, or notify every contact manually.

By keeping the old address as an alias, Google ensures a smooth, low-risk transition.

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A Broader Shift Toward User Control

While Google has not announced a full global rollout timeline, this feature signals a broader shift toward greater user control over digital identity.

Under CEO Sundar Pichai, Google has increasingly focused on:

• Account portability
• Identity flexibility
• Reducing friction across its ecosystem

Allowing Gmail address changes is a major step in that direction.

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Final Note

If you don’t see the option yet, there’s nothing wrong with your account. Google has confirmed that the feature is rolling out in phases, and wider availability is expected over time.

For millions of users, this may be the first chance ever to change their Gmail address—without starting over.