- Google appears to be moving forward with its new tool that allows users to change their Gmail address
- Users’ old Gmail addresses will be converted to an alternate email and you will receive emails on both handles.
- The company has reiterated that this is part of a gradual rollout, so it may not appear for all users yet.
Do you have an embarrassing Gmail address that you created years ago and want to delete it? Join the club. Well, I’ve got some good news for you: it looks like Google is officially rolling out a way to update your email address to something more respectable.
Back in December, we spotted an update on Google’s Hindi support page that hinted at a new tool that would allow users to change their primary email address, and now we’re even closer to a broader rollout. Until now it was impossible to change your Gmail address without deleting your account and creating a new one, so this new tool will eliminate that tedious complication.
The updated version of Gmail’s English support page reveals that the option to change your Gmail ID will be rolling out this week, sharing “if your Google account email ends in gmail.com, you may be able to change it to another address that ends in @gmail.com.” However, Google reiterates that “the ability to change your Google Account email is gradually rolling out to all users and this option may not be available to you yet.”
When it comes to changing your Gmail address, the process is pretty easy to follow. When you access your account on a mobile or desktop device, go to “Personal Information” and select the “Email” card. From there, you can select “Change your Google Account email address” under “Google Account Email” and you will be prompted to enter your new email address. Your ID should change when you tap ‘Change Email Address’ and confirm, but what happens after that?
Once you’ve updated your Gmail address, Google says your old handle will be converted to an alternate email and you’ll receive emails to both addresses. If you decide to return to your old Gmail address, you can do so at any time; However, you will not be able to create a new Google email account ending in gmail.com for the next 12 months, or delete your new email address.
Google goes on to state that data saved in your account, such as photos, messages, and emails sent to your old email address, will not be affected, but recommends that you back up your data just to be safe. Since this tool is part of a gradual rollout, Google has acknowledged that there may be some hiccups along the way, especially when signing in to third-party apps using your Google account, but it does present recommended solutions on its help page.
So soon I’ll finally be able to ditch my old address for something new. But what about you? Will you start the year 2026 with a new Gmail account?
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