Google is rolling out a feature to fix or change your Gmail address (How To)
Your Google Account email address is your digital identity. Also known as Gmail, billions of people use it every day in personal or professional settings. This address appears when you send emails, share files in Google Drive, send calendar invites, or use the “Sign in with Google” feature on third-party websites. But what if you could change your gmail address you set up decades ago? It is now possible to change ot fix your @gmail email address to something more suitable.
The email address associated with your Google Account is considered your primary email address, though you can add secondary addresses and recovery options. When you sign into any Google service, this email appears next to your name and profile photo, making it visible to collaborators and contacts.
Google is now rolling out an extremely useful feature that would allow you to change or fix your @gmail email addresses. In a recent announcement spotted by the “Google Pixel Hub” group on Telegram, it says Google is now rolling out changing email addresses.
The email address associated with your Google Account is the address you use to sign in to Google services. This email address helps you and others identify your account. If you’d like, you can change your Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com to a new email address that ends in gmail.com.
This change is followed by Google’s Material 3 Expressive design language and Gemini for Gmail.
How to Change Your Google Account Email Address? Gmail Address
Google Account email address, also known as Gmail, serves as your primary identity across the internet. If you are using Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, or any other Google service, this email address is also your gateway. But what happens when you need to change it? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your old username, or you simply want something more professional. The good news is that Google now allows users to change their Gmail addresses, and this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
What You Need to Know Before Making the Change
Before diving into the process, it’s important to understand that the ability to change your Google Account email address is gradually rolling out to all users. This means the option might not be available to you immediately. Currently, this feature specifically applies to users who want to change from one Gmail address (ending in @gmail.com) to another Gmail address (ending in @gmail.com).
Important Limitations and Considerations
There are several crucial points to keep in mind:
Timing Restrictions: Once you change your email address, you cannot create a new Google Account with that old email address for 12 months. Additionally, you cannot delete your new email address during this period.
One Google account will allow up to three new creations of email addresses, and this action is not reversible.
Email Address Availability: You must choose an email address that isn’t currently being used by another Google Account. However, you can select an address that was previously used by someone else and has since been deleted.
Frequency Limits: While Google allows email address changes, there are limits on how many times you can make this change to prevent abuse of the system.
Old email address will still be displayed on calendar events and other content created before the email address change.
What happens after you change your Google Account email address
When you change your Google Account email address from an email address ending in gmail.com to a new email address ending in gmail.com:
- The old email address in your Google Account that ends with gmail.com will be set as an alias. Learn more about alias email addresses .
- You will receive emails at both your old and new email addresses.
- Data saved in your account, including photos, messages, and emails sent to your old email address, will not be affected.
- You can reuse your old Google Account email address at any time. However, you can’t create a new Google Account email address that ends with gmail.com for the next 12 months. You can’t delete your new email address either.
- You can sign in to Google services like Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Google Play, or Drive with your old or new email address.
Potential Issues
Before making the change, review whether any of these situations apply to you:
Chromebook Users: If you use a Chromebook, there are specific considerations you should review before changing your email address. The change may affect how you access your device and its settings.
Sign in with Google: If you use “Sign in with Google” to access third-party websites and applications, changing your email address may affect these connections. You may need to update your login information on these external services.
Chrome Remote Desktop: Users who rely on Chrome Remote Desktop to connect to other computers should be aware that this change might cause connection issues that need troubleshooting.
Situations where different approaches apply
Not everyone’s situation is identical when it comes to changing their Google Account email address. Here are the main scenarios:
Changing from One Gmail Address to Another
This is the standard case covered by the new feature. If your current Google Account email ends with @gmail.com and you want to switch to a different @gmail.com address, you can use the direct change feature outlined in this guide.
Switching from Gmail to a Non-Gmail Address
If you have a Gmail address but need to change to a non-Gmail address (like a custom domain), you’ll need to delete your Gmail account. However, consider adding the non-Gmail address as an alias instead—this allows you to keep your Gmail account while receiving emails at multiple addresses.
Changing from Non-Gmail to Gmail
If your Google Account currently uses a non-Gmail email address and you want to add Gmail, you’ll need to add Gmail services to your existing Google Account rather than changing the address.
Work or School Accounts
If your Google Account email address is managed by your workplace, educational institution, or another organization, you cannot change it yourself. You’ll need to contact your administrator to request any changes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Email Address
Start by checking whether you can change your email address:
- Navigate to myaccount.google.com/google-account-email on your computer, Android, or iPhone
- Sign in if prompted
- Click on “Personal Information” in the top left corner
- Select your current Google Account email address
- Look for the “Change your Google Account email address” option under “Google Account Email”
- Enter your desired new username (the part before @gmail.com)
- Ensure the address isn’t already in use by another account
- Click “Yes, change email address”
- Follow any additional on-screen instructions
- Confirm the change
If you don’t see this option, the feature isn’t available for your account yet. If you do see it, you’re ready to proceed.
After completion, your new email address will appear as your primary Google Account email, and your old address will automatically become a secondary email address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my old email address back?
Yes, you can reuse your old Gmail address at any time. Your new address will remain active, and you’ll have access to both.
Can I delete my old email address?
No, you cannot remove your old email address from your Google Account or prevent it from appearing as a secondary address.
What if someone else wants my old address?
Once you change your email address, your old address becomes unavailable for anyone else to use on a new Google Account for 12 months.
Can I modify my email by adding or removing dots?
Gmail doesn’t recognize dots as characters within email addresses, so adding or removing dots doesn’t create a different address.
What if my desired email address is taken?
You’ll need to choose a different username. Consider adding numbers, underscores, or variations of your name to find an available option.
