How to Change Your Gmail Address
Google has recently rolled out a new update to Gmail that allows users to change their email username, the part that comes before @gmail.com. This marks the first update of its kind since Gmail was originally launched.
This long-awaited feature primarily addresses one of the most common issues users face: owning an important Gmail address that feels unprofessional, outdated, or even embarrassing to share. For years, many users were forced to either stick with an unsuitable email address or abandon it entirely when switching to a more professional one for work or business purposes.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to change your Gmail email address step by step and finally take advantage of this new feature introduced by Google.
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| How to Change Your Gmail Address |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Change Your Gmail Address After Google’s Latest Update
First, you need to make sure that the feature is available for your account. Although Google has finally introduced the option to change your Gmail address, it is being rolled out gradually and may not be available in all regions yet.
To access the option to change your Gmail address, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Gmail account as usual.
- Open Account Settings by clicking on your profile picture at the top, then select Manage your Google Account.
- Go to Personal Info.
- Scroll down and look for Email settings.
- You will see several sections, such as: Primary email, Secondary email, Account recovery email.
- Under Primary email, you should find the option to change your Gmail address.
- Click on Change Gmail address, then select Change Google Account Email.
- Enter your new email address and save the changes.
- Wait a few minutes; after that, your new Gmail address will become your primary email.
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| Change Google Account Email |
Please note that this feature is not yet available to everyone and will continue to roll out gradually to users worldwide. {alertInfo}
FAQs About the Gmail Address Change Feature
This new feature has raised many questions among users. Below are the most common ones, along with clear answers:
1. What happens if someone emails my old Gmail address?
Google has addressed this issue using email forwarding. Any emails sent to your old Gmail address will automatically be delivered to your new inbox. Google hasn’t officially stated whether this forwarding is temporary, but logically, it is expected to remain active for a long period.
2. Can I change my Gmail address again after the first change?
Yes, you can change your Gmail address again. However, Google has set a 12-month waiting period between each change. This means once you update your address, you must wait one full year before changing it again.
3. Can I use both email addresses at the same time?
Technically and practically, yes. However, to avoid any future issues (such as Google disabling message delivery to the old address), it’s recommended to rely fully on the new Gmail address and gradually stop using the old one.
4. When will this update reach my country?
Google rolls out updates gradually by region, not globally all at once. Countries like India and Brazil often receive updates first, followed by other regions. Given the importance of this feature, it is expected to become available worldwide within the coming months.
5. Is this the same as the old Gmail Alias feature?
No. The Alias feature allows you to modify your existing email address slightly without actually changing it. For example, if your email is buzzspot@gmail.com, aliases could include:
- buzzspot@gmail.com
- buzz_spot@gmail.com
These variations still rely on the original address and do not represent a true Gmail address change.
6. What if the username I want is already taken?
Changing your Gmail address works the same way as creating a new one. If the username is already in use, you’ll need to choose a different available address.
7. Does this mean I can register on two websites using both emails?
In practice, yes. However, many websites rely on email verification, one-time codes, and two-factor authentication (2FA). If a website does not recognize both addresses as belonging to the same account, you may be able to register separately using each one.
Conclusion
Google’s new ability to change your Gmail username marks one of the most important updates to the service since its launch. It finally solves a long-standing problem for users who are stuck with outdated, unprofessional, or embarrassing email addresses, without forcing them to abandon their accounts entirely.
With automatic forwarding, clear limitations on changes, and a simple step-by-step process, this feature offers a smooth and practical transition to a cleaner, more professional Gmail address. While the rollout is still gradual, once it reaches your region, it’s highly recommended to take advantage of it, especially if you use Gmail for work, business, or public communication.
In short, this update gives users more control over their digital identity, making Gmail more flexible, modern, and user-friendly than ever before.