Google is introducing a long-awaited option that will allow Gmail users to change their primary email address without having to create a new account.
This marks a major shift in how Google accounts work, ending decades of permanence for Gmail addresses that end in @gmail.com.
According to 9to5Google, the new capability is currently being rolled out gradually and is not yet available to all users.
Early traces of the feature were spotted on Google’s support documentation, including a version that was visible in Hindi, suggesting a phased launch before wider availability.
How the feature works
Users who see the option in their Google Account settings will be able to select a new email name that still ends in @gmail.com.
Once the change is made, the old Gmail address will remain linked to the account as an email alias.
Additionally, emails sent to both the old and new addresses will arrive in the same inbox.
After the change, users can sign in to services such as Gmail, Drive, YouTube, Maps and Google Play with either address.
Further, all existing data including emails, contacts, photos, and files will stay intact.
This is a major improvement over the previous system, where users who wanted a different Gmail address had to create a completely new account and manually transfer data.
Limits and restrictions
Google has put some guardrails in place to prevent misuse and manage how the feature functions over time.
Once a Gmail address is changed, it cannot be changed again or deleted for 12 months.
Each account can only change its @gmail.com address up to three times, meaning a maximum of four distinct Gmail addresses over the lifetime of the account.
The original Gmail address continues as an alias and cannot be claimed by another user during this period.
Some services may still show the old address in places like calendar events created before the change.
Why this matters
For many Gmail users, the inability to change an email address has been a long-standing source of frustration, especially for those who signed up years ago with a personal or unprofessional username.
This update gives users more flexibility to update their digital identity without losing access to important data and services.
Scammer and hacker caution
As with any change involving login credentials, users should be cautious of scams and fraudulent messages claiming to help with Gmail address changes.
A reddit account cautions that Google will never send unsolicited emails asking you to click a link to change your Gmail address.
Phishing attempts often mimic official communications to trick users into entering passwords or verification codes.
The account urged users to always verify through your Google Account settings rather than links in emails or messages that seem urgent or unexpected.
According to Android Sage, if the change feature is visible for your account, it will appear directly inside Google Account settings under “Personal info” and “Email.”
Users should ensure they are signed in securely and avoid entering credentials on unfamiliar websites.
by SHARON MWENDE
