Google Finally Lets You Change Your Gmail Address: Here’s How to Do It

The inability to change a Gmail address has frustrated Google users for a long time. What makes it more ridiculous is other providers like Yahoo and Outlook have been offering it for the better part of a decade!

People still operating with embarrassing usernames created in their teenage years now have the option to create a new and appropriate @gmail.com address without losing their data.

Yes, Google has finally come round and is launching a feature allowing users to replace their Gmail address. Your messages, app purchases, photos remain even after making the new email address.

Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Gmail Address

Anyone using a standard @gmail.com address can update their Google Account email using these steps:

On Desktop

1. Open your Google account settings on your PC or Mac, look for it at myaccount.google.com/google-account-email

2. Sign in using your Gmail email address and password.

3. Look on the left hand sidebar and click on Personal Info option.

4. Continue scrolling and click on the Email.

5. Look for the option to Change your Google Account email address. If you can’t see it, the feature hasn’t yet reached your account.

6. Continue with the prompts to login, verify your identity, and select your preferred username.

On Android & iPhone

Method 1

1. Open the Google App (or Chrome app).

2. Click on your profile picture that’s located at the top right corner. If not logged in, enter your login details.

3. Directly beneath your account email address, select the Manage your Google Account settings.

4. Find the tab that reads Personal Info.

5. Scroll through the contact info details, tap on Google Account Email / Email.

6. If the feature has reached you, tap the Change icon to replace your Gmail address

Method 2

1. Go to Phone Settings.

2. Scroll and click on the option that reads Password, passkeys, & accounts.

3. Click on the account for which you wish to change the Google email address.

4. Select Google Account (underneath this reads info, security, personalization).

5. You’ll be redirected to your Google account settings, from here follow this route:

Personal Info → Email → Change Google Account email address

NOTE: If you can’t access the Google Account email update feature, it probably hasn’t rolled out to your region.

Key Updates of Google’s Email Address Changing Feature

This long overdue email address changing feature launched by Google can be highlighted by the following key points:

• Email Address Change Limit: Google has made it possible to link or modify Gmail IDs for a maximum of three times.
• Safety Lock-In: Once an email address is changed, the old one remains “locked” for a period of 12 months, preventing other users from claiming it.
• Data Preservation: Users won’t lose emails, Google Photos, or Drive documents when changing Gmail addresses.
• Auto Aliasing: The old Gmail address doesn’t disappear but acts as a “primary alias”, meaning you will still receive emails from the old address. You can even still use it to sign into your new address.
• Addition of Punctuation: Any punctuation used in the Google email address usernames cannot be changed.

Limitations: What to Consider Before Changing Your Gmail Address

Although this is a breakthrough for Google account management, users should be cautious before switching. Things to take note of are:

• Third-Party Login: You will have to update your profile on websites with the “Sign in with Google”.
• Chromebook Sign-In: Users of Chromebook devices will have to sign-in again to their ChromeOS device to sync the new credentials.
• App Settings: Some apps may not work and reset if they depend on identification using email.

Why This Matters to Personal Users and for Google Workspace

Google’s “unchangeable” stance on Gmail addresses has resulted in countless unused, old, “zombie accounts”. The new Gmail alias feature has probably been finally launched to streamline email migration and facilitate professional digital identity with growth.