- Google seems to be going ahead with its new tool that allows users to change their Gmail address
- Users’ old Gmail addresses will become an alternate email, and you’ll receive emails to both handles
- The company has reiterated that this is part of a gradual rollout, so it may not appear for all users just yet
Do you have an embarrassing Gmail address you made years ago and want it gone? Join the club. Well, I bring good news – it seems as though Google is officially rolling out a way for you to update your email address to something more respectable.
Back in December, we spotted an update in Google’s Hindi support page that hinted at a new tool which would allow users to change their primary email address, and now we’re even closer to a wider rollout. Until now, it was impossible to change your Gmail address without deleting your account and making a new one, so this new tool will remove that tedious complication.
The updated version of Gmail’s English-language support page reveals that the option to change your Gmail handle is 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 does reiterate 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 go to your account on mobile or desktop, head to ‘Personal info’ and select the ‘Email’ card. From there, you can select ‘Change your Google Account email address’ under ‘Google Account email’ and you’ll be prompted to enter your new email address. Your handle should change when you tap ‘Change email address’ and confirm – but what happens after that?
Once you’ve updated your Gmail address, Google says that your old handle will become an alternate email, and you’ll receive emails to both addresses. If you decide to revert back to your old Gmail address, you can do this at any time, however you won’t be able to create a new Google Account email ending in gmail.com for the next 12 months, nor 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 previous email address won’t be affected, but recommends that you backup your data just to be safe. Since this tool is part of a gradual rollout, Google has acknowledged that there may be a few hiccups along the way, especially with signing into third party apps using your Google account, but lays out recommended solutions in its help page.
So, soon I will be able to finally shake off my old address for something new. But what about you – will you be kicking off 2026 with a brand new Gmail handle?
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rowan.davies@futurenet.com (Rowan Davies)
