Google working on a new feature that lets users change their email addresses

Users can soon switch embarrassing or outdated @gmail.com handles without losing data or creating a new account.

After nearly two decades of being locked into the username they first chose, Google is finally addressing one of its most persistent user requests: the ability to change an @gmail.com email address without sacrificing years of digital history. The company has begun the quiet, gradual rollout of a new feature that lets users swap their current Gmail handle for a new one while retaining all their data.

This move marks a significant shift in how personal online identity is managed, potentially freeing hundreds of millions of users from "gamer_dude2007" or "hottiestuff4u" accounts chosen in their youth.

The long-awaited identity switch

Previously, changing a Gmail address required creating a completely new Google Account and manually transferring data, a tedious, high-risk process that often broke integrations with third-party apps and services. The new feature eliminates this hassle.

All existing account data, including emails, Drive files, photos, contacts, and purchases across services like YouTube and Google Play, remains entirely intact and tied to the account.

Moreover, the old email address does not disappear. Instead, it automatically becomes a permanent alias tied to the user's account. Emails sent to the old address will continue to land in the same inbox, ensuring continuity and preventing lost mail. Users can also sign in with either the old or the new address.

Process

Users who receive the feature will find the option under Google Account Settings → Personal Info → Email. They can then enter and confirm an available new @gmail.com username.

Restrictions and guardrails

To prevent abuse, spam, and handle squatting, Google has placed clear limits on the feature:

• 12-Month cooldown: After changing a Gmail address, users must wait 12 months before making another change or deleting the new address.

• Lifetime cap: Each Google account is limited to a maximum of three username changes over its lifetime (meaning a total of four possible usernames can be associated with the account).

• Eligibility: The feature is only for personal accounts that end in @gmail.com. Work, school, and custom domain accounts must still be managed by their administrators.

Feature availability

The rollout appears to be phased, with initial documentation spotted on Google's Hindi-language support pages. This suggests an initial focus on India and other emerging markets before a full global expansion. While the English support pages still state that @gmail.com addresses usually cannot be changed, the company's internal documentation confirms the feature is now actively being introduced.