Google Finally Lets You Change Your @gmail.com Address — Here’s What It Means

For the first time, Google is rolling out a feature that lets users change their Gmail address — even if it ends with @gmail.com. This long-requested upgrade marks a major shift in how Gmail accounts work, giving users more control over their digital identity.

 What’s New?

Traditionally, if you created a Gmail address, it was permanent. Want a more professional username or ditch a handle you created years ago? Tough luck — until now.

Google now says — on a support page that’s being gradually rolled out to all users — that you’ll be able to change your Gmail username (the part before the @gmail.com), while keeping the same account. 9to5Google

Here’s how it works:

• You pick a new @gmail.com address — say changing from oldname@gmail.com to newname@gmail.com.

• Your old address becomes an alias, meaning emails sent to either your old or new address will land in your inbox.

• You’ll be able to sign in using either address on Google services like Gmail, YouTube, Maps, Drive, and more.

• All your data stays safe — including emails, photos, settings, and files. Business Standard

 Key Limitations You Should Know

• Limited Changes: Users can change their Gmail address only once every 12 months, and a total of three times per account lifetime.
• Availability: The feature is rolling out gradually and may not be available to all users immediately.
• Old Address Restriction: After a change, the old address cannot be used to create a new, separate Google Account for 12 months

As with many new features, there are some restrictions designed to keep things tidy and prevent misuse:

• You can only change your Gmail address once every 12 months.

• Each account can make a maximum of three address changes, meaning up to four different Gmail addresses total over time.

• Some legacy items, like older Calendar invites, may still show your previous email address.

• How to Check if You Can Change Your Address

  The option should appear in your Google Account settings once available. 

  1. Go to your Google Account settings.
  2. Navigate to the Personal info tab.
  3. Under the “Contact info” section, click on Email.
  4. Select Google Account email.
  5. If you can click this setting and see an “Edit” option, you can proceed with the change by following the on-screen instructions. 

  If the setting is grayed out or you see a message that the address cannot be changed, the feature is not yet available for your account, and you will have to wait for the gradual rollout 

 Why This Matters

This update is huge for users who have stuck with Gmail handles created in their teens or early careers — names like crazyguy123@gmail.com might finally be replaced with something more professional. It also simplifies managing your identity across the Google ecosystem without losing years of data or disrupting how you sign in.

It’s especially helpful if you:

• Want to rebrand your professional email address without losing access to old messages

• Regret the username you picked years ago

• Are tired of juggling multiple Gmail accounts and just want one that finally feels right

 When Will You Get It?

Google says the feature is gradually rolling out, so not everyone will see the option immediately — and in some regions, the updated support documentation is already live (first seen in Hindi pages).

Once it reaches your account, you’ll find the option under Google Account settings → Personal Info → Email → Change Gmail address (similar to the current layout for changing account emails).

 Final Thoughts

For years, Gmail users have relied on workarounds — like forwarding to a new account or creating entirely new inboxes — just to update their email identity. This official feature finally gives users the flexibility they’ve been asking for, without sacrificing data or having to manage multiple accounts.

Whether for personal branding or just wanting a cleaner, simpler email address, this change could reshape how people manage Gmail accounts going forward.