Google to Allow Users to Change @gmail.com Email Addresses for the First Time

Google is introducing a significant update to its long-standing policy that previously restricted users with a “@gmail.com” address from changing their account email. Until now, Google allowed this change only for accounts using third-party email addresses, while clearly stating that Gmail addresses usually could not be modified. This policy is now being revised, with details of the new process appearing on an updated Google support page and the feature gradually rolling out to users.

Under the new functionality, Google Account holders will be able to change the “@gmail.com” email address linked to their account to a new Gmail address with a different username. This email address is used for signing in to Google services and for account identification. Although Google has not shared extensive technical details, it has confirmed that the feature is becoming available to all users over time. When a Gmail address is changed, the original email address will remain active as an alias, meaning emails sent to both the old and new addresses will arrive in the same inbox, and either address can be used to sign in. Importantly, account credentials will remain unchanged.

Google has clarified that data stored in the account, including emails, photos, messages, and other content associated with the old email address, will not be affected by the change. Users will also be able to reuse their old Google Account email address in the future, but they will not be allowed to create a new Gmail address for another account for the next 12 months. During this same period, the newly selected email address cannot be deleted. Users can continue accessing services such as Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Google Play, and Google Drive using either the old or new email address. However, there are limits, as each Google Account can modify its Gmail address up to three times, allowing a total of four different Gmail addresses over the lifetime of the account.