Google now lets users change their Gmail addresses: Here’s how it works

Google has announced a long-anticipated update that allows users to modify their Gmail addresses. Currently, this feature is being rolled out to users in the United States, giving them the opportunity to change the part of their email address that appears before the '@gmail.com' domain. This change will be reflected across various Google services, including Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Photos, and Google Drive, among others. Importantly, even after changing their email address, users will still retain ownership of their original email accounts. Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, emphasized this significant update in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "2004 was a good year, but your Gmail address doesn't need to be stuck in it." This reflects a playful acknowledgment of the nostalgia tied to older email addresses. To make the switch from an outdated username like v0t3f0rp3dr02004@gmail.com or mrbrightside416@gmail.com, users can follow these simple steps: First, navigate to the Google Account settings and select 'Personal Info'. Next, click on 'Email' followed by 'Google Account Email'. If the feature is available, users will see the option to 'Change Google Account Email'. Then, they can choose a new username that precedes '@gmail.com'. This new functionality allows users to transition to a preferred Gmail address while still being able to log in and communicate using both the old and new addresses. Google has set a limit on this feature, permitting users to change their email address once per year, with a maximum of three changes. The company reassures users that they will not lose any emails or data during this process, and they also have the option to revert to their previous email addresses if desired. Currently, this feature is exclusive to U.S. users, with no timeline yet established for its global rollout.