Google is set to introduce a long awaited feature that will allow users to change their Gmail addresses without losing access to their existing emails, files, and Google services.
According to reports first spotted by the Google Pixel Hub group on Telegram and later confirmed by technology website 9to5Google, a Hindi version of the Gmail support page indicates that Google is gradually rolling out the option to change the email address linked to a Google account. This includes switching from an existing Gmail address to a new one that also ends with gmail.com.
The report notes that users who make the change will still retain access to their old Gmail address, which will function as an alias. This means users can continue to receive emails sent to the old address and sign in to Google services using either the old or the new Gmail address.
However, Google states that users who change their Gmail address will not be able to create another new Gmail address linked to the same account for a period of twelve months.
As of Sunday afternoon, the English version of Google’s support website still maintained that Gmail addresses ending with at gmail dot com usually cannot be changed. Instead, it advises users to modify the name associated with the address or create a new account and manually transfer emails and contacts.
The update, once fully rolled out, is expected to offer relief to users who feel uncomfortable or dissatisfied with their current Gmail addresses, while preserving their digital history and account continuity.