Google is preparing to roll out a long-awaited feature that could change how millions of people use Gmail: the ability to change your Gmail address without losing access to your existing emails, files, or Google services.
The update, first spotted by users in the Google Pixel Hub Telegram group and reported by 9to5Google, appeared on a Hindi version of Google’s Gmail support page. According to the page, Google is “gradually rolling out to all users” the option to change the email address linked to a Google account, including switching from one @gmail.com address to a new @gmail.com address.
If fully implemented, the move would mark a major shift in Google’s long-standing policy, which has traditionally treated Gmail addresses as permanent identifiers that cannot be altered once created.
How the Gmail address change will work
Under the new system, users will be able to update their primary Gmail address while keeping their old one active as an alias. This means emails sent to the old address will still reach the same inbox, and users will be able to sign in to Google services using either the old or new email address.
Crucially, this change will not affect existing emails, Google Drive files, contacts, subscriptions, or account data. Everything associated with the account remains intact, removing the need for users to open a new account and manually migrate years of data.
However, there is a limitation. Once a user changes their Gmail address, they will not be allowed to create another new Gmail address tied to the same account for 12 months. This appears to be Google’s way of preventing abuse of the feature or frequent address switching.
Why this matters for users
For many people, their Gmail address is something they created years ago, often without much thought. Addresses made during school years, early internet use, or casual sign-ups have followed users into professional and business contexts, sometimes becoming a source of embarrassment or inconvenience.
Until now, the only real option was to create a new Gmail account and forward emails or manually move contacts and files. This process is time-consuming and often impractical, especially for users deeply embedded in Google’s ecosystem across work, personal life, and third-party services.
What Google currently says
As of now, the English-language version of Google’s Gmail support page still says that Gmail addresses usually cannot be changed. It instead recommends changing the display name associated with an email address or creating a new Gmail account and transferring data.
The discrepancy between the Hindi and English support pages suggests that the feature is still in testing or early rollout, and not yet officially announced for all regions. Google has not made a public statement confirming a global launch timeline.
This phased approach is consistent with how Google typically introduces major account-level changes, often testing them quietly in select markets before expanding availability.
What users should expect next
If Google proceeds with a wider rollout, users can expect clear in-product prompts or updates to the Gmail and Google Account settings pages. The company will also likely update its official support documentation across languages once the feature becomes broadly available.
For now, users who see the option should proceed carefully, ensuring they understand the alias behaviour and the 12-month restriction on creating new addresses.
A small change with big implications
While changing an email address may seem like a minor update, it reflects a broader shift in how digital identities are managed. As email addresses increasingly function as permanent online IDs for banking, work tools, subscriptions, and social platforms, flexibility becomes essential.
If Google follows through, this update could set a new standard for email providers and finally give users control over an identity detail that has, until now, been locked in place.
For millions of Gmail users, especially professionals and business owners, the ability to clean up or modernize their email address—without starting over—could be one of the most practical Gmail improvements in years.
