Google has begun rolling out a long-awaited feature allowing users to update their Gmail username, enabling people to replace outdated or embarrassing email addresses while keeping their accounts intact.
According to reports, the update lets users change the part of their email address that appears before “@gmail.com”. This means users are now able to refresh their identity on the platform without having to create a completely new account.
Importantly, Google has confirmed that the original email address will not be removed. Instead, it will remain linked to the account as an alternate address, ensuring that any messages sent to the old email will still reach the inbox.
However, the company has imposed certain limitations. Users are only allowed to change their Gmail username once every 12 months, and the newly chosen address cannot be reused to create another Google account in future.
The feature, which initially began rolling out last year, is now available to all Google Account users in the United States. It is expected to be particularly useful for individuals rebranding themselves or updating their email following personal changes such as a name update.
To use the feature, users can access their Google Account settings via the Gmail app and navigate to the “Personal info” section, where the email modification option will appear if eligible.
Google has also reminded users that they may need to update their login details across third-party apps and websites after changing their email address, as the new username will replace the original for sign-in purposes.
