For years, Google has enforced a restriction on changing the @gmail addresses it hands out when signing up for a new account. Apart from email, that’s the address you use to log into any Google service, like YouTube, so many of us have been stuck with old identities we’d like to move on from. Fortunately, this convenience appears to be within reach, as the Google Pixel Hub Telegram group has spotted an official Google support document outlining the feature.

The support page is only in Hindi, suggesting that the rollout is limited to India for now. Even then, Google clearly states that users will gradually begin to see this option, indicating that global adoption is still some way off. Still, we’re looking at official info here, not a leaked excerpt, so Gmail truthers can rejoice.

For context, competing providers, such as Microsoft Outlook, allow you to change your email address and offer “aliases,” which are commonplace today. You can add alternate email addresses under a Google Workspace account, but that’s a different thing entirely, as it’s a managed service.

Google just unveiled a Christmas gift for Gmail users who are still stuck with their embarrassing email addresses from high school.
In a long-requested change, account holders can now replace their existing @gmail.com address with a new one while retaining all data and services, according to an update to Google’s account help page.

However, the updated guidance on email address changes appears only in the Hindi version of Google’s support page, suggesting the rollout may begin in India or Hindi-speaking markets.

The support page said the feature is gradually rolling out to all users, suggesting full global adoption is coming, but could take some time.

The English-language page retains prior guidance stating that @gmail.com addresses “usually cannot be changed.” Google did not immediately respond to CNBC’s inquiry about which regions would be the first to receive the feature. 

Under the new policy, users who change their address will automatically keep their original address as an alias. Emails sent to the old address will continue to arrive in the inbox, and the original address will still work for signing in to Google services like Drive, Maps and YouTube. 

Previously, users seeking a new Gmail address had to create a new account and transfer their data manually through a complicated and fraught process that could disrupt integrations with third-party apps.

Google said existing data, including photos, messages and emails would remain unchanged after an address update. Users can also reuse the old Google account email address at any time, according to a Google translation of the support page in Hindi.

However, accounts that change their Gmail address won’t be able to create another new Gmail address for the next 12 months and cannot delete the new chosen address. 

Google has not issued a formal press release or announcement about the change, which was reportedly first discovered within user forums and tech communities.

Google has finally answered users’ cries, allowing Gmail users to swap out embarrassing teenage email addresses.
Gmail account holders can now change their existing @gmail.com address while retaining their data and services.
Once changed, old email addresses will remain active, and users will continue to receive emails sent to both the old and new addresses.

Saved data connected to earlier addresses, including photos, messages and emails, will not be affected.
The ability to change Google Account email addresses is gradually rolling out to all users, and is not immediately available to everyone, Google noted on its support page.
Gmail users who want to switch to more anonymous email addresses or felt burdened by the email addresses they chose as kids celebrated the update on social media.

“Feature needed: 2005. Feature arriving: 2025. Gap: two decades of suffering,” one user posted on X.

“So all those years of ‘cool’ usernames and cringe emails can be erased… shame it can’t delete the memories associated with them,” another X user posted.

“Nah I’m keeping StonerBeast42069 forever!!” one Reddit user quipped.

Members of the transgender community and others who have changed their names were also happy as the new options let them distance themselves from their former names.

Competing services such as Microsoft Outlook have long allowed users to easily change their primary address by adding an “alias.”

Google only allows accounts that end in @gmail.com to make changes, and the new address must also end in @gmail.com.

While users can reuse their old Google Account email address anytime, once changed, they cannot register another email address for the same account for the next 12 months. Users interested in changing their emails under the new system need to confirm that it has been rolled out for their account.

In their Gmail account, users can click “Manage Your Google Account.” Under “Personal Info,” they can click on their Gmail account email address. If the option is available in their region, they can proceed by clicking on the “Change your Google Account email address” option.

This content is for informational purposes only. Features, availability, and functionality may vary by region and user account. Google may update, modify, or discontinue features at any time without prior notice. Readers are advised to check official Google announcements for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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