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Google Begins Rolling Out Option to Change @gmail.com Usernames

The company describes a phased rollout that preserves sign-in plus mail delivery via an alias.

Overview

  • Google detailed the capability on a support page and says the feature is gradually rolling out, with the documentation first appearing in Hindi and spotted via a Pixel-focused Telegram group.
  • Users can switch to a new @gmail.com address while the old address becomes an alias, allowing sign-in with either address and continued delivery of messages sent to both.
  • Account data and access remain intact after the change, and the previous address stays tied to the account so it cannot be claimed by someone else.
  • Each account can make up to three changes in total, and for 12 months after a change users cannot delete or alter the new address or create a new @gmail.com account using the old address.
  • Google notes temporary display inconsistencies during the transition, such as older Calendar events showing the previous address, and users can still send email from the old address.