Overview
- Google, which announced Tuesday that U.S. accounts can change the part before @gmail.com, is still rolling the option out so some users may not see it yet.
- When you switch, your old Gmail address stays linked as an alias so you can keep getting mail there and you can still sign in or send from either address.
- Google limits changes to once every 12 months with reports of up to three total changes allowed, and prior usernames remain tied to your account to curb impersonation.
- Google warns the change can disrupt logins on Chromebooks, Sign in with Google, and Chrome Remote Desktop, and it advises backing up data and updating connected apps.
- Security experts report phishing emails piggybacking on the news, and Google urges users to turn on 2‑step verification and adopt passkeys to protect accounts.