Google has rolled out a major update that will allow users to change their main @gmail.com address. This much-needed feature is being rolled out starting January 2026. Before this update, Gmail users were stuck with their original username for the entire life of the account, which resulted in users making new accounts so that they could have a fresh start. This update will resolve issues such as choosing the wrong or outdated email addresses set up by users or their families earlier in life.
The feature makes the former address an alias, hence maintaining continuity without losing data. Emails sent to either the former or new addresses will still land in the same inbox, and all account information, including pictures, messages, and Drive files, will be maintained. Devices that were authenticated using the former address do not need to log out, as both addresses are associated with the same Google account for services such as YouTube, Maps, and Play Store.
The feature can be accessed through myaccount.google.com/google-account-email. The steps include Personal info > Email > Google Account email, and then choose the change option when it is available. The users will enter a new available username, and then the steps are completed through email confirmation. If the option is not available, then the rollout has not yet been implemented in that account, and initial reports came from Hindi support pages, indicating a global rollout.
It has built-in protections against abuse, such that when you change your address, you cannot change or modify it again for a period of one year. Yet even when you have changed your address, your old pseudonym is available for all life if you want to log back into your accounts or send emails, but you cannot keep alternating names all the time.
For the cybersecurity expert and the creator, the upgrade enhances their level of privacy because it eliminates old handles that are linked to a personal history and does not transfer any data. It is also a good improvement because it eliminates the risks associated with old emails that appear on breaches. As 2026 progresses and the feature is fully deployed, one should monitor the support pages provided by Google.