Gmail Lets You Change @gmail.com Address — Keep Data

• Key Takeaways:
• Google has quietly started rolling out a feature that lets some users change their @gmail.com address while preserving emails and connected services.
• Linked services such as Google Drive and YouTube can remain attached to the account after the address change.
• The feature is in a gradual roll-out; Google has not published full instructions or availability details.

What happened

Google has begun a limited rollout of a long-requested capability: the ability to change an @gmail.com address without severing the account’s existing data and service links. The move was reported by The New York Times and highlighted by other outlets on Dec. 28, 2025.

Why this is new

For more than 20 years Gmail users who wanted a new username generally had to create a new account or lose the seamless connection between their email address and services such as Google Drive, YouTube and other products tied to Google Accounts.

The new feature preserves those connections, allowing the account owner to adopt a different @gmail.com address while keeping emails, files and service histories intact.

Who benefits

Individuals who are rebranding, changing their name, or want a cleaner or more professional address stand to gain the most. Small businesses and creators who use a personal Gmail address across Google services may also find the change easier than migrating data to a new account.

What Google has said (and not said)

Google has not released a broad help article or detailed rollout timeline. Early reporting described the launch as a quiet, gradual roll-out to a subset of users rather than an immediate, global change.

That means availability will vary by account and region; users should expect a staged rollout typical of Google’s product launches.

How to check and prepare

Google hasn’t published step-by-step instructions yet. If you want to be ready, review your Google Account’s contact and recovery settings and ensure your account is secured with a strong password and two-factor authentication.

Practical tips

Before attempting any address change, back up critical emails and files. Use Google Takeout to export data for extra safety and verify recovery contacts and secondary emails are up to date.

What to watch next

Expect Google to publish documentation and rollout details if the change expands. Watch official Google Workspace and Gmail support pages, and check the Google Account settings menu for any new "change email" options appearing in the coming weeks.