Google Lets Gmail Users Change Addresses Without Data Loss

• Key takeaways:
• Google is rolling out the ability for Gmail users to change their @gmail.com address without losing data or services.
• Old addresses remain active and continue to receive mail; saved content (emails, photos, messages) is preserved.
• The feature is limited to accounts that end in @gmail.com and the new address must also end in @gmail.com.
• After changing, users generally cannot change their account email again for 12 months; rollout is gradual.

What Google is changing

Google now allows Gmail account holders to replace their existing @gmail.com email address while keeping all associated data and account services intact.

That means emails, contacts, photos and other saved content tied to the Google Account remain accessible after the swap.

How the switch works

When you change your Gmail address, your old address remains active so you continue to receive messages sent to either the old or new addresses.

Google says the move preserves the continuity of services linked to your account — calendars, Drive files, Photos, and third-party sign-ins remain connected to the same Google Account.

Limits and rollout

The capability is being rolled out gradually and is not yet available to every user. Google’s support documentation explains how to check if the option has reached your account.

Only accounts that currently end in @gmail.com can use the tool, and the replacement address must also end in @gmail.com. Google also imposes a 12-month restriction that typically prevents another address change on the same account within a year.

Why people care

Longtime Gmail users celebrated the move on social media. Many said the ability to retire embarrassing teen-era usernames is long overdue.

The change is also significant for people who have legally changed their names, including members of the transgender community, because it lets them distance their account identity from a former name without losing history or data.

How to check and change your address

To see if the option is available: open your Google Account, go to "Personal info," click your Gmail email address, and look for "Change your Google Account email address." If the option appears, follow the prompts to pick a new @gmail.com address.

Microsoft Outlook and other services have long offered alias or address-change features; Google’s update narrows that gap for Gmail users who wanted an easier way to refresh their online identity.

Bottom line

This is a practical, privacy- and usability-focused update that preserves user data while giving people more control over the address they present to contacts and services. Expect a phased rollout and a one-year limit between changes.