Google has begun introducing a new capability that allows users in the United States to update their Gmail address without creating a new account or losing access to their existing data. The company confirmed on Tuesday that this feature is being rolled out gradually, giving users more control over their account identity while preserving their information.
Those who have access to the feature can initiate the change directly from their account settings. To do this, users need to open their Google Account, go to Personal info, then navigate to the Email section, and select the Google Account email option. From there, they can tap on the “Change Google Account email” button to begin updating their username.
There are some limitations tied to how often this change can be made. Users are allowed to modify their Gmail username only once within 12 months. In addition, once a new email address is selected, it cannot be removed or altered again during that same timeframe, ensuring stability in account identity.
The company also clarified that existing data will remain unaffected by the change. All previous emails will be retained, and the older email address will continue to function as an alternate address linked to the account. This means users can still sign in to Google services using either the original email or the newly selected one.
Interestingly, this feature was previously observed during rollout phases in certain Hindi-speaking regions. The publication 9to5Google had earlier identified a Hindi-language support page outlining the process for changing a Gmail username, indicating that testing had already been underway before the wider U.S. release.
According to Google’s official support, the rollout is happening in stages, so not all users will see the option immediately. Access will expand over time as the feature becomes more broadly available.
