Gmail is Finally Letting You Change Your Address

Article Summary

• Your account stays exactly the same: All of your emails, Google Drive files, photos, and calendars are still going to be there. The only thing that changes is your email address if you do decide to change it.
• The rollout is slow: This means that not everyone can use it just yet, and Google is adding the feature in stages throughout the year.
• Your old Gmail address still works: In some cases, it becomes an alternate address. This means emails sent to it can still reach you.
• Changes are sadly limited: You could be limited to changing your address only once a year, which helps prevent frequent switching.
• Security is still important: After you change your address, make sure to update your login credentials, review your passwords, and enable two-factor authentication to keep everything safe.

Your email address has been one of those choices you couldn’t change for a surprisingly long time, and at My Computer Works, we’ve seen how often that makes people angry.

An email address may seem insignificant, but it can be found on resumes, receipts for online purchases, and more. Many people created Gmail accounts in a rush or without thinking it through, not realizing they were creating a permanent digital name tag.

Fortunately, the news that Google is now allowing name changes has many rejoicing. In today’s blog, we’re exploring how to go about embracing a Google email address change. You’ll learn what you need to do, the limitations, and what not to forget.

Do You Have Gmail Regrets? Now, Some Can Finally Change Their Email Address

Gmail users had to make a tough choice until recently. You had to either keep using an email address that no longer fit you or open a new account and learn to manage multiple inboxes. For most people, the answer was to split conversations across two or more accounts.

This meant most have to chase down emails that went to the wrong place, but this scenario is a thing of the past. Now, you can just change your Gmail address without disrupting your workflow or losing your old personal emails. Your account and data stay the same; the only change will be your outward-facing email address. However, the main caveat is that there may be an annual limit, allowing you to change your address only once a year.

When Is Google Rolling Out Changes

This address change update from Google is coming in stages.

Some people can already use it, but others will have to wait a little longer, as they may be part of the wider Gmail address change rollout. It might not seem fair, but this is Google’s usual protocol when it comes to big changes.

If you want to check if you have access to this new feature change, you can:

• Open the settings for your Google Account.
• Go to Personal Info.
• Then click Email to see if it’s available to you.
  

You can go ahead if the option is there. If not, your account doesn’t quite have access yet. However, this could work in your favor, since any kinks that need to be worked out can be addressed well before you can change your Gmail address.

Where Does the Old Gmail Go

We understand that you likely feel nervous about changing your email address, and this reaction is completely normal. After all, if you’re anything like the rest of us, you’ve silently been wishing for the opportunity to start afresh if you created your email address when you were younger.

Fortunately, it’s not as difficult as you may imagine to change a Gmail address for those who are eligible now that this option is becoming available. However, where does the old Gmail account go? Well…the answer is tricky. 

For some, the old address could become an alternate email. This means that for these people, they will still likely receive messages for a period of time. If you fall into this category down the line, you can update subscriptions, logins, and contacts without missing any important emails.

For others, this forwarding isn’t available or won’t be available forever. It’s highly likely that Google will limit how long an old address will continue to receive mail. That’s why it’s better to treat this old address as temporary backup access and have your ducks in a row before you switch to a new Gmail address.

Here’s How to Change Your Gmail Address

If your account has this ‘address change’ feature enabled, the process is fairly easy and follows the same basic steps outlined in most guides on how to change your Gmail address:

• You’ll head to Personal Info in your Google Account.
• Then select Email.
• After selecting Email, follow the prompts to choose and confirm your new address.

If this seems like a daunting task, Google provides clear, step-by-step instructions to walk you through the process, but we can also help at My Computer Works. With our help, we’ll ensure you don’t pick an email address that may not work in the future. We know how to help you choose a practical Gmail address that holds up better over time.

Don’t Forget to Change Your Account Logins When Updating Your Gmail Address

Account logins are likely linked to your current Gmail account. So if you don’t link these to your new address, you may encounter many issues. For instance, password resets, banking approvals, security alerts, and even billing notices could be sent to your old address rather than your recently updated one.

So, when you know if you’re going to change your Gmail address, do yourself a solid and update the account details that matter the most. And while you’re at it, why not enable two-factor authentication and update your recovery email, phone number, and passwords, too? You’re already in this interface, so it wouldn’t hurt to make sure everything ties out.

The Wrap-Up on Changing Your Gmail Address

Google may not be allowing everyone to change their addresses just yet, and it may not be something you can do often, but it’s worth knowing about. If you get the opportunity to change yours and want to, we hope the tips we shared today give you a place to start. However, if you ever get stuck or just want a helping hand, the My Computer Works PC help center is here to guide you through the process, so it feels stress-free and far less of a hassle.