Dislike your Gmail ID? You can change it now
What's the story
Google is finally giving its users the option to change their primary Gmail address. The update was confirmed by CEO Sundar Pichai in a post on X. He said, "2004 was a good year, but your Gmail address doesn't need to be stuck in it." The feature will allow users to switch to a new Gmail address without losing any existing data such as emails, Drive files, photos and other linked services.
Data preservation
Linking old and new email IDs
The new feature from Google will let users change their primary Gmail address while keeping their old one linked to the account as an alternate address. This way, they can still receive emails sent to the old ID and use it for signing in. However, it's worth noting that this update is a gradual rollout and may not be available for all users immediately.
User precautions
Things to consider before switching
Google has warned that the change may cause minor disruptions in services like "Sign in with Google" and Chrome sync. The company has advised users to back up important data as a precaution. Even though users can switch back to their previous email ID, they won't be able to use that address for creating a new Gmail account for up to 12 months.
Username update
How to change your Gmail username
The new feature from Google applies to the username portion of the email ID, which is also used as a sign-in credential across multiple Google services. This way, users can update outdated or less relevant usernames without losing access to their data or connected services. To change their Gmail username, users have to navigate through the personal information section and look for email or username settings on their Google Account settings page.