Google may soon let you fix your Gmail usernames: Here’s how the change will work

By Admin

26 Dec, 2025

Introduction
Google is testing a long-awaited feature that could finally solve a common frustration for Gmail users   being stuck with an old or unprofessional email address forever. The new update will allow eligible users to change their existing Gmail username while keeping the same Google account, data, and services intact.

What the New Gmail Username Change Means
With this update, users will be able to replace their current @gmail.com email address with a new @gmail.com username without creating a new account. The same Google account profile will remain active, including access to Google Drive, Photos, YouTube, Play Store, and other Google services. Importantly, account history, purchases, subscriptions, and stored data will not be affected.

According to Google’s support information, this change happens within the same account, making it a seamless transition rather than a fresh setup.

Who Is Eligible for This Feature
The feature is limited to users whose primary email address ends with @gmail.com. Accounts using custom domains, as well as work or school Google accounts, are not eligible. The new email address chosen must also end with @gmail.com, keeping everything within the same Gmail ecosystem.

How the Gmail Username Change Works
Google is rolling out this feature in phases. Users can check availability by going to Google Account settings, selecting Personal info, and then Email. If the option to change the Gmail address appears, the account supports the update.

Once the change is completed, emails sent to both the old and new Gmail addresses will arrive in the same inbox. Users will be able to sign in using either address, while the old email will be stored as a recovery email for added security.

Limits, Rules, and Important Conditions
To prevent misuse, Google has introduced several restrictions. After changing a Gmail username, users must wait 12 months before making another change. During this period, they can switch back to the original address if required. The old Gmail username cannot be used to create a new Google account during that year, as it remains linked to the existing account.

Each Google account can change its Gmail address up to three times, allowing a total of four Gmail usernames over the lifetime of the account. Some older services, such as past Google Calendar events, may continue displaying the old email address for a while. However, the old address will always remain owned by the user and cannot be claimed by anyone else.

Why This Update Matters
This feature is a major step forward for users who created Gmail accounts years ago and now want a more professional or relevant email address. By allowing username changes without data loss or account migration, Google is offering greater flexibility while maintaining security and continuity across its services.

As the rollout continues, more users are expected to gain access, making this one of the most practical Gmail updates in recent years.