Google has acknowledged that it is slowly introducing one of the most awaited features that will give users the ability to change their @gmail.com email addresses, a feature that used to be unavailable for Gmail users in general.

Up to this point, Google allowed email changes only for those users who created accounts with the help of a third-party email address, while @gmail.com accounts were practically frozen out from the process. Google’s own support documentation previously stated that Gmail addresses usually could not be changed.

That limitation now appears to be easing.

New Gmail Address Change Option

An updated Google support page mentions that the company is going to allow a process whereby users can change their @gmail.com addresses to new ones with different user names. Currently, the transition is reportedly a slow rollout with an increasing number of users being able to access the feature step by step.

Nevertheless, the revised support page has been detected only in Hindi until now which suggests that the functionality might have been released sooner than intended. The update was noticed first by members of the Google Pixel Hub Telegram group.

Google states that the email address associated with a Google Account is used for login and for recognizing the account across different services. Users will get a chance to change their email address but will still have the same access to their account.

What Happens When You Change Your Gmail Address?

Google says that once users switch to a new @gmail.com address:

• The previous Gmail address will be an alias associated with the account
• Messages directed to the old and new addresses will be delivered to one inbox
• All the present data, such as emails, photos, messages, and files, will stay the same
• Users can sign in using either the old or new address across Google services such as Gmail, YouTube, Maps, Drive, and Play Store
• The old address will remain reserved and cannot be claimed by another user

However, there are restrictions. Users cannot delete or change their Gmail address again for 12 months after making the switch. Additionally, while the old address can be reused later, users cannot create a brand-new Gmail account with that address during the one-year restriction period.

Each Google account will be allowed to change its @gmail.com address up to three times, meaning a total of four addresses can be associated with one account.

Minor Limitations Remain

Google notes that the updated email address may not immediately appear everywhere. In the case of some items like calendar events, the previous Gmail address might still be displayed if they were created prior to the change. Additionally, users will be able to send emails via the old address, which is still in operation, as an option.

Rollout Still in Progress

Google has made the complete procedure available in its support documentation; however, not all users can use the function at this time. The firm has stated that it is releasing the feature slowly, and it will be available to more users in the upcoming weeks.

When the function is active, the “My Account” settings page will allow users to modify their Gmail address.

Google has not officially announced it yet, but as the rollout increases, more information is likely to be released soon.