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Google Finally Lets Users Ditch Embarrassing Old Gmail AddressesAfter two decades of locking users into their original usernames,
Google is rolling out a long-awaited feature that allows people to change their primary @gmail.com email address without starting from scratch.The update, quietly detailed in a Google support document first spotted in Hindi, lets account holders swap their existing Gmail address for a new one that still ends in @gmail.com.
Importantly, nothing is lost in the process—your emails, photos, Drive files, YouTube history, and other data all stay put. The old address doesn't vanish either; it becomes an alias, meaning messages sent to it will still land in your inbox, and you can use it to sign in to Google services just like before.
This change addresses a common pain point for millions who signed up for Gmail in its early days and ended up with cringeworthy handles from their teenage years—think something overly edgy or fandom-inspired that doesn't quite fit a professional life now. Social media has been buzzing with relief, with users joking about finally escaping "two decades of suffering" from outdated choices.
To make the switch, head to your Google Account settings under Personal Info > Email. If the option appears (it's gradually rolling out, starting in regions like India), you'll see a prompt to enter a new available username. Google has built in safeguards: you can only change once every 12 months, with some reports suggesting a lifetime limit of three changes per account.
You can always revert to your original address if needed.While not everyone has access yet—the English support page still says @gmail
.com addresses "usually can't be changed"—the feature is expected to reach all users soon.
It's a subtle but significant shift for one of the internet's most enduring services, giving people more control over their digital identity without the hassle of migrating everything to a new account.
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