A long-standing Gmail limitation may finally be ending

Google appears to be rolling out one of the most requested Gmail features of the past decade: the ability to change a Gmail address without creating a new account or losing years of emails, files, and subscriptions.

According to updated guidance found on Google’s account support pages, users will soon be able to replace their existing @gmail.com address with a new one while keeping all associated data and services unchanged. The feature is currently being tested quietly, with documentation so far appearing only on Hindi-language support pages.

Early rollout hints point to India and select markets

The updated instructions are visible exclusively on Google’s Hindi help pages, suggesting the initial rollout may be focused on India or Hindi-speaking regions. The English-language support documentation still states that Gmail addresses generally cannot be changed, indicating that the feature is not yet globally enabled.

The Hindi page notes that the feature is being rolled out gradually, implying a phased deployment rather than a simultaneous global launch. Google has not confirmed a timeline or regional priority and has not issued a public announcement detailing availability.

How the new Gmail address change works

Under the new system, users can select a new Gmail address without disrupting their existing account. Crucially, the original email address does not disappear. Instead, it remains active as an alias.

Emails sent to the old address will continue to arrive in the same inbox, and users can still sign in to Google services such as Drive, Maps, Photos, and YouTube using the original address. This ensures continuity across third-party apps, subscriptions, and saved credentials.

Google confirms that all account data, including emails, photos, documents, messages, and purchase histories, remains fully intact after the address change.

A major improvement over the old workaround

Until now, users unhappy with their Gmail address had only one option: create an entirely new Google account. That process often involved manual data transfers, broken integrations, lost email history, and authentication issues with banking apps, productivity tools, and social platforms.

For users with accounts that are 10 or 15 years old, the friction and risk involved meant most simply lived with outdated or unprofessional email addresses. The new feature eliminates that pain point entirely.

Restrictions and limitations users should know

The updated guidance also outlines several guardrails. After changing a Gmail address, users cannot create another new Gmail address for 12 months. Additionally, the newly selected address cannot be deleted once chosen.

While users can continue using their original address as an alias indefinitely, Google does not currently allow reverting to the previous primary address once the change is completed.

These limitations suggest Google is aiming to prevent abuse, address squatting, or repeated identity changes that could complicate security and trust systems.

No official announcement, but strong signals

Google has not issued a formal press release or blog post announcing the feature. Reports indicate the change was first spotted by users and developers monitoring support documentation and community forums.

This quiet rollout strategy is consistent with Google’s approach to major account-level changes, which are often tested in limited regions before wider deployment. Given Gmail’s user base of more than 1.8 billion active users globally, even small changes require extensive validation.

Why this update matters

Allowing Gmail users to change their email address without starting over is a meaningful shift in how Google treats digital identity. As email addresses increasingly serve as permanent identifiers across financial services, work platforms, and personal communications, flexibility without data loss has become essential.

If rolled out globally, this update would remove one of Gmail’s longest-standing frustrations and bring the platform more in line with modern expectations around account portability and user control.

For now, users outside early rollout regions will have to wait. But all signs suggest a broader launch is no longer a question of if, but when.