Google Rolls Out Feature to Change Gmail Addresses Without Losing Data

Google has started gradually rolling out a new feature that lets users change their primary @gmail.com email address to a different available username while keeping all existing data and services intact.

The biggest update, first detected in the Hindi version of Google's account support page, allows the old address to remain as an alias for receiving emails and signing into accounts.

Users can make the change through their Google Account settings under personal info and email, selecting a new available Gmail address without deleting the current account.

Emails sent to the previous address will continue arriving in the inbox, and sign-ins to services such as Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, Maps and Play will work with either the old or new address.

Data including photos, messages, subscriptions, calendar events and purchase history will transfer without interruption.

The feature limits changes to once every 12 months, with a maximum of three new addresses per account over its lifetime, resulting in up to four total Gmail addresses.

The old address cannot be deleted and remains tied to the account, preventing others from claiming it.

Google's support document states:

“The ability to change your Google Account email address is gradually rolling out to all users, so this option may not be available to you right now.”

The rollout appears to have begun in Hindi-speaking regions only, as the English-language support page still indicates that @gmail.com addresses usually cannot be changed.

Google has not provided a specific timeline for when the option will reach all users globally.

The company warns that the old Gmail address may not immediately update in all instances, such as older calendar events created before the change.