Google has widely rolled out a feature allowing US-based Google Account users to change their Gmail username without losing data, adding the old username as an alternate address. One change is permitted per year, following initial reports of the feature earlier.
Building on initial reports from late 2025 about a support page hinting at Gmail address changes, Google began widely deploying the feature on March 31, 2026—coinciding with Gmail's 22nd anniversary on April 1. Previously tested for months, it enables US users to update the part of their address before @gmail.com directly in account settings: navigate to Personal Info > Email > 'Change Google Account email.'
The rollout is gradual, so the option may not appear immediately; Google advises waiting if unavailable. Changes are limited to once every 12 months, likely to curb spam. All data—emails, photos, Drive files—remains intact. Emails to the old username continue arriving, and login works with either. The new username becomes primary for services like Gmail, Maps, YouTube, and Play, though some third-party apps may lag.
The old username persists as an alternate for reversion, though managing multiples is unclear. Chromebook users should log out/in post-change, back up files, and reconfigure Remote Desktop. Google did not comment.
