Google is gradually introducing a feature that allows users to change their primary @gmail.com email address, according to a support page in Hindi. The old address will remain active as an alias, preserving all account data. This marks a shift from previous restrictions on modifying Gmail addresses.
Google has long restricted changes to @gmail.com addresses, permitting modifications only for non-Gmail domains. However, a support page in Hindi indicates that the ability to update a Google Account email address is "gradually rolling out to all users." This feature enables users to replace their current @gmail.com handle with a new one, while the original address functions as an alias, ensuring continuity for incoming emails and full retention of data such as emails, contacts, and settings.
The development was first spotted on a Google Pixel forum via Telegram and reported by 9to5Google. No formal announcement has come from Google, and the English version of the support page still states that such changes are typically not possible for @gmail.com addresses. Engadget has contacted Google for confirmation but has not received a response as of publication.
To access the option once available, users should sign into their Google Account, navigate to "Manage your Google account," then select "Personal info" and "Google Account email." If the change feature is not visible, it means the rollout has not yet reached that account.
This update addresses a common user request, offering more flexibility in managing digital identities without losing historical data. The gradual rollout suggests Google is testing the feature's stability across its vast user base before full implementation.
