Key Points
- Google is quietly testing a long-requested Gmail feature that lets users change their email address without losing data
- The guidance confirming the feature currently appears only on Hindi Google support pages
- Old Gmail addresses will stay active and continue receiving emails as aliases
Google may be delivering a late Christmas gift to millions of Gmail users still stuck with the cringeworthy address they created years ago.
According to newly updated guidance on Google’s support pages, users will soon be able to change their @gmail.com address to a new one without losing their data, emails, or access to services. That means no more creating entirely new accounts or going through messy manual transfers.
However, there’s a catch: the updated instructions currently appear only on Google’s Hindi support pages, suggesting the feature is either being tested first in India or gradually rolling out in Hindi-speaking regions before expanding globally.
The page notes that the update is part of a gradual rollout, hinting that worldwide access is forthcoming — but it could take some time. Meanwhile, the English help page still says Gmail addresses “usually cannot be changed.” Google has not yet commented publicly or confirmed launch timing for different regions.
Your Old Gmail Won’t Disappear
Under the new policy, anyone who updates their Gmail will automatically keep their original email as an alias. That means:
- Emails sent to the old address will continue to land in your inbox
- The old address will still work to sign in to Google services like Drive, YouTube, and Maps
- All photos, emails, files, and account data remain unchanged
Previously, the only way to get a new Gmail handle was to open a brand-new account and manually transfer everything. This frustrating process often broke logins and third-party app connections.
But There Are Limits
Google’s guidance also mentions some restrictions:
- Users who change their Gmail address won’t be able to create another new Gmail address for 12 months
- The new address cannot be deleted after switching
- Users reportedly can switch back to their old address if they want
For now, Google hasn’t made an official announcement. The discovery appears to have first surfaced through tech forums and user communities.
If and when this rolls out globally, it could be one of Gmail’s biggest quality-of-life upgrades in years — and a relief for anyone still living with a teenage email identity.
