Google Will Allow Users to Change Gmail Address Without Losing Data

The start of a new year often inspires people to make changes, but one thing that has traditionally been difficult to alter is a Gmail address. Until now, users who wanted a new email name had little choice but to create an entirely new Google account, often leaving behind years of messages, files, and linked services. That long-standing limitation may soon be coming to an end.

Currently, most Google accounts are permanently tied to a Gmail address. While Google does allow users to switch their primary email to a non-Gmail provider, doing so typically requires deleting the existing Gmail address altogether—an impractical option for users with extensive data histories and active subscriptions connected to their account.

According to a recently discovered update in Google’s Hindi-language support documentation, the company is working on a new system that would allow users to change their Gmail address without losing emails or account data. The information was first reported by technology outlet 9to5Google. As of now, the feature has not yet been officially rolled out to the general public.

Based on the details outlined in the document, users will be able to choose a new Gmail address while retaining their existing account. The original email address will be converted into an alias, meaning users can continue to sign in using either the old or new address. All emails, files, settings, and linked services will remain intact, with no data loss during the transition. The feature is expected to roll out gradually to select users before a wider release.

However, the new system comes with strict limitations. Users will reportedly be allowed to change their Gmail address only once per year, with a lifetime cap of three changes per account. This means each change must be carefully considered, as unused opportunities cannot be recovered.

Despite these restrictions, the ability to rename a Gmail address without abandoning an established account marks a major shift in Google’s approach to account flexibility. While there is still no confirmed timeline for a global rollout, successful testing could see the feature become available to more users sometime in 2026.

For many long-time Gmail users, this update could finally provide a long-awaited way to refresh their digital identity—without starting over from scratch.

Source: Androidauthority