Google has begun rolling out a new feature that allows users to change their Gmail address without needing to create a new account.
The update, currently available to users in the United States, marks a major shift from Google’s long-standing policy, which treated email addresses as permanent.
With the new feature, users can now modify the username part of their email directly from their account settings while keeping all their existing data.
This includes emails, contacts, Google Drive files, YouTube activity, and access to other linked services.
Previously, anyone who wanted a different Gmail address had to open an entirely new account and start afresh.
Under the new system, the old email address will not disappear. Instead, it will remain active as an alternate address, meaning users can still receive messages sent to both their old and new email IDs.
However, the feature comes with some restrictions.
Users can only change their Gmail address once every 12 months, and the new username must be unique and not already in use.
Google said the update is in response to one of the most common user requests, especially from people looking to replace old or unprofessional email names created years ago.
Despite the convenience, experts have raised concerns about potential security risks.
According to reports, cybercriminals could take advantage of the change to carry out phishing attacks by confusing users with updated email identities.
To stay safe, users are advised to enable additional security measures such as two-factor authentication, run regular security checks, and consider using passkeys instead of traditional passwords.
Google also assured users that the update will not affect their account data, noting that everything will remain intact after the change.
