A long awaited Gmail feature appears to be on the way and it could simplify life for millions of users.
Google has updated its support page to reveal that users will soon be able to change their gmail address without losing access to their account. The change allows users to modify the part of the email address before @gmail.com while keeping the same Google account, including contacts, Drive files, emails, photos, purchases, and subscriptions.
Until now, Google only allowed email changes for accounts linked to third party addresses. Users with gmail addresses had to delete their old account and create a new one if they wanted a different name. That restriction is now set to end.
According to the updated support page, the new feature is “gradually rolling out” and will be available through Google Account settings.
“If you’d like, you can change your Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com to a new email address that ends in gmail.com,” the page states.
Once a new address is selected, the old address will become an alias. Emails sent to the original address will still reach the inbox, and users can sign in using either the old or new Gmail address. Access to services like Gmail, Drive, YouTube, and Maps will remain unchanged.
Google has also outlined limits for this feature. Users can change their Gmail address once every 12 months and up to 3 times in total, allowing a maximum of 4 addresses per account. The original Gmail address will remain permanently linked to the account and cannot be claimed by anyone else.
The company cautioned that changing a address may cause issues with some Google services and features. Users of Chromebooks, Google Convenience sign in, and Remote Desktop may need to follow additional steps mentioned on the support page.
Google has advised users to back up their data and be aware that some app settings could reset after the change.
“It’s just like signing in on a new device,” the company noted.
The update marks a significant shift in account flexibility and is expected to roll out to users in phases.
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