Google has begun a quiet test that could change a two-decade-old habit, allowing users to change their Gmail address without opening a new account. The new feature was accidentally revealed on a support page, is not yet active for everyone, but if officially launched, it will affect hundreds of millions of users worldwide. This has been one of the oldest requests from Gmail users, especially those who opened an account at a young age or before realizing how much the address would become their digital identity. Google clarifies that this is a gradual and quiet rollout, but the details already published outline a significant policy change.
The quiet revolution in personal email: After years of refusal, Google signals a dramatic policy change. Users will be able to choose a new Gmail address without losing data or access to services. The old address will not disappear but will become an active alias. The feature is still in testing, yet it is already generating massive interest online.
For many years, Gmail was considered a permanent identity for almost a lifetime. Users could change their password, display name, and even an external email address, but anyone who opened a gmail.com account had to keep it. Google previously explained that this was not possible and directed users to open a new account, a solution many found cumbersome and problematic. Now, it seems the approach is changing.
A Google support page featured a detailed description of a new process that allows changing an existing Gmail address to another Gmail address, with a new username. The page was initially displayed only in Hindi, raising suspicion that it was an early, unplanned publication. According to the description, the feature is being rolled out gradually and is not yet available to all users.
According to Google, a user who chooses to change their Gmail address will not lose anything. All existing account data, including emails, Drive files, photos, messages, and usage history, will remain unchanged. The old address will become an alias and will continue to function. This means that any email sent to the old or new address will arrive in the same inbox. Signing in to Google services will also be possible with both addresses.
However, Google imposes a series of restrictions: After changing the address, it cannot be changed or deleted for 12 months. During this year, it will also not be possible to open a new Gmail account with the old address. The original address will remain the exclusive property of the user and will not be transferred to anyone else.
The document also states that each account will be able to make up to three changes, meaning a total of four different Gmail addresses can be connected to the same account. This is an important detail for anyone considering frequent changes or experimenting with different addresses.
Google also clarifies that the change will not update everywhere immediately. Calendar events created before the change, for example, may still display the old address. Sending emails from the old address will also continue to be possible, allowing the user to maintain full control over their digital identity.
The online community has already reacted with enthusiasm. Veteran users noted that many opened Gmail accounts in the early 2000s, often with childish or temporary names, without realizing the address would serve them for work, banking, government services, and social networks. Others mentioned name changes, marriage, or gender transition as key reasons for wanting a new address.
Currently, the feature is still not active and cannot be found in account settings. Google notes that once the service is launched, the change can be made through the My Account area. It is estimated that the company will issue an official announcement in the coming weeks, unless it decides to postpone or limit the test.
If fully implemented, this will be one of the most significant changes Google has made to Gmail since its launch—a change that recognizes that an email address is not just a communication tool but a central part of a user’s digital identity.