For years, Google has maintained a policy that restricts users from modifying their @gmail addresses upon creating a new account. This limitation has often left users frustrated, as the email address serves as a key identifier for accessing various Google services, including YouTube. However, recent developments suggest that Google may finally be changing this policy, as an official support document indicating the potential for changing email addresses has been discovered in the Google Pixel Hub Telegram group.
The support page currently exists only in Hindi, implying that the initial rollout may be limited to India. Nonetheless, Google has clearly stated that the option will become gradually available to users, suggesting a possibility of broader implementation in the future. This news has sparked excitement among users eager to overhaul their long-held email identities.
Competitors like Microsoft Outlook have long allowed users to change their email addresses or create aliases, which has been a sore spot for those loyal to Gmail. While Google Workspace users can add alternate email addresses, this is not the same as changing their primary Gmail address.
The document highlights an intriguing feature: users will retain access to their old email address even after switching to a new one. This means individuals could effectively manage two @gmail addresses under a single account, a significant improvement over the previous requirement of creating a new account for a secondary email. Both email addresses will receive messages, and existing data, such as files in Google Drive or photos in Google Photos, will remain intact after the transition.
However, Google warns that users who switch their email addresses will be unable to change it again for the next 12 months. As promising as these changes sound, it is important to note that Google has not officially announced this feature yet, so users should remain cautious as the rollout progresses.
For those curious about whether they can access this new feature at the moment, they can check their settings by visiting my.account.google.com/google-account-email on a computer or mobile device. Under “Personal Information,” they should look for the option to “Change email address for your Google Account.”
The introduction of this feature could revolutionize how users manage their online identities, providing much-needed flexibility in an increasingly digital world. For now, staying informed through platforms like Google News will ensure that users are updated on this and other exciting changes from Google.