Google is introducing a long-awaited update that will let users replace their existing @gmail.com address with a new one while keeping all their messages, files, and account access intact. Until now, Gmail users have been unable to change the address they chose at signup without creating a separate account and transferring data manually.

Under the new system, once you change your Gmail address, your old address automatically becomes an alias that continues to deliver email to the same inbox. You will be able to sign in to your Google Account and associated services like Gmail, YouTube, Drive, and Maps using either the old or new address. All your saved data, including emails and photos, will remain untouched during the switch.

The feature is currently rolling out gradually and is not yet available to everyone. Updated support documentation appearing in select regions suggests the initial rollout may be limited before expanding worldwide. Google has not yet issued a formal global announcement detailing full availability or timing.

There are some practical limits to how the feature works. Users may only create up to three new addresses in total, and once an address is changed, another change cannot be made for at least 12 months. At any point, users can revert to their old address if they decide the new one is not the right fit.

The change represents a major shift in Gmail’s longstanding policy. For years, Google only allowed users to change linked secondary or recovery emails, not the primary Gmail address itself. Now, users who have long regretted professional, outdated, or embarrassing email handles can finally update their address without losing access to years of account history.