Gmail users could soon see one of the most requested features finally becoming a reality. Google appears to be preparing a major update that may allow users to change their “@gmail.com” email address, something that has traditionally been permanent since the day an account was created. While Google has long allowed users with non-Gmail login emails to update their address, those using a Gmail ID have largely been locked in, until now. Interestingly, early signs suggest that India could be among the first regions to see this feature roll out.
Clues about the upcoming change were spotted on an official Google support page describing a new, gradually rolling-out option for Gmail users. The page clearly states that users will be able to change a Gmail address ending in “@gmail.com,” marking a major shift from Google’s earlier stance. What has caught the attention of many observers is that this support documentation is currently visible only in Hindi, leading to speculation that Indian users may be part of the initial rollout or early testing phase.
According to the support details, changing a Gmail address will not affect the underlying Google account. All existing data, including emails, photos, documents, chats, and subscriptions, will remain exactly the same. Instead of being deleted, the old Gmail address will be converted into an alias. This means that emails sent to both the old and new addresses will continue to arrive in the same inbox, ensuring a smooth transition without disruptions.
Google also explains that the account email plays a key role in identifying users across its services. With this update, users can finally replace an outdated or unprofessional Gmail ID with a new one, while keeping full access to their account history. However, the change does come with certain limitations. Once a new Gmail address is selected, users will not be able to modify or delete it for the next 12 months. Additionally, while the old address remains reserved for the user, it cannot be used to create a brand-new Gmail account during this period.
There are also limits on how often this change can be made. Each account will be allowed to change its Gmail address up to three times, resulting in a maximum of four Gmail addresses over the lifetime of the account. Google has also noted that some older data, such as previously created calendar events, may continue to display the original email address for some time before fully updating across all services. Users will still be able to send emails using the old address, which adds another layer of flexibility.
The discovery of this feature was reportedly shared within the Google Pixel Hub Telegram community, and its early appearance in Hindi suggests the page may have gone live sooner than intended. While the feature is not yet active for users, the level of detail in the documentation strongly indicates that Google is close to launching it publicly.
If introduced, users will be able to initiate the Gmail address change from the “My Account” section in their Google settings. For millions of users who created their Gmail IDs years ago without realising how permanent and important they would become, this update could be a significant relief and a long-awaited quality-of-life improvement.
