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Google is now allowing users to change their embarrassing Gmail usernames with a new update. The feature is currently onlly available to users in the US
Google now allows users to change their usernameGoogle is finally giving users the ability to get rid of their embarassing Gmail usernames with its latest update. In a blogpost on Tuesday, the tech giant said that it has been working on the update since last year to ‘help your account grow with you’ and the feature is now available to all users in the US.
Google parent Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai talked about the feature in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “2004 was a good year, but your Gmail address doesn't need to be stuck in it.”
“To say goodbye to v0t3f0rp3dr02004@gmail.com or mrbrightside416@gmail.com (or whatever you were into at the time), go to your Google Account settings and choose any name available. You'll keep your old username and you can sign in with both.” Pichai added
How does Google's latest update works?
After the latest update, Google now allows users to change their Gmail username which is the part before @gmail.com on your user name. Google says you can swap out your old username for any available @gmail.com address while keeping your entire account history intact.
The company also adds that despite changing your username your account won't be affected and photos, messages and emails will be sent to your previous email address. Google says that the previous email will automatically become an alternative email address, meaning you will continue to receive messages messages directed to both your old and new addresses in the same inbox.
Google says users can sign in to Google services like Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Google Play or Drive using either their old or new email address.
However, the caveat here is that Google only allows changing email address once every 12 months and up to a maximum of three times in total. Google says users also have the option of switching back to their old email address at any time.
How can you change your Gmail username?
- Open the Google Account settings and select the "Personal info" tab.
- Click on “Email” and then select “Google Account email”
- If your account is eligible for the update, you will see the "Change Google Account email" option. Click on it.
- Enter your preferred new username. You need to choose a username that isn't being used by any other Google account and was wasn't used by someone in the past either
Google recommends backing up the data in order to ensure that you are protected in case of any issue while updating the email address.
About the Author
Aman Gupta
Aman Gupta is a Digital Content Producer at LiveMint with over 3.5 years of experience covering the technology landscape. He specializes in artificial intelligence and consumer technology, reporting on everything from the ethical debates around AI models to shifts in the smartphone market. <br> His reporting is grounded in first-hand testing, independent analysis, and a focus on how technology impacts everyday users. He holds a PG Diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi (Class of 2022). <br> Outside the newsroom, he spends his time reading biographies, hunting for the perfect coffee beans, or planning his next trip. <br><br> You can find Aman on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aman-gupta-894180214">LinkedIn</a> and on X at <a href="https://x.com/nobugsfound">@nobugsfound</a>, or reach him via email at <a href="aman.gupta@htdigital.in">aman.gupta@htdigital.in</a>.
English (US) ·