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For more than a decade, Gmail addresses have been a form of permanent digital identity for millions around the world. However, a Google support page published in Hindi last month hinted that the tech giant could soon allow Gmail users to change their email address ending with “@gmail.com”.
The same support page has now appeared in English, indicating that its earlier publication was not a mistake. While Gmail addresses themselves couldn’t be modified, the teh giant did allow account email changes for users who signed up with third-party email addresses.
“If you choose, you can change your Google Account email that ends in gmail.com to a new address that ends in gmail.com,” reads the support page. It goes on to say that your previous Google Account email will still be functional and become an alternate email address.
Once the transition is complete, users will get emails to both old and new addresses, but data tied to their Google account, such as Photos, messages and email,s won’t be affected. Google says it will also allow users to revert to their old email address at any time, but they won’t be able to create a new Google Account ending with @gmail for the next year.
And while the new account can’t be deleted, users will be able to sign in to Google services like Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Play Store and Drive using both new and old addresses.
To see if you can change your Google Account email, head over to “myaccount.google.com/google-account-email” from your favourite desktop browser, and sign in. When done, tap on the option named “Personal info” at the top left and click on Email> Google Account email. Under this section, click on the “Change Google Account email” button. If the option is not available, Google says the feature isn’t live for your account.
Google says some issues may arise if you change your Gmail username. For example, Google app settings may automatically reset, and Gmail may revert to the default background. However, this can be personalised to your liking after the change. The ability to change Gmail usernames is still rolling out for users, so it may take some time before the feature is available for your account.
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