If you’re embarrassed every time you have to hand over that Gmail address you came up with in 2006, you’re in luck. Google is finally allowing users to change their Gmail username without creating an entirely new account.
The update will allow you to edit your email address to any that isn’t taken. Until now, Google only offered the option to create an alternate email and forward your mail to a new @gmail.com address. But, if you wanted any of your documents, pictures, or other media, then it required you to transfer all the data over—a process that is far from smooth.
Now, Google is offering the ability to keep all of that information, whether you’ve changed your name, need a more professional address, or just want something new.
There are a few caveats, however. Google has yet to make an official announcement about where exactly this new feature will be available. Right now, the support page appears to only be available in Hindi, so it might start in India.
Fast Company has reached out to Google for more details on the location and timeline.
How to change your Gmail address
If you already have the desired username as an alternative email, you will have to delete it first to add it as your primary account. You should also still have the original email address, with it acting as an alias of sorts. Basically, all correspondence sent to that username should still appear in your inbox and you should be able to use it for Google services, including Drive and YouTube.
It also appears that once you choose a new username, you will be stuck with it for at least 12 months.
You can check whether the update is available on Gmail a few different ways. On your computer, you can:
- Click on your Google account
- On the left, tap Personal info
- Choose Email
- Then, try to select Google account email
If the last option isn’t available, then you likely don’t have access to this update as of now.
Checking for the feature on your Apple or Android devices is quite similar. For the former, you start by opening the Gmail app and clicking your profile picture or initial. On an Android device, get to the same page by going to your settings app, choosing Google, and then your name.
From there, on both Apple and Android devices, you can:
- Click Manage your Google Account
- Tap Personal info
- Click Email
- Select Google Account email
Again, if the last option doesn’t work, you likely can’t change your username yet.
If you do have the option to change your email address, then you will see an edit option next to it. From there, you just have to enter a new and available username and you’ll be off to a much less embarrassing future.