Google Rolls Out Feature That Allows Select Users To Change Their Email Address And Keep Their Data – AfroTech
Has the time finally arrived to change the user address of a Google email account?
The tech giant shared a hopeful update just in time for the holidays. The New York Times reports that, although users had previously been able to change their email usernames, if they wanted to keep their data and services such as Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Play, or Google Drive, the address had to remain unchanged.
Some users have now been able to change the address for all their accounts ending in @gmail.com, while still having access to their data, such as photos, messages, and emails, unlike before.
The feature is not available to all users yet. It appears only on the Hindi-language version of Google’s support page, suggesting it may be available first in India or Hindi-speaking markets for now, according to CNBC.
“The ability to change your Google Account email address is gradually rolling out to all users, so this option may not be available to you right now,” according to an English translation of Gmail’s Hindi language support page, per The New York Times. This message is also stated in other languages on Google’s help center.
There are some limitations around the feature. It would only be for individual accounts and not apply to Google accounts established by employers, schools, or other groups. Additionally, users can change their username only once every 12 months and only up to three times in their lifetime. Users are also not permitted to delete their new email address.
Steps To Change Email
For users to confirm if they have access to the new feature, they must go to their Google account, click “Manage Your Google Account,” and then “Personal Info.” Once they select their Google account address, if this option is available it will show up as “Change your Google Account email address,” per the Los Angeles Times. According to Google’s support page, if users cannot open this setting, they likely will not be able to change their address.
