Following a recent report which revealed that Google may soon allow free Gmail account users to choose a new username, Google has now officially confirmed its rollout in the USA.
Read more about it below.
As mentioned, Google, in a blog post, has officially confirmed that Gmail users whose email ends with @gmail.com, including those on the free plan, will now be able to change their username. Some users might have doubts regarding what will happen to the older email; well, it will continue to remain with the user, and no one else will be able to claim it. For those who are unaware, a similar feature is already available for paid Google Workspace accounts. In which users can have multiple aliases and emails sent to them will land in the same mailbox.
Speaking more, the newly created username cannot be changed again for the next 12 months, and the original username will remain as an alternative. But paid Google Workspace account users are allowed to make multiple changes to their username.
As stated above, this feature is currently rolling out to Gmail users across the USA. While the official announcement page does not mention anything regarding a global rollout, it is expected to arrive in other regions as well, including India. Additionally, as per a Google support page (Hindi), users whose email ends with @gmail will be able to change their alias up to three times, with a gap of 12 months between each change.
Here is how you can change it via your desktop/mobile device:
Visit myaccount.google.com/google-account-email using your smartphone or computer, and sign in if prompted.
At the top, tap on “Personal info”, then “Email”, and then “Google Account email”.
Under “Google Account Email”, tap on “Change Google Account email address”.
After this, enter your new alias, which cannot be changed again for the next 12 months.
Follow the on-screen instructions, confirm, and submit.
Stay tuned for more updates!
