Google is finally introducing a way for users to change their Gmail addresses ending with @gmail.com, just in time for the new year.
A page on the company’s help center was recently updated with new rules for changing email addresses, outlining a way that would let users keep the familiar @gmail.com ending.
The update was first spotted by users in a “Google Pixel Hub” Telegram group, who noticed the changes on the Hindi-language version of the help page.
“The ability to change your Google Account email address is being rolled out gradually to all users, so this option may not be available to you yet,” a translated version of the page reads.
As that message suggests, it’s fair to assume the feature will eventually roll out to users around the world.
The updated language appears on nearly all versions of the page in other languages, including Spanish, French, and Japanese. The English-language version, however, has not yet been updated.
“If your account’s email address ends in @gmail.com, you usually can’t change it,” the English version still states.
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Gizmodo.
In the support pages that have been updated, Google says, “If your Google Account email address ends in gmail.com, you may be able to change it to another address that ends in @gmail.com.”
That would allow people who have outgrown their original Gmail address or just want a fresh start to switch to a new email without worrying about losing any data tied to their account.
Google says that once users change their email address, the old one will be converted into an alternate email address. Users will receive emails sent to both the old and new addresses, and they can still use the previous address whenever they want. Both addresses can be used to sign in to popular Google services like Maps, YouTube, and Drive. The data associated with the account, including photos and messages, will not be affected.
There are some limits, though. Google says that once you make the switch, you won’t be able to create another new Gmail address for the same account for 12 months.
If you’re in one of the regions with an updated help page, you can check whether you’re eligible by visiting myaccount.google.com/google-account-email and clicking on “Personal information” in the upper-left corner. From there, click on “Email,” then “Google Account email address.” If the option is available to you, you should see a button that says “Change Google Account email.” Clicking it will prompt you to enter the new username you want.
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