On June 26, 2026, Google introduced the long-awaited feature to change one’s Gmail address in Germany and Brazil. For the first time, users can update their usernames before the @ symbol without having to abandon their existing account with all its data. The rollout in the USA had already begun in the spring of the same year.
Say Goodbye to Embarrassing Youth Addresses
If you signed up for Gmail over 20 years ago, you might be familiar with the dilemma. The username you chose back then often feels inappropriate or unprofessional today. Until now, the only option was to create a completely new account, bringing along all the hassle that entails. But that’s changing now.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized that while the year 2004 was significant for the service’s launch, users should not be bound to names they chose decades ago. The new feature allows users to change the part of their email address that appears before the @gmail.com domain.
How to Make the Change
The address change is integrated into Google’s account management system. Users need to navigate to the “Personal Data” tab and select the “Email” section under “Google Account Email.” Once the change is confirmed, the old address doesn’t disappear; it is automatically saved as an alternative email or alias. Messages sent to the old address will continue to arrive in the primary inbox.
All data remains intact: Google Drive, photos, and contact lists are unaffected by the change. However, for Google Workspace users, there is a limitation: the feature is disabled by default and requires administrator approval to be accessed.
For those wanting to rid themselves of an unprofessional Gmail address, a step-by-step guide outlines all the necessary steps—from changing it in the account management settings to a checklist for managing the aftermath. Get Your Free Guide Now
Clear Limits: Change Only Once a Year
Google has established clear rules for the new feature. Users can change their primary email address only once every twelve months. Additionally, there is a cap of three changes per account, allowing a total of four different addresses.
Security measures prevent previously deleted usernames from being reassigned. Furthermore, after changing their address, users are prohibited from opening another new @gmail.com account for twelve months. Chromebook users may need to manually re-add their account to the device after the change to ensure synchronization.
Less Storage for New Accounts
Alongside the introduction of the address change feature, more changes are emerging within the Gmail ecosystem. In some regions, Google is reportedly testing a reduction in free storage space for new accounts from 15 to 5 gigabytes. To unlock the full 15 GB, new users must provide a phone number. Existing accounts are not affected by this test.
Many users fear data loss when changing their email address, yet all data—including Drive, photos, and contacts—will remain unchanged. This guide illustrates how you can switch your address without losing anything. Avoid Data Loss – Request Your Guide
The End of Notion Mail
Another significant shift involves third-party integrations: the service Notion is discontinuing its special Gmail client “Notion Mail” on September 22, 2026. The company explains that the majority of users now rely on automated agents for correspondence management. Emails will still be accessible directly through Gmail, but Notion recommends backing up drafts and exporting customized mailbox configurations before the September deadline. Users subject to strict US health privacy regulations (HIPAA) will have an earlier transition deadline of June 30, 2026.
